Program Support Specialist, Emergency Health Operations

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.

Under the general guidance of the Unit Chief, Emergency Operations (PHE/EMO), and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Emergency Operations Center, EOC (PHE/EMO) the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to the following assigned duties\:

1. Provide technical support in all areas of work related to PAHO’s institutional readiness for emergencies and disasters, including formulation and updating of plans to respond to health emergencies/crises which may require the Organization’s assistance;
2. Provide support to develop technical guidelines for emergencies/disasters response operations, including health operations coordination;
3. Provide technical support for all aspects of the PAHO Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations, to include producing customized reports and providing other timely information;
4. Provide support to develop the emergency Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the organization; ensure that procedures are up-to-date and correctly implemented;
5. Contribute to the planning, design, development and maintenance of emergency operations tools, including databases, for proper monitoring, alert and response of the EOC;
6. Maintain effective partnerships with all emergency operations stakeholders to exchange critical and technical information and resolve program/project implementation issues to ensure results are achieved as planned;
7. Assist in the design and implementation of technical cooperation strategies and programs to support the establishment and functioning of national health Emergency Operations Centers;
8. Assist in the design and implementation of drills and simulation exercises for emergencies/disasters, as well as webinars and other training related to the work of the Unit;
9. Assist in the review and analysis of issues and trends relating to the Unit’s technical matters; support the preparation of various written outputs, e.g., draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies and other inputs to technical publications; provide assistance to the preparation of technical documents for Governing Body meetings;
10. Support the Unit Chief, Project Managers, and Entity personnel in the design, negotiation and implementation of technical cooperation projects, including resource coordination, performance monitoring and assessment, and use of evaluation tools to support the sound management of regular and extra-budgetary funds; provide strategic support and inputs to develop new program initiatives to support the program of work;
11. Participate in the implementation of the Organization’s response activities during disaster and public health emergencies, as required;
12. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

A bachelor’s degree in a health, environmental, or social science from a recognized university.

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.

Essential\: Five years of combined national and international experience working in public health, emergency/disaster management, or a related field.

Desirable\: Experience in disaster/emergency management /humanitarian response and working with UN organizations would be asset.

• Intrainstitutional Action\:  Operates in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Ensures that the mission and the values of the Organization as well as the setting in which projects will be carried out are the drivers in one's technical work. Understands the results required and performs to that standard. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
• Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting\:  Takes or organizes individual and collective action after analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge. Continuously analyzes the evolution of situations in an area of work and makes suggestions to adjust or confirm the decisions necessary to implement required actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation between six months to one year ahead.
• Teamwork\:  Promotes team work and leads one's area to finish tasks and accept responsibility.  Creates a positive environment within the area of work.  Makes everyone feel like they are part of the team as well as welcomes and appreciates everyone's ideas and suggestions.  Able to see the positive aspects of working as a team, shares the team's enthusiasm for achieving mutual goals. 
• Accountability\:  Identifies, in conjunction with management, specific activities, processes jobs that require defined accountability, linking them to accountability strategies and objectives. Revises periodically progress made in the established work plan with his/her supervisor. Constantly reaches their objectives.
• Knowledge Management\:  Shares knowledge and information appropriately and participates in activities to facilitate sharing. Develops tools and protocols for creation, integration and dissemination of knowledge. Researches opportunities, methods and approaches for delivering value through improved knowledge. 
• Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions\:  Proposes priority ideas for executing interventions after anticipating their critical points, eventual risks and solutions. Evaluates proposals for interventions before making decisions to execute them. Lays the technical foundations for executing technical cooperation interventions following the Organization’s strategy in order to generate the expected results.

• Practical knowledge and proven skills in emergency/disaster management concepts and tools and their applications; especially related to management of health emergency/disaster operations;
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of international technical cooperation, with emphasis in the negotiation and management of international cooperation programs and projects;
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key technical issue;
• Ability to integrate managerial and technical inputs into recommendations for decision-making process; ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment;
• Ability to create and advocate innovative approaches to facilitate and enhance project management capacity, as well as monitoring of these processes;
• Excellent organizational and analytic skills combined with 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.

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.

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 Visio and Project and Enterprise Resource Planning would be an asset.

Post Adjustment\: 47.1% 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.

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

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.