Technical Officer, Zoonotic Diseases and Veterinary Public Health

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 4,530 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 Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA) is a specialized Center and part of the Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). PANAFTOSA promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation aimed at strengthening policies, programs and plans on the (a) prevention, surveillance and elimination of zoonotic diseases which negatively impact human and animal health, including envenoming; (b) improvement of food safety systems for the prevention and risk reduction of foodborne diseases and antimicrobial resistance in the food animal production chain; and, (c) implementation of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Center Director, Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health Center (PANAFTOSA), and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Zoonotic Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical support for the implementation of actions and plans for the prevention, surveillance, control and elimination of zoonotic diseases, ensuring that activities are conducted in accordance with technical guidelines;
2. Provide technical support for the implementation of Technical Cooperation Agreements, including TC134, Secretary of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brazil, in close coordination with PANAFTOSA’s TC coordination team;
3. Provide support to VPH technical cooperation aimed at the implementation of One Health activities and plans at the human-animal interface in Member States;
4. Collaborate and support the planning, organizing, implementation and evaluation of activities for the Regional Information System for the Epidemiological Surveillance of Rabies (SIRVERA);
5. Act as focal point for veterinary technical activities and coordinate the importation/exportation of laboratory materials and supplies, and other products needed as part of PANAFTOSA’s technical cooperation;
6. Act as focal point and coordinate the management of the Bioterium maintained in PANAFTOSA;
7. Research, provide and organize technical information for presentations and reports;
8. Facilitate and support technical cooperation between countries, particularly in border areas;
9. Collaborate and support the development, implementation and utilization of disease surveillance systems at regional level;
10. Provide support for the design, development and monitoring of technical cooperation projects, including research projects and related activities;
11. Prepare and maintain all documents and progress reports pertaining to the projects being implemented at the country level;
12. Contribute to the efforts to mobilize extra budgetary resources from both the public health and animal health sectors, including supporting the preparation of project proposals for external funding;
13. Provide support for the planning and implementation of field studies and preparation and dissemination of scientific and evidence-based technical reports, policy documents and position papers based on the results of epidemiological and socioeconomic studies;
14. Collaborate in the preparation of the Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation projects, and performance assessment;
15. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

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

Desirable: Post-graduate studies in the field of epidemiology, public health and/or veterinary public health from a recognized institution 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 national experience in technical cooperation functions and epidemiology of zoonotic diseases, including experience in the area of veterinary public health programs.

SKILLS****:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates a 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 the 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 a positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of epidemiology with particular emphasis on zoonotic diseases

• Theoretical and practical knowledge in the management of research projects in the fields of animal and public health, including laboratory/bioterium management.

• Strong knowledge of veterinary public health, program planning and evaluation.
• Ability to participate in technical cooperation programs and activities related to the surveillance and control of zoonoses.
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills in support of disease prevention and control and resource mobilization.
• 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 and working knowledge of Spanish. Knowledge of English and/or French would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize programs such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, and Visio), and software for statistical and spatial analysis (examples: R and QGIS).

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 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 be Brazil Citizens or hold a Permanent Resident.

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.