Technical Officer, Noncommunicable Diseases Data Analytics

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

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 noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and related risk factors, mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders and disabilities, promotion of optimal nutrition and road safety, and violence prevention, 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 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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:

a) Provide technical support to Member States for the strengthening of mechanisms for noncommunicable disease (NCD) surveillance; produce data and information on key NCD indicators; prepare regional and/or sub regional data sets using population-based survey results;

b) Support Member States to strengthen NCD surveillance capacity and promote the use of NCD survey data for planning and evaluation of national NCD policies and programs;

c) Provide technical support to Member States to monitor and report on the key NCD indicators of the global and regional NCD monitoring frameworks;

d) Support the production of estimates for underlying health conditions and NCD co-morbidities and severe COVID-19 cases;

e) Support the development and implementation of NCD and risk factor population-based surveys, including household surveys, school-based surveys, and mobile phone-based surveys;

f) Contribute to the development of manuscripts describing the status of NCDs in the Americas;

g) Participate and assist in the planning and execution of technical meetings related to NCD and risk factor surveillance and monitoring;

h) Collaborate in the production and dissemination of technical documents, factsheets, presentation materials, guides, tools, website and reports on NCD and risk factor data;

i) Support inter-programmatic collaboration with other PAHO departments to strengthen NCD and risk factor surveillance in the context of PAHO's program of work on health information and analysis;

j) 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;

k) Provide technical support in the preparation of new project proposals for resource mobilization, in support of the Regional NCD Plan of Action;

l) Participate as a member of the NV Unit team, to contribute to the successful implementation of the Unit's activities;

m) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a social science, statistics, epidemiology, or any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree in public health, demography, biostatistics, epidemiology, survey methodology or a related field from a recognized university 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/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience:

Essential: Seven years of combined national and international experience working in noncommunicable disease surveillance and public health surveillance, with at least two years working internationally.

Desirable: Practical experience working in Latin America and the Caribbean on NCD and risk factor surveillance, including population-based surveys.

SKILLS:

PAHO Competencies:

Key Behavioral Competencies

- 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: Collaborate and cooperate with others/Deal effectively with conflict - Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams, establishing good personal and professional relationships, as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.

- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - 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: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Listen/Write effectively/Share knowledge - Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.

- Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Prioritizes work, monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary. Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own time lines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

- Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change/Adapt to change - Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

- Technical expertise and strong skills in NCD and risk factor surveillance, including data management, analysis, and interpretation.

- Technical expertise in survey methodology, especially in conducting population-based surveys.

- Ability to write funding proposals, as well as manage and monitor grants. Good project management skills.

- Ability to work successfully in a team environment, and with partner organizations to coordinate and execute 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.

Languages:

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

IT Skills:

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

REMUNERATION

Monthly Salary: (Net of taxes)

US$5,176.67 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment:

US$2,567.63 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar short-term positions at the same 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 encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.