Technical Officer, Influenza Surveillance

Contract

This is a P-2 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 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 98,139 USD and 133,297 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 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 guidance of the Unit Chief, Infectious Hazards Management (PHE/IHM), and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Epidemic-prone Diseases Epidemiology (PHE/IHM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Provide support for the implementation of activities for the management and analysis of all epidemiological and virologic surveillance data on influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses (ORV) received from Member States;

b) Monitor the submission of country surveillance data to PAHO FluID and FluNet, liaising with countries to correct issues and ensuring timeliness, accuracy and completeness of submissions;

c) Develop analytic dashboards and reports using PAHO FluID and FluNet data and integrating other surveillance data available within the Department, including on monitoring and evaluation of surveillance sites based on performance indicators and on country reporting to regional and global levels;

d) Provide technical support and collaborate with country counterparts to ensure the development of the weekly epidemiological report summarizing the situation of influenza and other respiratory viruses in the Americas;

e) Coordinate the internal processes for the publication of a biennial landscape analysis of influenza/ORV surveillance systems in the Region, including data collection, cleaning and analysis as well as publication;

f) Participate in the development of the SARInet technical newsletter on a regular basis, ensuring that pertinent regional issues are highlighted, and disseminate to stakeholders on a timely basis;

g) Contribute to the development and implementation of technical workshops to strengthen the regional surveillance network, in particular for country trainings on tools for surveillance data collection, analysis and dissemination;

h) Assist with epidemiological analyses of large influenza surveillance data sets;

i) Provide technical support to countries on studies related to disease burden of influenza and COVID-19; serve as the technical liaison between the influenza team and select national counterparts for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the program of work related to the prevention and control of influenza, COVID-19 and ORV;

j) Liaise with technical counterparts of the PIP Framework on matters related to influenza data reporting as well as deployment of pandemic influenza products;

k) Participate in the Organization’s emergency and disaster response operations, as required;

l) Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for PHE/IHM personnel as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

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

Desirable: A master’s degree in medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, public health or epidemiology 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: Five years of combined national and international experience in the management of public health surveillance data, including experience managing large datasets from communicable disease surveillance.

Desirable: Experience working within the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and carrying out studies on epidemiologic or disease burden studies of influenza 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.

- 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:

Technical expertise and skills in communicable diseases epidemiology.

- Theoretical and practical knowledge of methodologies and best practices for the surveillance of influenza and ORV.

- Excellent data base management and reporting skills.

- Organizational and analytical skills for filtering and managing epidemiological data.

- Ability to analyze technical information and synthesize inputs from multiple sources.

- Ability to integrate scientific and operational inputs into recommendations for decision-making.

- 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 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 statistical packages and data visualization platforms are desirable.

REMUNERATION

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

US$4,067.08 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment****:

US$2,017.27 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 for other similar short-term positions at the same 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.
• 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.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.