Advisor, Virologic Surveillance of Arboviral Diseases

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 154,831 USD and 199,622 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, zoonosis, and environmental/occupational threats to health that are technically sound and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented. It 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-country collaboration, and facilitating policy and decision-making processes.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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

1. Provide advice, guidance and technical support for the implementation of the Integrated Management Strategy for the prevention and control of arboviral diseases (IMS-Arbovirus) by promoting the strengthening of national capacities in virological surveillance and diagnosis;
2. Develop and implement measures to strengthen the laboratory component of IMS-Arbovirus throughout the Region;
3. Provide technical guidance and support Member States in implementing/expanding virological surveillance of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in mosquitos, in coordination with PAHO’s Advisor on Public Health Entomology;
4. Provide advice and support the evaluation process of the IMS-Arbovirus at country level, particularly in the laboratory component;
5. Provide guidance and support to strengthen and improve epidemiological surveillance in the virological laboratory component;
6. Coordinate the selection process of basic virological indicators and their integration into multivariate analysis to improve decision-making in prevention and control of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika;
7. Periodically update and analyze regional laboratory information and support the preparation of regional situation analysis bulletins;
8. Support the coordination of the Arbovirus diagnosis laboratory network of the Americas (REDLA);
9. Support and coordinate ongoing activities with the PHE Virology team to enhance joint efforts in diagnosis and capacity building of RELDA laboratories, especially in this post-pandemic period when the activity was severely affected;
10. Support national training activities in coordination with the PHE virology team;
11. Support other topics of interest related to the laboratory component in the Region such as virtual meetings, face-to-face meetings, field visits, as well as other activities that arise as a result of technical cooperation;
12. Collaborate with PHE Virology team in the evaluation of supplies needed for the surveillance of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, as well as provide technical advice on the selection of suppliers;
13. Contribute to the development of technical documents, reports, presentations, and publications and collaborate on the planning and organization of meetings, conferences, and strategic events;
14. Participate in the preparation of work plans, and technical and financial reports;
15. Collaborate, support, and strengthen coordination among donors, partners, WHO Collaborating Centers, and PAHO to advance technical cooperation to Member States;
16. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A university degree in a health-related profession and a master’s degree in microbiology or in any other area related to the functions of the post, from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A medical degree or specialized training in laboratory work for the prevention and control of dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and other arboviral diseases 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/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 in public health and virology, including practical experience implementing infectious disease prevention and control of surveillance programs at national and/or subnational level.

Desirable: Experience working in implementing most up-to-date virology methods and techniques for surveillance and diagnosis of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika diseases, 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 expertise at the highest levels in relevant aspects related to virology and public health practice of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
• Thorough knowledge of scientific principles and methods, and modern and effective tools and administrative procedures for the prevention, management, control, and analysis of virological information of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
• Technical competence and leadership qualities on the principles and application of public policy, standard practices, methods, and techniques in the field of communicable diseases, mainly dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
• Technical and managerial competence in public health programs and resource mobilization, including grant writing.
• Strong analytical and technical skills to critically write and /or interpret reports and scientific publications, and lead program monitoring, evaluation, and implementation.
• Strong interpersonal skills: diplomacy, tact, and ability to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders government officials, community-based, faith-based, and civil society not-for-profit organizations; and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the ability to develop reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
• Strong public health knowledge of the situation in countries of the Americas, particularly on dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
• Ability to promote and facilitate the selective study/transfer of technology and promotion/use of appropriate technology/tools that would be responsive to the different social, cultural, and economic realities in the affected countries.
• Ability to develop and coordinate partnerships and networks, including government-based, across sectors, alliance building, and advocacy, to support regional efforts towards the prevention, control, and analysis of information on communicable diseases with an emphasis on dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or 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 Office, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, etc., are considered essential.

REMUNERATION

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

US$6,443.83 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment****:

US$4,091.83 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

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates to fill other similar short-term professional positions, at the same grade level.
• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this position as a form of screening.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
• 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 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 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 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.