Unit Chief, Infectious Hazard Management

Washington D.C.

Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
Location: Washington D.C.
Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Biology and Chemistry
- PAHO Health Emergencies
- Malaria, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

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 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 sectorâs 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 supervision of the Director, (D) and the direct supervision of the Director, PAHO Health Emergencies (PHE), and in coordination with the Deputy Director (DD/PHE), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties\:

Lead and manage the Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) Unit of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE), implementing operational strategic frameworks and monitoring the development and progress of operations, involving diverse stakeholders in situations requiring innovative approaches for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high-threat infectious hazards;
Ensure coordination and provide advice on implementation and operational issues; contribute to PAHO's organization-wide work in the development, implementation and oversight of relevant policies, strategies, programmes of work, and annual work-plans in infectious hazards management;
Provide advice and oversee the work activities of the High Threat Pathogens team in maintaining and disseminating technical guidelines and other knowledge products for the prevention and control of infectious hazards including epidemic prone diseases such as Influenza, MERS, Haemorrhagic Fevers, Plague, Cholera, Meningitis, and Arboviruses of Public Health importance in the region (Yellow Fever, Zika, Chikungunya, West-Nile, Equine Encephalitis and others);
Develop strategic partnerships and networks and oversee the Experts Networks & interventions team in developing and operating partnership mechanisms at regional and country levels, including surveillance and laboratory networks [viral and bacterial diseases, biosafety & biosecurity], clinical management and infection prevention and control;
Provide guidance for risk assessment and participate in the response to graded and protracted emergencies;
Provide technical advice on infectious hazards management to PAHO senior management as required, including in relations with other UN agencies;
Ensure close collaborative working arrangements with other technical departments;
Guide and oversee the Unitâs operational and administrative activities as well as budgetary and human resources-related issues;
Represent the Organization at official meetings and in media context as needed;
Assist the Deputy Director, PHE in fulfilling his mandate and undertaking any other duties as required by the DD,PHE;
Identify, promote, establish, maintain, and coordinate liaison across the Organization, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations or with other partners, in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness;
Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Team; ensure an Organization-wide approach and strategies and objectives that are aligned with the Organizationâs mission, vision, values, policies, strategies, business needs and priorities, in order to ensure continuing operations and maximize results. Ensure that the results are aligned with the Entityâs biennial and multi-year plans, including monitoring of activities, adjustments to any deviations, such as redefined objectives or strategies;
Formulate and recommend policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the Governing Bodiesâ mandates related to the work of the Team; develop and establish guidelines, norms, practices and procedures to improve the Teamâs effectiveness and efficiency; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the Team's activities;
Collaborate in obtaining extra-budgetary resources, financial and non-financial for the Unitâs technical cooperation, by assisting national and sub-regional authorities in the preparation of project proposals and plans for appropriate national, bilateral and international agencies;
Administer, allocate and monitor the Teamâs financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the Teamâs program and budget proposals; plan and organize the formulation, development, implementation and control of systems to monitor performance in accordance with the results-based management approach; collaborate in the preparation of the entityâs Biennial Work Plan (BWP);
Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of supervised staff by setting clear work objectives, ensuring timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, engaging in regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment, to include staff development in the Organizationâs fundamentals, managerial competencies and technical expertise; participate in the process of selecting and placing professional staff of the Program at regional and country levels;
Provide authoritative technical, managerial and policy advice to staff assigned to the Team, Sub-regional and Regional Advisors located in the countries; review reports submitted by staff and provide constructive feedback;
Promote a culture of ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organizationâs Code of Ethical Principles and Conduct in order to ensure a culture of respect, responsibility, accountability, and compliance;
Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education\:

Essential\: A university degree in a health-related discipline and a masterâs degree in public health, epidemiology, or in a related field from a recognized institution.

Desirable\: Specialized training in epidemiology and/or microbiology and/or infectious/tropical diseases 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\: Thirteen years of combined national and international experience in infectious diseases, particularly infectious disease epidemiology, prevention and control at the international level. This should include at least five years of management experience in recognized senior leadership positions with direct responsibility for managing both human and financial resources.

Desirable\: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or the UN system; field experience in public health programs or emergency response programs in developing countries would be an asset.

SKILLS\:

PAHO Competencies\:

Intrainstitutional Action\: Displays, through leadership and decisions, understanding of the political systems and underlying drivers. Plans and evaluates both unit and individual results to achieve the PAHO's mission. Requires that projects be grounded in scientific evidence and that they be consistent with PAHO's vision, mission and values, and appropriate for the setting in which they will be carried out. Demonstrates a full commitment to the mission and values of the Organization by aligning the area of work with the strategic direction of the Organization. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
Analysis, Synthesis and Forecasting\: Leads oneâs area toward a culture of decision-making that is based upon objective analysis of situational evidence and application of previously acquired knowledge. Provides oversight in the verification process that targets how area of work takes action in situations that will require future intervention, based on ongoing analysis. Presents solutions evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation for two years or more.
Performance Management\: Evaluates the performance of subordinates in terms of the organizational strategy, provides feedback offering measurable suggestions and promotes their professional development. Develops and implements realistic and achievable work plans--including tasks, priorities, resources and schedules. Adjusts goals and courses of action to meet changing needs. In a systematic way develops people through demanding and challenging projects utilizing each employee's competencies. Effectively uses the Organization's official performance evaluation processes and systems. Uses a regular evaluation system. Provides constant and positive feedback to focus development efforts.
Leadership\: Ensures that others buy into leader's mission, goals, agenda, climate, tone and policy. Sets a good example by modeling behaviors that align with the Organization's vision, mission and values. Ensures that their team tasks are completed. Is able to communicate easily within the unit and across the organization, is enthusiastic and committed to the team. Provides feedback and coaching.
Devising the budget for interventions and cost optimization\: Achieves valuable results from the organizational strategies. Makes optimal use of the available resources. Advocates ethical behavior and follows organizational guidelines when managing resources, helping to prevent and eventually resolving conflicts of interest.
Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions\: Evaluates the ideas for interventions in terms of their potential for change and transformation before deciding to execute them. Follows the Organizationâs strategy in executing technical cooperation interventions in order to generate expected results.
Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions\: Bases area, program, and organizational decisions on the results of the evaluations of current and future interventions.
Resource Mobilization\: Establishment of an internal Culture that supports the Organization's strategic direction program of work and the organizational results to enable effective resource mobilization. Supports and makes all efforts to increase the level of resources that are considered necessary for operations. Is capable of negotiating with different types of organizations. Uses the financial and non-financial resources with objectivity. Is able to achieve the goals and results with the resources they have.

Technical Expertise\:

Technical\: Extensive progressive expertise at a senior decision-making level in infectious disease control, in particular in managing complex activities related to the implementation of international health regulations for communicable diseases of epidemic magnitude at both national and international levels. Wide and varied knowledge of public health problems and health management processes, including monitoring and performance assessment in the health or social sector, and disciplines related to human resources management, strategic planning and reengineering processes.
Managerial\: Extensive expertise in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of a large public or private administration of administrative and technical matters requiring sensitive negotiation and high level intervention and in organizational development. Demonstrated ability, to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial and analytic work in health; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas.
Administrative\: Skills or experience with creation and integration of administrative procedures for the delivery of the highest quality results for the Team. Courtesy, tact, sensitivity to manage confidential information, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background.

Languages\:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with 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 Workday, Visio and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary\: (Net of taxes)

US $85,543.00

Post Adjustment\: 44.3% 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.

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/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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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