Technical Officer, Influenza Surveillance

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Thursday 24 Mar 2022 at 22:59 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 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:

  1. Provide technical support for, facilitate, and follow up on the implementation of the program of work related to the surveillance of influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses (ORV);
  2. Provide technical support to select countries for the planning, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of programs of work related to the preparedness and control of influenza, COVID-19, and diseases caused by ORV;
  3. Lead technical cooperation with national and global counterparts on studies related to the disease burden of influenza and COVID-19;
  4. Design and coordinate projects on epidemiological surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus and ORV;
  5. Serve as the team’s focal point in the evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines;
  6. Consolidate information generated by the countries on the epidemiological and virological situation of influenza and other respiratory viruses;
  7. Collaborate in the development and implementation of training materials on influenza and ORV surveillance, including providing training to Ministry of Health officers on surveillance systems;
  8. Collaborate in the monitoring and evaluation of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) surveillance systems at national and local levels, including through country missions;
  9. Prepare reports and epidemiologic summaries on influenza and ORV activity in the Region;
  10. Collaborate in the development of surveillance guidelines, regional epidemiologic analyses and contribute to the development of tools and systems to share data in systematized and automated methods (e.g. FluID);
  11. Provide technical guidance and training on Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Severity Assessments;
  12. Provide technical support for the Americas Influenza Surveillance network (SARInet), including through the preparation of the quarterly technical newsletter and organizing the quarterly technical webinar;
  13. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

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

Desirable: A master’s degree in epidemiology of infectious diseases or 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: Seven years of combined national and international experience working in epidemiology of communicable diseases, including surveillance of influenza and other respiratory diseases.

Desirable: Experience working with the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and carrying out studies on disease burden of influenza and/or COVID-19 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****: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Write effectively/Listen/Shares knowledge - 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. As for errors; learns from experience.
  • 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 expertise and skills in communicable diseases epidemiology and disease burden studies.
  • Organizational and analytical skills for filtering and managing epidemiological data.
  • Ability to analyze technical information and synthesize inputs from multiple sources.
  • Ability to integrate managerial and administrative inputs into recommendations for decision-making.
  • Excellent database management and reporting skills.
  • 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, Outlook and SharePoint. Excellent database management, web-based applications skills, and knowledge of advanced health statistical packages (such as, in R and Python programming languages) would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

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

USD $ 62,692.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 54.1% of the above figure(s). This percentage 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 fill other similar positions at the same grade level****.

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 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/WHO 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/WHO 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 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/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (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. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.

Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

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

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 organization purposes.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: who.int