Project Support Specialist, Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

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 Unit Chief, Infectious Hazards Management (IHM)and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Epidemic-prone Diseases Epidemiology (PHE/IHM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\:

a) Provide technical and programmatic support for the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) High Level Implementation Plan (HLIP) II and other related technical cooperation projects;

b) Provide coordination support for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of country specific work plans and budgets; ensuring plans are achievable, realistic and aligned to HLIP II; support the identification of criteria for prioritizing funds and activities within country work plans; and participate in national, regional and global level discussions as needed;

c) Support the development and implementation of Regional and Country PIP program coordination activities across the designated Areas of Work of HLIP II generally managed by HQ\: Burden of Disease, Planning for Deployment, Risk Communication and Community Engagement;

d) Support the management of the financial resources assigned to the project for the effective execution of the HLIP II, including the development, day-to-day operations, and the monitoring and evaluation of work plans across the other areas of work (AOWs)\: Laboratory and Surveillance, Pandemic Preparedness Planning within the Organization;

e) Prepare monthly progress reports to be submitted to the PIP Secretariat on implementation of activities at the regional and country levels and in accordance with approved work plans;

f) Provide programmatic support to country offices and the regional team to request Secretariat approval of proposed work plan changes; obtaining justification for such changes, and prioritizing need and urgency as appropriate to support final approval;

g) Compile bi-annual milestone reports to measure the region’s progress for each PIP Output and corresponding Deliverables, ensuring that the Unit Chief is aware of areas which need attention or in which additional resources should be directed;

h) Collaborate with the PHE/IHM Team in the implementation of other voluntary contribution projects; provide support with mobilization for technical cooperation proposals and agreements, including the performance monitoring and assessment, and other evaluation tools to support the sound management of regular and extra-budgetary projects;

i) Participate in global discussions on adequate planning tools and monitoring and evaluation instruments to facilitate programming and reporting on progress and conducting evaluations of the Project Deliverables;

j) Collaborate in the preparation of monitoring and progress reports, both financial and technical, on implementation of the team’s work plans;

k) Monitor the execution of project funds in collaboration with technical entities involved in the project at country level and Headquarters for the PIP AOWs;

l) Provide technical support to the regional Influenza Team, and technical staff within the Team with voluntary contributions grant management, implementation, monitoring and reporting on various grants from donors and partners, as well as laboratory and epidemiological surveillance activities;

m) Liaise frequently with focal points to ensure adequate funding in country work plans for influenza pandemic preparedness and human-animal influenza surveillance;

n) Provide programmatic support for the development of potential economic costs of pandemic influenza and its possible impact in the Region; analyze and estimate country standard costs for the new influenza sentinel surveillance sites that are being developed at local and national levels;

o) Collaborate and support the development of the communication strategy for the PIP Framework Project in the Region;

p) Support the staffing process for recruitment of positions within the Team, particularly with respect to the competencies needed to execute the program of work;

q) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Education\:

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.

Experience\:

Essential\: Five years of combined national and international experience in the fields of health planning, project management, monitoring and evaluation, including experience in strategy formulation and strategic resource allocation.

SKILLS\:

- Overall attitude at work\: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.

- Teamwork\: Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.

- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences\: Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.

- Communication\: Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.

- Knowing and managing yourself\: Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.

- Moving forward in a changing environment\: Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

- Producing Results\: Prioritizes work and makes planning/Organizational adjustments as necessary; seeks clarification from supervisor on timelines, as needed. Uses feedback and inputs from supervisor to achieve results. Produces quality results and has frequent discussions with supervisor to achieve results. Is action-oriented and sees tasks through to completion. Shows understanding of own role and responsibilities in relation to expected results. Solicits and accepts direction and guidance from supervisor and team members and takes responsibility for own work and actions, as appropriate.

- Practical knowledge of results-based management concepts and tools and their applications; especially related to outcome formulation and indicator development;

- Theoretical and practical knowledge of international technical cooperation, with emphasis on the negotiation and management of international cooperation programs and projects;

- Ability to integrate managerial and technical inputs into recommendations for decision-making process; ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment;

- 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 Spanish or English 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 Visio and Project would be an asset.

Monthly Salary\: (Net of taxes)

US$3,943.50

Post Adjustment\:

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.