Technical Officer, Epidemic Alert and Response

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Wednesday 31 Mar 2021 at 21:59 UTC

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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.

Salary for a P-3 contract in Washington D.C.

The international rate of 74,649 USD, with an additional 70.2% (post adjustment) at this the location, applies. Please note that depending on the location, a higher post adjustment might still result in a lower purchasing power.

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.

More about P-3 contracts and their salaries.

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 objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Unit Chief, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (PHE/HIM), and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Detection, Verification and Risk Assessment (PHE/HIM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Provide technical support and collaborate in the systematic detection, verification and risk assessment of events which may be considered public health emergencies of international concern in the global context of public health, and a risk and/or threat based on the operational strategies and policies from the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005);

b) Provide technical support for the development of Epidemiological Alerts and Updates;

c) Register and monitor public health events in the WHO Event Management System (EMS), in accordance with public health regulations;

d) Collaborate with WHO Regional and Country Offices to collect, assess, and verify signals on potential public health emergencies of international concern, in line with the operational requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005);

e) Develop and monitor the implementation of competency-based training programs on epidemic alert and response;

f) Conduct statistical analyses of information generated by the Event Management System (EMS); analyze disease risk profiles, and participate in routine epidemiological reporting;

g) Participate in developing and conducting training activities on the Information System for Event Management (SIME) application;

h) Participate in developing and conducting training activities with Member States in Rapid Risk Assessment;

i) Collaborate in the dissemination of information on the occurrence of international public health events, as well as recommendations issued by the Organization to PAHO/WHO Representatives, national counterparts and the general public, including the internal dissemination of events via the publication of the Summary of Events, and the dissemination of Alerts to the international community via the Epidemiological Alert; transmit information to WHO to be posted in the WHO Event Information Site;

j) Participate in the duty officer system to ensure 24/7 coverage of urgent communications from Member States and Country Offices related to event detection, verification and risk assessment, ensuring that the information from such communications flows rapidly to appropriate offices/officers, and that necessary action is taken in a timely manner, especially during non-working hours;

k) Support the Organization’s emergency and disaster response operations team on outbreak response operations as required;

l) Perform other duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related science from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree in communicable diseases, public health, or a 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 working in epidemiology, communicable diseases, and public health. Demonstrated experience in epidemiology and surveillance of infectious diseases, complemented by experience in collection and verification of epidemic intelligence and international risk assessment.

Desirable: Experience in, or sound knowledge of PAHO and WHO processes for epidemic alert and response and IHR. Knowledge of statistical methods e.g. disease modeling for risk analysis would be an asset.

SKILLS****:

PAHO Competencies:

Key Behavioral 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: 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: 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: Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.

- Producing 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. Takes responsibility. 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.

- Setting an example: Works ethically to achieve individual work objectives under PAHO Regulation and Rules and the Standards of Conduct of the International Civil Service. Maintains confidentiality and treats sensitive information with discretion; ensures that policies and procedures are followed in accordance with the Organization’s professional, ethical and legal standards. When others behave in an unprofessional or unethical way, promotes appropriate standards and provides feedback in order to remedy the situation; escalates as necessary. Stands by own decisions and actions and accepts responsibility for them. Acts in an open and transparent manner when dealing with others; stands by own and team’s decisions and accepts responsibility for them. Acts to promote the Organization’s success.

- Moving forward in a changing environment: 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:

Knowledge and skills in the application of the principles of international health regulations as related to epidemic alert and response programs.

- Theoretical and practical knowledge of and skills in communicable disease epidemiology.

- Excellent data management and web-based applications skills.

- Organizational and analytical skills to assist in filtering epidemic intelligence for relevance and credibility.

- Ability to exercise tact, discretion and mature judgment; independently take initiative in procuring intelligence, and the ability to produce results under crisis situations.

- Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on key managerial and technical issues.

- Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of funding proposals, reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with 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, Outlook and SharePoint. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs as SIME, Instant Atlas, SPSS Epinfo, Stata, and Tableau, would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

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

US$5,080.17 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment****:

US$2,560.40 - 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. 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

  • 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.
  • Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
  • All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.
  • The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
Added 3 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: who.int