Technical Officer, Malaria and Neglected Infectious Diseases (NIDs)

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.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 4,600 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 is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health Department (CDE) promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities directed toward the surveillance, prevention, control, and elimination of communicable diseases, zoonosis and environmental determinants of health 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 direct supervision of the Advisor, Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control, and the general supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative, the incumbent will be responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Collaborate and provide support for the strengthening of regulatory capacities in malaria and for the prevention, control, and elimination of Neglected Infectious Diseases (NIDs) in the country;
2. Provide support for the implementation of prevention, control, and elimination policies on malaria and NIDs; support the development of initiatives to strengthen the national Malaria and NIDs Programs;
3. Collaborate and support the activities and projects related to the control and elimination of malaria and NIDs, as agreed with the Ministry of Health and PAHO/WHO; act as Focal Point for the Cooperation Agreement between PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health, State and Municipal Health Secretariats; support and guide the preparation technical cooperation requests and the submission of documentation to PAHO;
4. Provide support to national authorities from different sectors for program definition and implementation, with the aim of reducing the transmission of malaria and NIDs, especially in vulnerable areas and during emergencies and pandemics;
5. Support the elaboration, execution and monitoring of research projects in partnership with research institutions on malaria and NIDs, in line with the Organization’s strategic plan and that of national institutions;
6. Identify issues to expand technical cooperation (needs, gaps, and resources); oversee/coordinate technical cooperation for malaria and NIDs-related projects and Terms of Cooperation between the responsible technical unit and partners for implementation at country level;
7. Support the innovation and implementation of epidemiological principles, methods and techniques in the planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of communicable disease programs;
8. Collaborate in the preparation of the Representation´s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of national technical cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical, and socioeconomic realities related to malaria and NIDs;
9. Coordinate and maintain continuity in the data collection of the projects’ baseline indicators, monitoring their implementation and execution, assessing the risks at each stage of execution;
10. Support the Unit Coordinator to implement and evaluate the overall performance of the Projects/Programs/Terms of Cooperation under his/her responsibility, and in mobilizing resources, financial and non-financial, by assisting national authorities in the preparation of project proposals and plans, and by facilitating cooperation;
11. Participate in national and regional technical working groups and meetings on malaria and NIDs, with respect to technologies and policies and regulatory reforms; promote the participation of the relevant departments of the Ministry of Health in the corresponding regional events;
12. Support the process of integrating malaria and NIDs control into the health system particularly at the primary level as it relates to issues of medicines and health technologies;
13. Promote and undertake key actions that favor the implementation of a Model to improve quality and access to timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment of malaria and NIDs, taking into consideration existing legislation and PAHO/WHO guidelines;
14. 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 public health, environmental science 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/ 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 professional experience in public health focused on the prevention, control, and elimination of malaria and NIDs.

Desirable: Working experience in multilateral organizations oriented to health cooperation in the field of malaria and NIDs 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.
• 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:

• Ability to design and develop project interventions; knowledge and skills in project planning, management, and evaluation, including resource mobilization and grant management.
• Strong knowledge and skills for regulatory capacity in the field of malaria and Neglected Infectious Diseases control, prevention, and elimination.
• Strong knowledge of national and international technical cooperation; ability to provide and support the implementation of public policies on communicable diseases, especially in the elimination of malaria and Neglected Infectious Diseases.
• Expertise in the development of technical documents to support country programs in the process of national and subnational elimination of malaria and Neglected Infectious Diseases.
• Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria and instruments for evaluating program interventions in the field of communicable diseases, especially in malaria and Neglected Infectious Diseases.
• Ability to work independently and to manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a complex organizational environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders, and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• 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 Portuguese with a working knowledge of English and Spanish. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

REMUNERATION

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

BRL R$255,453.00

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 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 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 resident card) of Brasilia, Brazil.

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.