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Qualifications

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 Prevention, Control, and Elimination (CDE) Department promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities directed toward the surveillance, prevention, control, elimination and/or reduction of communicable diseases and zoonosis, 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the technical guidance of the Director, Communicable Diseases Prevention, Control and Elimination (CDE) and the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a)Provide technical cooperation to national health authorities on the implementation of programs and initiatives related to communicable diseases including, but not limited to, malaria, HIV/AIDS/, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, antimicrobial resistance, vector control, emerging and re-emerging diseases, zoonotic and neglected diseases aimed at prevention, control, and elimination with emphasis on the strengthening of local health services and assessment and procurement of medicines and health technologies, in the context of primary health care to carry out program activities;

b) Provide technical cooperation to the Ministry of Health and other institutions of the health sector on treatment schemes, diagnosis, patient management, identification of risk factors, methods and technologies for the control and elimination of communicable diseases; undertake activities related particularly to communicable diseases prevalent in Paraguay;

c) Collaborate with and promote the surveillance, prevention, and control of communicable diseases, with emphasis on the strengthening of local health services in the context of primary health care to carry out program activities;

d) Promote collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the academic sector and other pertinent sectors, to strengthen the capacity to monitor programmatic progress and impact of public health interventions including One Health Initiatives;

e) Develop standards, guidelines, and procedures for the organization, operation, and evaluation of program activities; optimize the use of the country’s health systems and related socioeconomic infrastructure;

f) Collaborate in the application of epidemiological concepts, principles, and methods for the planning, programming, administration, and evaluation of disease surveillance, prevention, and control programs;

g) Provide technical advice for the management of information systems to ensure availability of core data country files and other information on health services; collaborate in the development of national information systems for monitoring and reporting epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases;

h) Analyze, systematize, and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical information and knowledge to support the development of public policies and regulations for disease prevention, control, and elimination;

i) Foster collaborative research initiatives on communicable diseases across the health system and academic institutions, driving the development and refinement of a national health research agenda to inform evidence-based prevention, control and elimination strategies;

j) Support technical cooperation to the Ministry of Health, working in collaboration with other technical Advisors and working with other sectors in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR), including the activities of alert, preparedness and response to epidemics and crises and public health emergencies;

k) Participate in obtaining extra-budgetary funds by assisting national authorities in the preparation of communicable disease prevention, control, and elimination project proposals for the appropriate national, bilateral, and international financial agencies for research and health services capacity building; collaborate in the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of those projects;

l) Collaborate in the preparation of the Representation´s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical, and socioeconomic realities;

m) When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;

n) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health discipline related to the post, and a master’s degree in epidemiology, public health or any other field related to the functions of the position, 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.  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: Nine years of combined national and international experience working in epidemiology, prevention and control programs or in the administration of health services related to the prevention and control of communicable diseases, health analysis and statistics. Practical managerial experience in the operational aspects of prevention and control programs.

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.

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.

Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others – Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.

Communication: Write effectively/Share knowledge – 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 – Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.

Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well – Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.

Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration – Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.

Technical Expertise:

− Theoretical and practical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to surveillance of communicable diseases as well as a thorough knowledge of epidemiology, prevention and control methods.

− Professional expertise in preventive public health, epidemiological research, disease control and health services.

− Ability to analyze current surveillance systems and capability to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement.

− Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria and instruments for monitoring and evaluating program interventions.

− Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control.

− 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.

− Knowledge and practical expertise in International Health Regulations (IHR), outbreak control and public health emergencies.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of Spanish with a working knowledge of English. 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

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

USD $77,326.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 35.2% of the above figure(s).  This percentage 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 fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

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/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (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. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.

Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

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

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 organization purposes.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements