Technical Officer, Disease Prevention and Control & Risk Factors

Contract

This is a NO-B contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-B contracts.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

PAHO Country Offices are responsible for ensuring that the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) country program of technical cooperation and its country presence provides adequate support to the national health development process and, at the same time, enables countries to shape the subregional, regional, and global health agendas. The PAHO/WHO Country Office is the basic organizational unit for technical cooperation with the country/ies, drawing on PAHO/WHO resources from all levels and all parts of the Organization.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and other institutions of the national health system in the formulation of guidelines, protocols and the identification of risk factors, methods and technologies, monitoring and evaluation of information in relation to the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases (TB, RAM, FLU, Hearts, IHR, IA among others);
2. Provide technical support for the development and implementation of programs for the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases with emphasis on the strengthening of local health services to implement program activities;
3. Collaborate in the application of epidemiological concepts, principles and methods for the planning, programming, administration and evaluation of disease surveillance, prevention and control programs;
4. Collaborate in the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan and the Biennial Work Plan (BWP);
5. Collaborate in the development and strengthening of human resources in communicable and non-communicable diseases at all levels of the health services, and cooperate in their continuing education;
6. Disseminate appropriate and relevant scientific and technical information;
7. Assist with the promotion and coordination of research on communicable and non-communicable diseases at all levels of the health system and in teaching institutions;
8. Assist in the development of national information systems and epidemiological surveillance of communicable and non-communicable diseases;
9. Assist with the development and strengthening of laboratory activities in support of communicable disease control;
10. Participate in strengthening national basic capacities for the surveillance and response to events of public health importance required by the International Health Regulations (IHR);
11. Provide support for the response to emergency situations in public health, in accordance with established procedures for health emergencies;
12. Support the preparation and response plans for the risk of viruses with pandemic potential;
13. Collaborate in obtaining extra budgetary funds by assisting national authorities in the preparation of communicable and non-communicable diseases control project proposals for the appropriate national, bilateral and international financial agencies for research and for health services capacity building;
14. Promote collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the academic sector to strengthen the MOH's capacity to monitor programmatic progress and the impact of public health interventions;
15. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health science from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A master’s degree in public health 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: Five years of national professional experience working in health programs, epidemiology and disease prevention and control programs and/or the administration of health services related to communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Desirable: Practical and managerial experience in the operational aspects of prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable disease programs 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. - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.
• 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****: Shares knowledge - Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.
• Knowing and managing yourself: Manages stress/Invite feedback/Continuously learn - Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.
• Producing Results****: Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines 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 - Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of epidemiological methods, information systems, and biostatistics and their relation to communicable and non-communicable diseases.
• Professional expertise in preventive public health, epidemiological research, communicable and non-communicable diseases and health services.
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control.
• Knowledge and skills in providing technical support for the development of programs, plans and projects.
• Organizational and analytical skills to effectively facilitate bridging of technical and programmatic gaps.
• Capacity to prepare evidence-based reports and documents to be used by key decision makers.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills in English or Spanish, 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 with a working knowledge of English.

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 Visio, epi info, SPSS, Microsoft SharePoint, and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

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

COL $188,044,000.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Local Recruitment)

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level****.

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.

PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (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.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

Candidates must hold a permanent local working visa (citizenship or permanent residency) of Colombia.

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 organizational purposes.