Program Support Specialist, Influenza Surveillance

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 Deputy Director, Health Emergencies (PHE), and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Infectious Hazards Management (PHE/IHM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\:

a) Provide technical support and collaborate with country counterparts to ensure the development of the weekly epidemiological report summarizing the situation of influenza and other respiratory viruses in the Americas;

b) Revise and update country surveillance data and upload data to PAHO FluID and FluNet in a timely manner; ensuring accuracy and completeness;

c) Develop analytic outputs using PAHO FluID and FluNet data, as requested;

d) Participate in the development of the SARInet technical newsletter on a quarterly basis, ensuring that pertinent regional issues are highlighted, and disseminate to stakeholders on a timely basis;

e) Support the development and maintenance of surveillance site performance indicator-monitoring dashboards to facilitate reporting on progress at the country level against the established monitoring indicators;

f) Engage in the development of regional surveillance dashboards using surveillance data to facilitate country and regional level epidemiologic analyses;

g) Assist with epidemiological analyses of large influenza surveillance datasets; support in-country trainings in influenza data analyses, software, and tools;

h) Translate technical documents, including the weekly epidemiologic report for multiple audiences, as required;

i) Participate in the Organization’s emergency and disaster response operations, as required;

j) Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

Essential\: A bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or data analysis 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\: Three years of combined national and international experience in the fields of data management and public health, including experience working with epidemiological data and cleaning, validating and creation of new variables from large datasets.

- Intrainstitutional Action\: Displays, through behavior, understanding of PAHO's values and mission. Seeks information on and acts with understanding of the Organization's expectations while advancing further the understanding and application of its policies. Shows interest and concern for the activities related to his/her work in conjunction with the mission, values, vision and policies of the organization. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.

- Analysis, synthesis and forecasting\:  Objectively analyzes situations and, based on evidence and knowledge, suggests actions to improve implementation. Bases one's actions on available information, applies knowledge acquired from experience. Prioritizes the information according to one's needs or the Organization's. Is capable of anticipating the implications of analyzed situations between one to six months ahead.

- Information Management\: Verifies that relevant information is obtained, processed, selected, and disseminated in area of work. Acquires the training to utilize technologies for processing information relative to the area of work in a logical and organized manner, which facilitates the dissemination of information, resulting in information that is consistent, valid and accurate. Keeps abreast of latest technologies for processing the information relevant to the area of work and weighs its advantages/disadvantages.

- Teamwork\: Encourages team members, adds significant contribution when participating in internal and external work teams, and leads through personal example the virtues of team success--collaboration, trust, transparency and joint responsibilities. Builds and maintains mutually beneficial productive interpersonal relations based on trust, inside and outside the Organization. Keeps every team member informed as well as shares relevant and useful information.

- Knowledge Management\: Collects appropriate data as well as identifies and acquires internal knowledge and information sources. Is aware of the knowledge and information relevant to their roles and the value this brings to the organization. Uses appropriate knowledge and information resources that are helpful for scientific research and technical advice.

- Administrative support for technical cooperation interventions\: Searches for and furnishes relevant information about resource allocation and deadlines, potential critical points, risks and benefits, and other related aspects of available options to provide support for the technical cooperation teams.

- Theoretical and practical knowledge of statistical packages such as STATA, SAS, SPSS, or R and data display software such as Tableau and ARC GIS.

– Excellent organizational and analytical skills, complemented by excellent communication and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to write, speak, and present in a clear and concise, diplomatic, tactful, and courteous manner.

- Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze and synthesize large datasets and provide recommendation on key technical issue.

– Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of epidemiological situation reports, funding proposals, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish 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 SPSS, Epi-Info, Tableau, and Project would be an asset.

US$1,426.62  This amount is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

• 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.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.