Advisor, Zoonotic Diseases and 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 (PANAFTOSA) is a specialized Center in Veterinary Public Health, 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 Director, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE), and the direct supervision of the Center Director, Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center (PANAFTOSA), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Develop and implement novel approaches and procedures (e.g. sustainable technical and scientific regional networks) for the delivery of technical cooperation on zoonotic diseases and envenoming, within the framework of the policies and strategies of the Organization, including the elimination of canine mediated rabies;
2. Act as the Advisor of the Organization on zoonotic diseases and envenoming and provide technical advice to Member States on development and implementation of regional strategies in accordance with Regional and Global policies and strategies and by interpreting and adapting the existing broadly stated guidelines or, when necessary, developing new guidelines and procedures;
3. Support the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) action plans with respect to zoonotic diseases surveillance and response capacities;
4. Promote inter-programmatic coordination with other technical entities within CDE and other relevant entities; participate in zoonotic diseases risk assessment, alert and response under IHR;
5. Coordinate the process of developing and implementing a regional strategic plan for zoonotic diseases and envenoming with the Organization’s Country Offices and national staff counterparts; optimize alignment with both the regional and global mandates and strategies and specificities of countries in the region;
6. Analyze the impact of the Organization’s technical cooperation on zoonotic diseases and envenoming on public health in the countries;
7. Promote research activities and capacity building in the areas of zoonotic diseases and veterinary public health;
8. Promote the mobilization of national and international resources in support of training, technical assistance and research activities which result in improvements in the management and structure of zoonotic disease programs;
9. Serve as a liaison, at both national and international levels, with governmental and non-governmental organizations, international organizations and agencies dealing with issues related to zoonotic diseases, Veterinary Public Health and One Health;
10. Coordinate the consolidation and preparation of reports on zoonotic diseases and envenoming (e.g. annual status reports), including programmatic indicators;
11. Collaborate in the development and implementation of integrated zoonotic disease surveillance and control systems within CDE and other relevant entities to support strategic and operational decision making related to the control of these health risks at international, national and local levels;
12. Prepare and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical reports, policy documents and position papers based on the results of epidemiological and socioeconomic studies;
13. Promote and collaborate in mobilizing national and international resources to facilitate the implementation of the regional mandates and plans at the national, subregional and local levels;
14. Establish and maintain collaborative networks involving national and international organizations, governmental and non-governmental institutions, academia, professional and scientific societies engaged in of zoonotic diseases, veterinary public health and One Health;
15. Collaborate in the development and strengthening of human resources for adequate planning, organizing and operating of programs specifically targeted at zoonotic diseases and veterinary public health programs at national, sub-national and local levels;
16. Collaborate in the preparation of the Strategic Plan and Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of the international cooperation projects, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic issues and performance assessment;
17. 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;
18. 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, microbiology, veterinary public health, or in a field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

Desirable: Specialization in veterinary epidemiology, risk analysis, management of animal or 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 leading and managing public health, animal health or zoonoses control programs, including experience leading and managing technical cooperation programs and activities in veterinary public health.

Desirable: Experience working in international organizations and programs and/or Inter-American Systems 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****: Share knowledge - 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.
• 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 related to principal and recent development in all aspects of zoonotic diseases, veterinary public health and One Health, including resource mobilization and training.
• Expertise and specialization in zoonotic diseases surveillance and control programs, epidemiology and planning in veterinary public health, statistical methods, preventive medicine, and disease control methods.
• 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 surveillance systems and capability to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for improvement
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, conceptual, interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on key political, technical and administrative 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, Portuguese and/or English, with a working knowledge of the other languages. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

IT Skills:

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

REMUNERATION

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

US $74,913.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 49.6% 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 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.