Technical Officer, Tuberculosis Prevention & Control

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 Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Heath Department (CDE) promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities directed toward the surveillance, prevention, control, and elimination of communicable diseases, zoonosis and environmental determinants of 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, and fostering alliances that strengthen country capacity, improve the effectiveness of inter-country collaboration, and facilitate policy and decision-making processes through improved health information coverage, analysis, and quality at all levels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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

1. Provide technical support to Member States for the implementation of the End TB Strategy and the commitments of the United Nations High Level Meeting on TB;
2. Provide support for the implementation of TB projects and contribute to reports on the USAID 2022-2027 regional grant on aspects related to TB activities;
3. Monitor and provide technical support on TB co-infections with emphasis on TB/HIV and the implementation of its collaborative activities, fostering TB and HIV integration in countries;
4. Contribute to and provide technical support to countries on TB co-morbidities fostering interprogrammatic work between TB and other technical programs (diabetes, mental health, gender, and ethnicity, among others);
5. Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies and initiatives aimed at addressing vulnerable populations for TB (indigenous groups, prisoners, migrants, people living in the streets, among others);
6. Serve as secretariat for the Regional TB Child and Adolescent Group of the Americas and provide technical support to countries on this topic;
7. Collaborate and provide technical support for the implementation and expansion of the Regional Initiative of TB control in large cities, as well as in the development of new initiatives to facilitate the implementation of the End TB Strategy;
8. Contribute to the preparation and participate in regional and subregional CDE/HT meetings, monitoring and evaluation missions to countries, and in the development of the respective reports;
9. Contribute to the implementation of the WHO Multisectoral Accountability Framework of TB in the Region;
10. Monitor and provide technical support for the implementation and expansion of the ENGAGE-TB approach in countries, aimed at empowering communities to end TB;
11. Foster the involvement of civil society and affected communities on TB and HIV prevention and care, facilitate dialogue among them and with national TB programs and follow up the consolidation of a regional civil society group;
12. Collaborate in the development of e-health and training materials for TB and HIV;
13. Contribute to the preparation and revision of publications for scientific journals, as well as technical documents on TB and TB/HIV;
14. Contribute to the development of regional projects and/or proposals for mobilization of financial resources for CDE/HT;
15. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health science or in any other area related to the functions of the position, from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree in health sciences, public health, epidemiology, medical anthropology, or other related areas 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 infectious diseases epidemiology and public health and practical experience in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and control of TB and TB/HIV.

Desirable: At least three years of experience providing direct technical support to TB programs at national or subnational levels; incorporating ethnically sensitive and human rights approaches to the delivery of health services for TB and dealing with vulnerable populations to TB, i.e. people with HIV, diabetes mellitus, prisoners, indigenous populations, children, homeless people, among others, would also be an asset.

SKILLS:

PAHO 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:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of infectious diseases’ epidemiology, prevention, control and public health interventions, with focus on tuberculosis.
• Strong knowledge of project development, epidemiology analysis, technical support, and monitoring, and evaluation skills.
• Professional expertise on TB and HIV public health interventions at national and international levels.
• 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; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to work collaboratively on multi-disciplinary teams with tight schedules.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of projects, proposals, 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 language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

REMUNERATION

Monthly Salary: (Net of taxes)

US$5,224.33 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment:

US$3,338.35 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 to fill other similar short-term professional positions, at the same grade level.
• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this position as a form of screening.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
• 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 is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.
• PAHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.
• PAHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.
• 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.