Specialist, Noncommunicable Diseases Monitoring and Surveillance

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) Department promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities, directed at the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and related risk factors, mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders and disabilities, and promotion of optimal nutrition and road safety, that are evidence-based and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented.  It raises political and public awareness and understanding of the burden of the most common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental disorders, related risk factors and conditions and leads multi-sector and multi-stakeholder strategic and collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening Member States' capacity to promote and protect health through public policies, programs, and services. This will reduce risks and disease burden and contribute to improving the physical, mental, and social well-being of the population.

Under the general supervision of the Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH), and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Noncommunicable Diseases, Violence and Injury Prevention (NMH/NV), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\:

1. Provide technical support to Member States to strengthen Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) surveillance capacity to monitor the global and regional monitoring frameworks established in the Regional and Global Action Plan on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda;
2. Collaborate and provide technical assistance on the implementation of national NCD and risk factor surveys, monitoring and reporting activities;
3. Support data collection, analysis, and dissemination of NCD and RF data, produce relevant publications and promote the use of the information in the planning and evaluation of national NCD policies and programs;
4. Participate and assist in the planning and execution of regional meetings and technical missions related to NCD and RF surveillance and monitoring of goals, targets and indicators;
5. Collaborate in the production of technical documents, factsheets, presentation materials, guides, tools and reports on NCDs and RF and assist in disseminating information in the Region;
6. Support interprogrammatic collaboration with other departments to strengthen NCD and RF surveillance in the context of PAHO's program of work on health information and analysis;
7. Collaborate on the operational planning, monitoring and evaluation of NCD surveillance project activities, as related to the PAHO Strategic Plan, biennial work plan, as well as donor funded projects;
8. Provide technical support in the preparation of new project proposals for resource mobilization, and the implementation of the Regional NCD Strategy and Plan of Action;
9. Participate as a member of the NV Unit team, to contribute to the successful implementation of the Unit's activities;
10. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

A bachelor’s degree in a social science, statistics, epidemiology 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.

Essential\: Seven years of combined national and international experience working with population-based surveys, noncommunicable disease surveillance and public health surveillance.

Desirable\: Practical experience working in NCD surveillance and population-based surveys.

• 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 establishment work plan with his/her supervisor. Constantly reaches their objectives.
• 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 to generate the expected results.
• Resource Mobilization\:  Establishes partnerships 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 partnerships.

• Technical expertise and skills on NCDs and Risk Factor surveillance.
• Technical expertise on survey methodology, especially on population-based survey.
• Knowledge and skills on project management.
• Ability to prepare funding proposals.
• Ability to work successfully with partners on coordinated execution of projects.
• Mature judgement, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills, demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on key technical issues.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills combined with strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of French and Portuguese would be an asset.

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook and advanced knowledge of Excel. Knowledge and proficiency in the use of statistical packages such as STATA, EPINFO and SPSS. Visualization software such as Tableau would be desirable.

US$2,321.68  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.