Advisor, Epidemiology and Health Emergencies

Contract

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 148,099 USD and 190,943 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 objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man- made, biological, chemical, radiological and others), and when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general guidance of the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR) and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Health Emergencies (PHE/HTI), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Advise, plan, develop, coordinate, and implement the programmatic workplan related to epidemiological surveillance, laboratory surveillance of epidemic- and pandemic-prone diseases, as well as outbreak investigation at national level in Haiti;
2. Provide technical recommendations for the implementation of prevention and control measures for diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential, particularly with regard to surveillance and response and in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR);
3. Provide technical cooperation related to the development of core capacities in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR- 2005), including the implementation of the recommendations related to the Joint External Evaluation (JEE);
4. Support the annual self-assessment of core capacities related to the IHR-2005;
5. Advise and support the institutional strengthening of epidemiologic surveillance, including the National Public Health Laboratory (LNSP), to provide timely and accurate information on diseases with epidemic potential including influenza and other severe acute respiratory diseases as well as those prevented by vaccination;
6. Provide technical advice and guidance to the Ministry of Health (MSPP) for the implementation of national strategies for the prevention, and if possible, the elimination of cholera;
7. Collaborate in the implementation and management of projects aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality from diseases with epidemic potential, as well as prepare project proposals to mobilize financial resources from international partner agencies;
8. Strengthen the Ministry of Health’s Department of Epidemiology (DELR)’s alert and response system, both at central and departmental level, to detect, characterize, deploy laboratory surveillance tools, and respond to epidemics;
9. Manage the production and timely dissemination of high-quality relevant data and information, including internal and external situation reports (SitReps), the bulletins, health risk assessments and health contributions to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP);
10. Contribute to the preparation and management of the Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and budgets, and periodic evaluation of projects;
11. Contribute to the coordination and communication with partners, with an emphasis on partners who are members of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) at country level;
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;
13. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related profession, and a master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, or control of infectious diseases from a recognized institution.

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/search/default.asp 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 combined national and international experience working in the field of epidemic-prone diseases and practical experience in the implementation of prevention and control programs, including surveillance at national and/or international levels. Experience in project management.

Desirable: Experience in the UN System with knowledge of inter-agency mechanisms in the area of health emergencies. Field experience in public health or emergency management programs in developing countries, including coordination of large-scale public health projects.

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: Express oneself clearly when speaking/ Listen / Write effectively/ Share knowledge. Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. 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.

Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Provide direction. Manages individual and group projects and ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clearly defined, understood and accepted; delegates work appropriately to achieve best results.

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.

Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change / Adapt to change. Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.

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.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical expertise at the highest level in all public health aspects related to prevention and control of diseases with epidemic potential, with a focus on outbreaks and response strategies.
• Ability to analyze surveillance systems and to develop and plan appropriate improvement measures.
• Ability to think strategically and to demonstrate initiative, leadership qualities, and skill in dealing with difficult situations; proven ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize, and make recommendations on technical issues.
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation, and analysis of the program and technical cooperation activities, including budget planning and execution as well as supervision of personnel.
• Ability to analyze and manage complex situations including the prioritization and planning of short and long term actions.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment in a country with a complex situation.
• Strong inter-personnel skills, diplomacy, and tact to communicate effectively with senior officials, multiple stakeholders, and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of French with a working knowledge of English or Spanish. Knowledge of additional languages, such as Haitian Creole, would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Tableau, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

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

US$6,242.75 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment****:

US$4,557.21 This amount 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

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• 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 committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.