Project Support Specialist

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/occupational 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.

Under the general supervision of the Unit Chief, HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (CDE/HT) and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Communicable Diseases Research, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties\:

1. Provide technical support in the design, negotiation and implementation of technical cooperation projects and research protocols, including resource coordination, performance monitoring and assessment;
2. Support the development of new programs and operational research project initiatives linked to the research agenda of the Department;
3. Contribute to the development, preparation and implementation of the department’s biennium research plan in order to facilitate a consistent and standard approach to program management;
4. Monitor the execution of projects and research protocols in line with established action plans and relevant timelines; ensure timely submission of financial and progress reports in accordance with donor agreements;
5. Provide support and follow up on all implementation activities of the WHO/Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and the Malaria Cooperation Agreement in the Region;
6. Assist in the provision of technical cooperation to eligible Member States towards successful application to the Global Fund for HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFHTM); coordinate with the appropriate offices the technical and financial support needs to ensure the successful development of proposals and concept notes; assist in subsequent grant negotiation steps;
7. Liaise with Program Management & Partnership Specialist and assist in overall management of HT activities.
8. Link across CDE units to ensure consistency and with programmatic representation, concerning TDR as well as GFATM related activities.
9. Assist in linking TDR and GFATM agendas to the implementation of the flagship initiative for the Elimination of Communicable Diseases.
10. Coordinate with relevant partners/stakeholders, and PAHO Teams and communicate regularly on the status of the technical cooperation for GFHTM in the Region while building and maintaining mutually beneficial productive interpersonal relations and keeping every team member informed with relevant and useful information;
11. Maintain effective partnerships with all project stakeholders to exchange critical and technical information and resolve program/project implementation issues to ensure results are achieved as planned;
12. Provide strategic support to develop and strengthen partnerships with governments, partners, private sector and civil society organizations within the context of the Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health Research and Partnerships portfolio;
13. Review and analyze progress on technical matters, elaboration and implementation of inter-programmatic and inter-sectorial activities in the context of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health Research and Partnerships portfolio;
14. Develop and participate in training activities, preparing presentations and related materials to be used as training material and related support activities regarding operational research of communicable diseases;
15. Support the preparation of various written outputs, e.g., technical and financial reports, concept notes, draft background papers, research protocols, sections of reports and studies and other inputs to technical publications and for donors;
16. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Essential\: A bachelor’s degree in a health 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 in the field of health planning, project management, epidemiology, disease prevention and control programs or in the administration of health services related to communicable diseases.

• 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.
• Communication\: Actively engages in conversation with the key players in a multicultural environment both within and outside the organization.  Develops a network of appropriate contacts inside and outside PAHO to gain information or to build an alliance.  Takes into consideration the multicultural differences within the organization.
• 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\: Proposes criteria for evaluating interventions at the process, management, and outcome level, in addition to plans for evaluating technical cooperation, in keeping with the PAHO’s strategic direction.
• Resource Mobilization\: Is capable of ordering and presenting the information for resource mobilization appropriately. Is able to adapt information in an objective manner and can analyze data. Is able to interpret and cover all the main aspects of the data.

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of public health policy, financing, program planning and evaluation, and disciplines related to results-based management, policy analysis and planning. 
• Knowledge of modern management principles and practices with specific emphasis on program management.
• Practical knowledge and skills in planning, implementation, and monitoring of program activities; demonstrated ability to organize meetings, workshops or events.
• Strong research and problem-solving skills; able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to work collaboratively on multi-disciplinary teams with tight schedules.
• Excellent skills in assessment and analysis of data.
• Ability to create and advocate innovative approaches to facilitate and enhance project management capacity, as well as monitoring of these processes.
• 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 English or Spanish with 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 Project, SPSS and Epi-Info would be an asset.

US$1,877.11  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.

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.

Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.