Technical Officer, Antimicrobial Resistance Molecular Surveillance

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 127,053 USD and 166,365 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 environmental 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 and quality at all levels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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

1. Provide technical support for the planning, implementation and monitoring of activities for the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Special Program, with specific emphasis on enhanced surveillance of antimicrobial resistance to facilitate implementation of the Organization’s program of work;
2. Develop surveillance strategies and protocols to foster the implementation and/or scaling up of molecular technologies for characterization of resistance mechanisms in humans, the environment, veterinary and food production within the framework of “One Health”, in collaboration with other relevant teams in the Organization;
3. Provide technical support and practical recommendations to National Reference Laboratories for the implementation of phenotypic and genotypic AMR diagnosis and characterization;
4. Liaise with PANAFTOSA to support countries in the implementation of AMR integrated surveillance using food, animal and human microbiology data;
5. Provide technical support to Member States for AMR surveillance as a tool for the monitoring and evaluation of their National Action Plans, enhancing the use of laboratory methods or procedures, interpreting, and communicating laboratory results of public health importance to appropriate stakeholders;
6. Develop and conduct training and mentoring programs in microbiological laboratory and surveillance for health care personnel to strengthen AMR surveillance, including the promotion of technology transfer, including but not limited to Whole Genome Sequencing and mass spectrometry;
7. Foster molecular microbiology capacity in Member States through strategies aimed at the adequate provision of reagents and equipment, specifically in the identification of products, estimation of needs, and response to technical queries from the Procurement Department and/or technical focal points at country level;
8. Develop strategies for the integration of information on phenotypic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and the results of molecular techniques with a focus on public health decision making;
9. Explore and define management system models to guarantee the quality and timeliness of the information provided by new technologies;
10. Assist technically in the development of public-private models for the production and use of the results of molecular techniques for the development of vaccines, antimicrobials, food production strategies, soil bioremediation, etc.;
11. Contribute to the development of interprogrammatic work aimed at strengthening capacity on the use of molecular techniques for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, including the use of whole-genome sequencing;
12. Support the development and dissemination of AMR surveillance data and reports in open access platforms;
13. Support the implementation of projects funded by voluntary contributions of donors such as, but not limited to, European Commission and US - Centers of Disease Prevention and Control;
14. Contribute to technical committees and international scientific fora to discuss laboratory standards to ensure valid and comparable AMR data in the Region;
15. Assist in the preparation and / or review of technical documents, and contribute to reports concerning laboratory networks;
16. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related science, clinical laboratory science, laboratory medicine or any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree in microbiology, molecular microbiology, epidemiology, public health or related field 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: Seven years of combined national and international experience in activities related to the application of laboratory technologies, training and research related to human infectious diseases, and implementation of molecular microbiology techniques in academic or public health laboratories.

Desirable: Experience in molecular microbiology techniques for AMR detection and monitoring 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.
• Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others / Deal effectively with conflict. Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams, establishing good personal and professional relationships, as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize 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.
• 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.
• Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Prioritizes work, monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary. Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own time lines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.
• 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.

Technical Expertise:

• Technical and professional expertise and skills in antimicrobial resistance detection, issues and trends, epidemiological theory, principles and practices, molecular surveillance detection of resistance mechanisms, information systems, and procedures.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of international technical cooperation, with emphasis on the negotiation and management of international cooperation programs and projects; knowledge and skills in providing technical support for the development of programs, plans and projects.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on key technical issues.
• Ability to integrate managerial and technical inputs into recommendations for decision-making processes; ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of epidemiological situation reports, funding proposals, 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 French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

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

REMUNERATION

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

US$5,224.33 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment****:

US$2,518.13 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.
• 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 encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.