29 March 2012
Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/12/FT106
Title: Advisor, Health Surveillance , Disease Prevention and Control
Grade: P4
Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Duration of contract: Two years, first year probationary period.
Date: 27 March 2012
Application Deadline: 17 April 2012
Duty Station: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Organization unit: AM Americas (AM)
Representative Office in Honduras (PWR-HON) / Health Surveillance , Disease Prevention & Control (HSD)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
Promote, coordinate and implement technical cooperation activities to reduce health, social and economic burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases , focusing in surveillance, prevention and control, in ways that are technically sound and appropriate for the culture and society and strives to achieve sustainable impact through strengthened country capacity and effective inter-country collaboration, and to strengthen the coverage and quality of the health and vital statistics in the Region as the national capacity to monitor their health situation.
Description of duties:
Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative, and the general supervision of the Manager, Health Surveillance , Disease Prevention & Control (HSD), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following:
a) Provide technical cooperation to the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the implementation of the International Health Regulations, including the activities of alert and response to epidemics, development of core capacities in the points of entry and the implementation of pandemic influenza preparedness and containment plan;
b) Collaborate with and promote the surveillance, prevention and control of communicable and non communicable diseases , with emphasis in the strengthening of local health services in the context of primary health care to carry out program activities;
c) Provide technical cooperation to national health authorities on all technical matters related to Chagas’ disease and other neglected diseases aimed to control and elimination in the Central American subregion;
d) 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 of communicable and non communicable diseases ; undertake activities related particularly to communicable diseases prevalent in the assigned country;
e) Promote the 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;
f) Cooperate in the development and strengthening of human resources in communicable and non communicable diseases , including emerging and reemerging diseases at all levels of the health services and cooperate in their continuing education;
g) Promote and coordinate operational research on communicable and non communicable diseases , including emerging and reemerging diseases, at all levels of the health system and in teaching institutions;
h) Collaborate in the development and strengthening of laboratory activities in support of communicable and non communicable disease control ;
i) Improve national and regional disease surveillance and response, including the application of new techniques and the detection and reporting of antibiotic resistance;
j) Collaborate in the application of epidemiological concepts, principles and methods for the planning, programming, administration and evaluation of disease surveillance , prevention and control programs, including functions related to the community level, and local health systems .
k) Participate in the elaboration of pandemic influenza preparedness plans and in the implementation of the International Health Regulations;
l) Participate in obtaining extra budgetary funds by assisting national authorities in the preparation of communicable and non-communicable diseases control project proposals for the appropriate national, bilateral and international financial agencies for research and for health services capacity building;
m) Collaborate in the development of national information systems and epidemiological surveillance of communicable and non-communicable diseases , with particular emphasis to those prioritized by the country such as Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS among others;
n) 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.
o) 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
p) Perform other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
A university degree in a health related profession and a master’s degree in epidemiology, public health or related field from a recognized university. In lieu of a master’s degree, a post-graduate degree in epidemiology, public health or a specialization certificate in epidemiology, public health or related field from a recognized institution will be accepted.
Skills:
Key Behavioral Competencies:
— Intra-institutional Action: Leads team efforts toward full understanding of the policies the organization must operate within as well as the Standard of Conduct for the International Civil Service. Leads employees and co-workers toward operating in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
— Performance Management: Plans and takes concrete steps on one’s own initiative to improve job performance and required competencies. Learns from one’s mistakes, adjusts goals and courses of action to meet changing needs. Conducts evaluation meetings with subordinates at the times stipulated, using the Organization’s instruments and others specific to the area. Consistently motivates the staff members to improve their abilities, gives them tasks and activities that represent a challenge to them.
— Leadership: Uses complex strategies to promote team morale and productivity. Obtains needed personnel, resources and information for the team. Makes sure the practical needs of the team are met.
— Information Management: Processes and analyzes the data objectively, presenting it clearly and equitably. Leads the effort to acquire relevant and selected information that facilitates the achievement of organizational results. Evaluates/leads the evaluation of information systems on the basis of its advantages/disadvantages for processing information relevant to the area of work.
— Devising the budget for interventions and cost optimization: Demonstrates initiative and managerial capacity in obtaining alternative sources of financing and in mobilizing extrabudgetary resources for interventions. Acquires adequate funding, based upon the resources allocated in intervention plans.
— Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions: Selects priority ideas for executing the interventions after anticipating their potential problems and solutions. Participates in the preparation of strategic plans, providing input about their impact, quality, critical points, and risks.
— Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions: Evaluates criteria for the interventions at the process, management, and outcome level, in addition to technical cooperation evaluation plans, in keeping with the PAHO’s strategic direction.
— Resource Mobilization: Works in an objective manner to obtain an apportion resources (financial and non-financial) according to need. Supports and advises technical areas to enable best use of resources are aligned with the mission and vision of the Organization. Is able to work in a multicultural environment. Is flexible and has the ability to work well under pressure. Is able to give feedback to partners within and outside the organization about the use of the resources and the results acquired.
Technical Expertise:
— Theoretical and practical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to surveillance of communicable and non communicable diseases , as well as a thorough knowledge of epidemiology, prevention and control methods.
— Knowledge and practical expertise in the application of the International Health Regulations, outbreak control at national and international level.
— Professional expertise in preventive public health, epidemiological research, diseases control and health services .
— Ability to analyze current surveillance systems and possess the 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 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.
IT Skills:
Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, EPI -Info and SPSS. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset.
Experience:
Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience working in epidemiology and disease prevention and control programs and in the administration of health services related to communicable and non-communicable diseases .
Desirable: Practical experience in the operational aspects of prevention and control programs and managerial experience would be an asset.
Languages:
Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
Additional Information:
PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, and 30 days annual leave. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, assignment grant, rental subsidy, and home leave.
ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM 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 ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.
THIS VACANCY MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER POSITIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT MAY BECOME VACANT AT A LATER DATE, AND WHICH HAVE SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES AS THE ONES STATED IN THIS NOTICE.
Annual salary:
(Net of tax)
US $67,483.00 at single rate
US $72,467.00 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment:
34.2 % 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.
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO’s e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment . The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
PAHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
Closing Date: Tuesday, 17 April 2012