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Qualifications

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

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

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), through its Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease/Veterinary Public Health Center (PANAFTOSA/VPH), promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation aimed at reducing the health, social, and economic burdens of zoonotic and food-borne diseases, as well as animal diseases with significant impacts on public health and food security, such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). PANAFTOSA’s technical cooperation is part of the Department of Communicable Diseases Prevention, Control, and Elimination (CDE). Its efforts are focused on the surveillance, prevention, control, and elimination of diseases, ensuring that interventions are technically sound and appropriate for the political and sociocultural contexts. PANAFTOSA strives to achieve a sustainable impact on health by providing normative guidance, promoting evidence-based interventions, and fostering alliances that enhance country capacity, inter-country collaboration, and policy and decision-making through improved health information, analysis, and quality at all levels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Center Director, PANAFTOSA and the general guidance of the Director, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a)   Coordinate with PANAFTOSA/VPH technical areas to plan, develop, review, approve, manage and disseminate the contents on the initiatives and strategies of PANAFTOSA/VPH technical cooperation, in ways to be relevant, useful and empathic, as well as effective, timely and clear;

b)   Prepare, maintain and monitor PANAFTOSA/VPH communication plan, aligned with the PAHO/WHO Strategic Communication Plan;

c)    Coordinate the diagramming, design and production of technical documents, newsletters and information materials for events and technical meetings. Develop, review and update digital content, including texts and news and provide linguistic support to the technical area of PANAFTOSA/VPH by reviewing and editing texts in Spanish, Portuguese and English;

d)   Collaborate with the PAHO Communications Network, serving as a focal point and engaging with counterparts from PAHO offices and Headquarters to ensure effective communication and coordination;

e)   Support the organization of technical meetings and events related to PANAFTOSA/VPH technical cooperation, for example, COSALFA, REDIPRA, RIILA, RIMSA, COHEFA, COPAIA, RELAPA, among others, and in events such as: World Health Day, World Food Safety Day; World Rabia Day, World Day of Zoonosis, World Health Day, World Awareness Day for Snakes, among others;

f)    Support the review/approval of PANAFTOSA/VPH technical guides and documents through the internal process, including PubTrack;

g)   Coordinate the communication and library team, responsible for the processes related to PANAFTOSA/VPH communication and publications;

h)   Prepare the processes for obtaining, reviewing and dissemination of information in coordination with the technical areas of Panaftosa/VPH -PAHO/WHO, according to the communication strategy and in accordance with the public defined as a priority;

i)     Establish and maintain communication with relevant media outlets, to disseminate information on PANAFTOSA/VPH technical cooperation;

j)    Manage and maintain a comprehensive image library, ensuring a relevant and up-to-date visual repository for regional issues, programs and activities;

k)   Collaborate with technical areas to ensure timely updates and maintenance of the PANAFTOSA/VPH PAHO-WHO website, guaranteeing accuracy, relevance and consistency of online content;

l)     Monitor the impacts of PANAFTOSA/VPH-PAHO/WHO communication;

m)  Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, media studies, digital media communication, advertising, or in any other discipline related to the functions of the position, from a recognized university.

Desirable: Training in public health 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. PAHO, only considers official degrees 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/ 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: Three years of national professional experience in communications or journalism, with practical experience in corporate and/or strategic communications.

Desirable: Experience working in health promotion as well as with international organizations/agencies would 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: Collaborates and cooperates with others. – 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: Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes 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: Expresses oneself clearly when speaking/Writes effectively/Listens/Shares 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: Delivers quality results/Takes responsibility – Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines 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: Proposes change/Adapts to change – 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

Technical Expertise:

–        Thorough knowledge of and proven ability in communications, media, public relations and journalistic writing.

–        Technical knowledge of tools and techniques used to design, maintain and manage social media networks; proven ability to develop and integrate content into websites and blogs; theoretical and practical knowledge of mobile technologies.

–        Excellent writing and reporting skills with demonstrated experience in content production.

–        Training or experience in risk communication, crisis communications and/or behavior change communications.

–        Excellent organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills; ability to prioritize and multitask when required.

–        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; ability to present in a clear and concise, diplomatic, tactful, and courteous manner.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of Spanish and working knowledge of Portuguese and English.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use software such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook, and Adobe Master suite. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software, 3D visualization modeling and digital social media products development, Visio and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

R $224,061.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Local Recruitment)

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 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/WHO 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/WHO 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 is committed to workforce diversity. PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance).  Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

Candidates must hold a permanent local working visa (citizenship or permanent resident card) of BRAZIL.

Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.  A written test and/or interview will be held for this post.  The post description is the official documentation for organizational purposes.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements