Technical Officer, Malaria and Vector-borne Diseases

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 107,868 USD and 141,244 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 Health 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 direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR), and the general supervision of the Unit Chief, Neglected, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases (CDE/VT), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical support for the provision of technical cooperation to the Ministry of Health and other institutions of the national health system for the implementation of the National Elimination Plan for Malaria Elimination and Prevention of the Reestablishment of transmission;
2. Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and other institutions of the national health system on treatment schemes, diagnosis, patient management, identification of risk factors, entomological surveillance and vector control activities towards the elimination of malaria;
3. Coordinate the execution of the technical cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization for the development and strengthening of capacities for the implementation of the national elimination plan of malaria and prevention of the reestablishment of transmission;
4. Support follow-up efforts and ensure implementation of activities within the Regional Malaria Elimination Initiative (RMEI) with special emphasis on PAHO’s responsibilities within that initiative;
5. Support the Ministry of Health on the development of an operational approach for establishing a continued monitoring of vulnerability and receptivity for malaria and to elaborate and implement a national plan for Prevention of the Reestablishment of Malaria, based on that approach;
6. Provide support to local levels, in coordination with national authorities, in implementing key interventions for malaria elimination and prevention of malaria reestablishment;
7. Engage in developing the monitoring and evaluation framework for malaria elimination in the country and implementing it with focus on tracking the achievement of milestones and indicators of success;
8. Provide technical support to health authorities on the country preparation for malaria elimination certification processes;
9. Support the Regional Malaria Program to facilitate the ongoing dialogue and cross border interventions between neighboring countries;
10. Collaborate with the Regional Malaria Program in the development, adaptation, implementation, and documentation of innovative interventions in elimination environments in Central America;
11. Support the Regional Malaria Program in efforts to improve national and local human resources capacities for malaria elimination in Central America;
12. Support national authorities and other stakeholders in actions towards the implementation of the PAHO Disease Elimination Initiative, with an emphasis on promoting cross-cutting actions towards sustainable achievements in the elimination of communicable diseases;
13. Provide technical cooperation, in coordination with national authorities, in implementing the Vector Borne Diseases Control National Plan and The Resistance Pesticides Control National Plan;
14. Collaborate in the implementation of the national EGI to prevent and control arboviruses;
15. Collaborate in the development of standards, guidelines, and procedures for the organization, operation, and evaluation of program activities;
16. Prepare, compile and present mid-term and annual technical performance progress reports which include the following information among others – summary of technical support, key accomplishments and indicators achieved, description of capacity-building strengthening activities and key challenges;
17. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in epidemiology, public health, tropical medicine, entomology or any other health field related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree or postgraduate studies in a health discipline related to the functions of the post 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 in malaria control programs, with emphasis on the design, implementation or evaluation of plans, initiatives, and strategies at national level.

Desirable: Experience working on malaria elimination settings and prevention of reestablishment plans 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 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 and professional expertise and skills in epidemiology of communicable diseases, especially of Malaria epidemiology, prevention, control, elimination and patient management and care.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of international technical cooperation on planning, assessment and evaluation of public health programs with emphasis on Malaria and on the implementation of Malaria prevention strategies at, national, subnational and local level.
• Excellent database management and reporting skills.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on key technical issues.
• 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 apply principles of epidemiologic surveillance and operational research, mainly on infectious diseases, and specifically vector-borne diseases.
• Ability to analyze technical information and synthetize inputs from multiple sources; support the development of guidelines and training materials.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, funding reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of Spanish or English 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, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Access, Epi-Info, Tableau, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

REMUNERATION

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

US $62,692.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 33.7% 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.