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Advisor, Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control

Georgetown

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Georgetown
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Security and Safety
    • Malaria, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
    • PAHO/WHO Representation, Guyana
  • Closing Date: Closed

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, elimination and/or reduction of communicable diseases, zoonosis and environmental threats to 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, fostering alliances that strengthen country capacity, improving the effectiveness of inter-country collaboration, and facilitating policy and decision-making processes.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the technical guidance of the Director, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE and the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\:
  1. Provide technical cooperation to national health authorities on the implementation of programs and initiatives related to communicable diseases with emphasis on malaria, HIV/STI/TB/viral hepatitis, antimicrobial resistance, vector control, emerging and re-emerging diseases and neglected diseases aimed at control and elimination in the country;
  2. Advocate for and provide technical support to the Malaria Global Fund project in orienting its funding and efforts towards reinforcing country capacity to reach the malaria goals set in the National Malaria Program Strategic Plan;
  3. Provide technical support and collaborate in implementing the Organization’s malaria efforts on the prevention and containment of antimalarial drug resistance in the Guyana Shield;
  4. Provide technical cooperation to the Ministry of Health and other institutions of the health sector on treatment schemes, diagnosis, patient management, identification of risk factors, methods and technologies for the control of communicable diseases; undertake activities related particularly to communicable diseases prevalent in the assigned country;
  5. Collaborate with and promote the surveillance, prevention and control of communicable diseases, with emphasis on the strengthening of local health services in the context of primary health care to carry out program activities;
  6. Promote collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the academic sector and other pertinent sectors, to strengthen the capacity to monitor programmatic progress and impact of public health interventions;
  7. Collaborate in the development and implementation of prevention programs and health services for the control of communicable diseases, with emphasis on the strengthening of local health services to carry out program activities;
  8. Develop standards, guidelines, and procedures for the organization, operation, and evaluation of program activities; optimize the use of the country's health systems and related socioeconomic infrastructure;
  9. Collaborate in the application of epidemiological concepts, principles, and methods for the planning, programming, administration, and evaluation of disease surveillance, prevention, and control programs;
  10. Provide technical advice for the management of information systems to ensure availability of core data country files and other information on health services; collaborate in the development of national information systems for monitoring and reporting epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases;
  11. Analyze, systematize, and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical information and knowledge to support the development of public policies and regulations for disease prevention and control;
  12. Promote and coordinate research on communicable diseases at all levels of the health system and in academic institutions, supporting the development and revision of a national health research agenda;
  13. In collaboration with other technical Advisors support technical cooperation to the Ministry of Health (MOH), working with other sectors in the implementation of the International Health Regulations, including the activities of alert, preparedness and response to epidemics and crises and public health emergencies
  14. Participate in obtaining extra budgetary funds by assisting national authorities in the preparation of communicable diseases control project proposals for the appropriate national, bilateral and international financial agencies for research and for health services capacity building; collaborate in the implementation, monitoring and reporting of those projects;
  15. Collaborate in the preparation of the Representation´s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities.
  16. When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;
  17. Perform other related duties, as assigned. 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 
Education\:
Essential\: A university degree in a health-related profession and a master’s degree in epidemiology, public health or related field 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.
 
Experience\:
Nine years of combined national and international experience working in epidemiology and control programs or in the administration of health services related to control of diseases, health analysis and statistics.  Practical managerial experience in the operational aspects of prevention and control programs.
 
SKILLS\:
PAHO Competencies\:
  • Intrainstitutional Action\: Leads team efforts toward full understanding of the policies the organization must operate within as well as the Standard of Conduct for the International Civil Service. Leads employees and co-workers toward operating in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
  • Analysis, Synthesis and Forecasting\: Plans and takes concrete steps on one’s own initiative to improve job performance and required competencies. Learns from one’s mistakes, adjusts goals and courses of action to meet changing needs. Conducts evaluation meetings with subordinates at the times stipulated, using the Organization’s instruments and others specific to the area. Consistently motivates the staff members to improve their abilities, gives them tasks and activities that represent a challenge to them.
  • Leadership\: Uses complex strategies to promote team morale and productivity. Obtains needed personnel, resources and information for the team. Makes sure the practical needs of the team are met.
  • Information Management\: Processes and analyzes the data objectively, presenting it clearly and equitably. Leads the effort to acquire relevant and selected information that facilitates the achievement of organizational results. Evaluates/leads the evaluation of information systems on the basis of its advantages/disadvantages for processing information relevant to the area of work.
  • Devising the budget for interventions and cost optimization\: Demonstrates initiative and managerial capacity in obtaining alternative sources of financing and in mobilizing extrabudgetary resources for interventions.  Acquires adequate funding, based upon the resources allocated in intervention plans. 
  • Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions\:  Selects priority ideas for executing the interventions after anticipating their potential problems and solutions.  Participates in the preparation of strategic plans, providing input about their impact, quality, critical points, and risks. 
  • Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions\: Evaluates criteria for the interventions at the process, management, and outcome level, in addition to technical cooperation evaluation plans, in keeping with the PAHO's strategic direction. 
  • Resource Mobilization\: Works in an objective manner to obtain an apportion resources (financial and non-financial) according to need. Supports and advises technical areas to enable best use of resources are aligned with the mission and vision of the Organization. Is able to work in a multicultural environment. Is flexible and has the ability to work well under pressure. Is able to give feedback to partners within and outside the organization about the use of the resources and the results acquired.
Technical Expertise\:
  • Theoretical and practical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to surveillance of communicable diseases with emphasis on malaria, as well as a thorough knowledge of epidemiology, prevention and control methods.
  • Professional expertise in preventive public health, epidemiological research, diseases control and health services.
  • Ability to analyze current surveillance systems and possess the capability to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.
  • Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria and instruments for monitoring and evaluating program interventions.
  • Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control.
  • 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.
  • Knowledge and practical expertise in International Health Regulations, outbreak control and public health emergencies will be an asset.
Languages\:
Very good knowledge of English with working knowledge of Spanish or French.
 
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 Visio and Project would be an asset.
 
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary\: (Net of taxes)
U.S. $71,332.00
 
Post Adjustment\: 36.8% 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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