Technical Officer, Infection Prevention and Control

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 Heath Department (CDE) promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities directed toward the surveillance, prevention, control, and elimination of communicable diseases and zoonosis 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, and fostering alliances that strengthen country capacity, improve the effectiveness of inter-country collaboration, and facilitate policy and decision-making processes through improved health information coverage, analysis and quality at all levels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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

1. Provide technical support for the implementation of activities related to the Special Project on AMR; provide support for the surveillance and control of antimicrobial resistance and hospital infection to facilitate implementation of the Organization’s program of work;
2. Provide technical advice and support, in coordination with partners and counterparts, for the implementation of regional initiatives with the objective of improving and strengthening the capacities of the countries in decision-making for the prioritization of infection prevention and control interventions, based on the analysis of epidemiological information, health services capacities, and the risk of emerging antimicrobial resistance;
3. Provide technical input to establish and strengthen systems to facilitate implementation of administrative, environmental, and individual-level infection control practices (e.g. hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment) adapted to the current, local context, and aimed at effectiveness and sustainability of measures;
4. Support the reinforcement of surveillance systems in hospitals and health care facilities to ensure early detection of outbreaks;
5. Collaborate and contribute to the preparation and implementation of work plans on infection control interventions, including writing proposals and technical publications and reports;
6. Participate in team project development and execution of the work program and preparation of the biennial work plan (BWP) and budgets, work plans, progress reports, periodic analytical reports to donors, and related information documents;
7. Collaborate with the AMR Special Program in the planning and coordination of meetings, conferences, and strategic national and subregional events; prepare technical content, presentations, and agendas;
8. Contribute to the collection and analysis of relevant information, including surveys, and in the publication of technical reports, including articles intended for publication in scientific journals;
9. Collaborate in the improvement of national and regional disease surveillance and response, specifically the detection and reporting of antibiotic resistance;
10. Provide support for the development of procedures and guidelines for implementation, operation and evaluation of the hospital infection prevention and control systems and local AMR surveillance;
11. Liaise with WHO HQ/UHL/HIS/QOC, HQ/WPE/CRS and HQ/AMR/SPC in the development and implementation of global work plans for IPC, specifically in the context of AMR and outbreaks caused by multidrug resistant organisms;
12. Collaborate with other key stake holders, such as occupational health professionals, IPC focal points in PHE/IHM and HSS/HS and other teams in the Organization to facilitate compliance with and alignment of IPC recommendations;
13. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

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

Desirable: A medical or nursing degree with further specialization in infection prevention and control 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 infection prevention and control programs, and practical experience in adapting infection prevention and control guidance and training for health centre level, clinicians and healthcare workers.

Desirable: Experience in surveillance of healthcare associated infections 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 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. 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 expertise in infection prevention and control in health care settings, in particular those related to the challenges posed by multidrug resistant organisms.
• Familiarity with the strengths and limitations of infection prevention and control programs regarding associated infections to health care at the national and regional levels.
• 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.
• Ability to work as a member of a team as well as ability to work on own initiative.
• Ability to analyze technical information and synthesize inputs from multiple sources.
• 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 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, in particular for spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and information systems. 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$2,826.36 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.