Specialist, Neglected, Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases

PAHO Country Offices are responsible for ensuring that the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) country program of technical cooperation and its country presence provides adequate support to the national health development process and, at the same time, enables countries to shape the sub regional, regional, and global health agendas. The PAHO/WHO Country Office is the basic organizational unit for technical cooperation with the country/ies, drawing on PAHO/WHO resources from all levels and all parts of the Organization.

This is undertaken in close coordination with the PAHO/WHO department of Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis (CHA) which 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.

Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the general supervision of the Unit Chief, Neglected, Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases Unit (CHA/VT),  the incumbent  is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\:

1. Provide strategic, technical and programmatic support for the development, update and implementation of evidence-based  policies, plans and strategies aimed at the prevention and control of vector borne and neglected diseases and zoonoses (NIDs) within the framework of PAHO’s Strategic Plan;
2. Provide technical cooperation to strengthen the evidence-based approach in the preparation of key norms, guidelines and strategies to guide the prevention and control of vector borne, zoonosis and neglected diseases as well as treatment protocols;
3. Provide technical cooperation activities related to prevention, control and elimination and reintroduction of malaria and other infectious and parasitic diseases;
4. Promote and coordinate development of research capability, technologies and tools that apply to advocacy, communication, partnership and collaboration in combatting malaria, other vector borne diseases, zoonosis and neglected diseases;
5. Provide technical support to promote the design, execution, and assessment of the Integrated Management Strategy for Dengue Control -EGI-Dengue;
6. Provide technical support through the implementation and assessment of EGI-Dengue through strengthening the capacities of the national institutions, especially ministry of health, Departmental and municipal health level, as well as scientific societies, research institutions and civil society;
7. Provide technical cooperation activities for Dengue for the development of interprogramatic work plans related with the prevention and control of Dengue;
8. Provide and develop technical recommendations on NIDs; identify and disseminate best practices; monitor and evaluate progress on elimination and control of NIDs in the Country;
9. Support and disseminate strategies to facilitate the development and strengthening of laboratories to support diagnosis, program monitoring and impact assessments for all NIDs under the scope of WHA Resolutions on Neglected Tropical Diseases and PAHO´s Directing Council Resolutions on Control or Elimination of Neglected Infectious Diseases;
10. Coordinate the process of developing and implementing a regional strategic plan for zoonotic diseases with the Organization's Country Offices and national staff counterparts; optimize alignment with both the regional and global mandates and strategies and specificities of countries in the region;
11. Analyze the impact of the Organization's technical cooperation on zoonotic diseases on public health in the countries;
12. Promote research activities and capacity building in the areas of tropical, vector borne, NIDs , zoonotic diseases and veterinary public health;
13. Cooperate and collaborate with other projects to achieve efficient coordination of activities, systematic utilization of resources and comprehensive development of study, research and analytical capacities required for the prevention and control of vector borne diseases, zoonosis and neglected diseases;
14. Mobilize resources financial and non-financial by assisting national authorities in the preparation of project proposals and plans to appropriate national, bilateral and international agencies and by facilitating south-south and triangular cooperation for health development;
15. Collaborate in the preparation of the Representation's Biennial Work Plan (BWP} and the execution of technical cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities;
16. Collaborate in the coordination of bi-national projects and activities;
17. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Essential\:  A university degree in a health-related science from a recognized institution.

Desirable\: A master's degree in communicable diseases, epidemiology or public health and/or formal training in health research 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/collegenavigatorto support the validation process.

Essential\:  Seven years of national experience working in epidemiology, public health, vector-borne diseases and neglected diseases control and prevention.

Desirable\:  Experience in research, policy briefs and data analysis would be an 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.
• Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions\: Identifies the risks and benefits of options for future health initiatives based on the analysis of institutional and political trends. Applies a broad approach to work in the health field.
• Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions\: Process the results of the intervention evaluations turning them into systematized information that can support decisions on current and future interventions.
• 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
• Resource Mobilization\:  Establishes partnership and alliances with a variety of institutions and organizations as well as internal partnerships to obtain financial and non-financial resources. Is able to relate with all types of people and at all levels in order to obtain resources that are needed.  Is able to present and disseminate information in a clear manner. Executes resources according to the agreements previously established with partnership.

• Theoretical  and  practical  knowledge  of  epidemiological  methods,  information  systems,  and  biostatistics  and  their  relation  to vector-borne diseases and zoonosis neglected diseases;
• Proven  expertise  in   preventive public  health,  epidemiological  research,  vector-borne diseases, zoonosis and neglected diseases;
• Ability to design and develop project interventions; knowledge and skills in project planning, management and evaluation, including resource mobilization and grant management;
• Expertise in utilization of new information and communication technologies in the implementation of technical cooperation;
• Strong public health and strategic thinking background showing resourcefulness, initiative, leadership qualities and skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on key political and technical issues;
• Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds;
• 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 with a working knowledge of English.  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 would be an asset.

THIS VACANCY NOTICE MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER SIMILIAR POSITIONS AT THE SAME GRADE LEVEL.

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 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 hold a permanent local working visa (citizenship or permanent resident card) of Nicaragua.

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.