Advisor, Diagnostic Virology

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 57,661 USD and 78,318 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 90,970 USD and 117,287 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health Department (CDE) promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities directed toward the surveillance, prevention, control, elimination and/or reduction of communicable diseases, zoonoses and food safety and environmental threats to health that are technically sound and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented. Through the Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA), CDE delivers technical cooperation on food safety, zoonotic and foodborne diseases, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). CDE strives to achieve a sustainable impact on health by providing normative guidance, furthering the implementation of evidence-based interventions, fostering alliances that strengthen country capacity, improving the effectiveness of inter[1]country collaboration, and facilitating policy and decision-making processes

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Center Director, PANAFTOSA and the general supervision of the Director, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Plan, organize, control and supervise the Center's WOAH Reference Laboratory products and services in the areas of laboratory management, diagnosis, vaccine quality control, research and training in diagnostic virology and immunology, as well as the production of laboratory materials/products and laboratory quality management systems;
2. Manage the day-to-day operations of the Center’s WOAH Reference Laboratory (biosafety level 4, WOAH standard);
3. Provide strategic leadership for the Center’s WOAH Reference Laboratory in the laboratory diagnosis in viral diseases, particularly in Foot-and[1]Mouth disease and Vesicular Stomatitis viruses;
4. Develop and maintain biological reference material in accordance with international quality standards, including those for production and distribution of laboratory reference materials, kits and sets;
5. Plan, organize and coordinate the implementation of laboratory proficiency test programs in the region following international quality standards;
6. Implement new methods using modern technology (including molecular and sequencing methods), applied to virology and immunology; adapt present techniques to ensure the Center's leadership in this area;
7. Provide technical cooperation in the design, planning, selection and acquisition of equipment as well as the operation, maintenance, biosafety and management of national diagnostic laboratories;
8. Plan, implement and contribute to research with national and international agencies to promote the control and elimination of FMD;
9. Maintain and improve the training programs at the Center or through alliances with other recognized institutions in the areas of laboratory techniques for viral diagnosis and characterization, sero-surveillance and vaccine quality control and laboratory bio risk management to ensure the transfer of technology to national personnel;
10. Prepare and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical reports, policy documents and position papers based on the results of epidemiological and socioeconomic studies;
11. Collaborate in the preparation of the Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation projects, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic issues and performance assessment;
12. When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities; m) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A university degree in a health-related science, and a master’s degree in virology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry or any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

Desirable: A PhD in virology, immunology, molecular biology, or biochemistry would be an asset.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO, only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience****:

Essential: Nine years of national and international progressive experience in diagnostic virology, immunology, serology and molecular biology, laboratory quality systems, as well as experience in the design, planning, execution and evaluation of research projects related to virology and diagnosis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and other vesicular diseases. Experience should include participation in international technical cooperation programs and activities in veterinary public health involving the diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of FMD, vesicular diseases, and/or animal viral diseases of economic importance.

Desirable: Experience in technical cooperation programs and activities in the Americas in the area of reference laboratory services (national or international) would be an asset.

SKILLS****:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
• Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
• Communication: Write effectively/Share knowledge - Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
• Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
• Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration - Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles and application of international standards applied to virology and immunology and laboratory quality.
• Expert theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles and recent developments in quality systems, virological, immunological, molecular and biosafety techniques, practices and procedures, as they apply to the antigenic/molecular and immunologic characterization of FMD, vesicular diseases and other viruses that cause diseases as these relate to diagnosis and epidemiology.
• Strong managerial, project monitoring and execution skills, including biosafety operational activities and inter-institutional collaboration.
• Technical expertise in research and training; expertise in virus characterization and vaccine quality control; transfer of technology in virus characterization, molecular diagnosis, including sequencing and vaccine quality control.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key technical issues.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of peer-reviewed manuscripts, reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary****: (Net of taxes)

USD $77,326.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 63.5% of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level****.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org

PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.

PAHO/WHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.

PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity. PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.

Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post. The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.