Advisor, Veterinary Public Health

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 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 Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA) is a specialized Center and part of the Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). PANAFTOSA promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation aimed at strengthening policies, programs and plans on the (a) prevention, surveillance and elimination of zoonotic diseases which negatively impact human and animal health, including envenoming; (b) improvement of food safety systems for the prevention and risk reduction of foodborne diseases and antimicrobial resistance in the food animal production chain; and, (c) implementation of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Center Director, Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA), and the direct supervision and technical guidance of the Advisor, Zoonosis and Veterinary Public Health, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical cooperation to Member States for the strengthening of surveillance, prevention, control and elimination of zoonotic diseases, including planning, managing, monitoring and evaluation of resources;
2. Provide technical advice to Member States for the development and implementation of national and regional strategies in accordance with Regional and Global policies and by interpreting and adapting the existing broadly stated guidelines or, when necessary, developing new guidelines and procedures;
3. Provide technical guidance and advice for the implementation of national, subregional and regional technical cooperation on surveillance, prevention, control and elimination of zoonotic diseases, including activities included in the workplans of technical cooperation agreements with countries;
4. Mobilize partnerships with other international organizations, national agencies and other relevant stakeholders, with the aim of coordinating public health and animal health actions for managing risks at the human-animal interface and promoting local development;
5. Implement VPH technical cooperation to support One Health activities and plans by coordinating with strategic stakeholders, and upholding PANAFTOSA’s leadership role on VPH technical cooperation in the Region;
6. Coordinate with other relevant technical departments for the development and implementation of surveillance, prevention, control and eradication of zoonotic and animal diseases with high impact on public health in the region;
7. Foster collaboration between the Organization and other international and national scientific or professional groups; collaborate with other international and regional organizations to achieve efficient coordination of activities and utilization of resources;
8. Coordinate the development, implementation and utilization of disease surveillance systems at regional level;
9. Promote the mobilization of resources from both the public health and animal health sectors, including preparation of project proposals for external funding;
10. Collaborate in the development and implementation of innovative training with national institutions to transfer technology to national personnel on methods and techniques in veterinary public health, including public health and animal health administrations;
11. Collaborate in designing, conducting and evaluating technical cooperation research projects, with emphasis on quantitative epidemiology and risk assessment;
12. Facilitate technical cooperation between countries, particularly in border areas;
13. Prepare and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical reports, policy documents and position papers based on the results of field interventions, and epidemiological and socioeconomic studies;
14. 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;
15. 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;
16. 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, veterinary public health, microbiology, or any other field related to the functions of the position from a recognized university.

Desirable: Specialization in veterinary epidemiology, risk analysis, management of animal or veterinary public health programs 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 combined national and international experience in veterinary public health programs involving the surveillance, prevention, control and elimination of zoonotic and animal diseases with high impact on public health, and in the application of epidemiological principles and methods for disease surveillance and control.

Desirable: Experience in technical cooperation with international organizations and programs.

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 expertise in all aspects related to principles, practices, and recent developments in zoonotic and animal diseases with high impact in public health, with emphasis on the application of epidemiology.
• Expertise in principles, practices, and recent developments in the surveillance, prevention, control and elimination of zoonotic and animal diseases with high impact in public health, with special emphasis on risk analysis and One Health approaches.
• Technical competence and leadership qualities on the principles and application of standard and innovative practices, methods and techniques in the field of zoonotic and animal diseases with high impact in public health.
• Ability to transfer knowledge and technology to national counterparts and to promote the adoption and/or application of appropriate knowledge and technology that would be responsive to the different social, cultural, and economic realities in the countries.
• Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria for evaluating program interventions on veterinary public health.
• Ability to analyze current surveillance systems and capability to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for improvement.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, conceptual, interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on key political and technical issues.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

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

IT Skills:

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

REMUNERATION

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

USD $75,602.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 29.8% 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.