Technical Officer, Influenza Surveillance

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 objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response Policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Unit Chief, Infectious Hazards Management (PHE/IHM), and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Epidemic-prone Diseases Epidemiology (PHE/IHM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties:

a)Provide technical cooperation to countries in the Americas to strengthen, monitor, and evaluate surveillance systems for influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and ORV, zoonotic influenza, and other unusual respiratory events at national and local levels, including through country missions;

b)Provide technical expertise to national counterpart to support the development and revision of data collection protocols for respiratory disease surveillance at the country level;

c)Assess needs and deliver targeted training on surveillance of seasonal and pandemic influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and ORV;

d)Provide technical expertise in the regional consolidation of epidemiologic and virologic surveillance data on influenza, COVID[1]19, RSV, ORV, zoonotic influenza, and other unusual respiratory events;

e)Identify training needs and implement capacity-building initiatives to support regional guidelines for identifying, reporting, and managing unusual respiratory events;

f)Participate in and facilitate pandemic preparedness and response evaluations, focusing on zoonotic influenza, including lessons[1]learned workshops, simulation exercises, and intra-action reviews;

g)Facilitate the planning, organization, and execution of meetings related to the Intersectoral Commission for the Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Influenza in the Americas;

h)Contribute to the preparation of regional reports, newsletters, and meetings on zoonotic influenza and other unusual respiratory diseases;

i)Update and analyze data; disseminate information pertaining to the virological and epidemiological situation of influenza in the Region;

j)Facilitate technical cooperation to National Influenza Centers; promote the creation of new National Influenza Centers and analyze and evaluate regional data entered into FluNet to strengthen influenza surveillance in the Region;

k)Develop new projects with the Team for resource mobilization to support the implementation of activities related to planning for pandemics; assist in meeting donors reporting requirements;

l)Participate in the Organization’s emergency and disaster response operations, as required;

m)Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or any field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A master’s and/or doctoral degree in any of the following subjects would be an asset: medicine, veterinary medicine, or epidemiology. It would also be desirable to have completed a field epidemiology training program.

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: Seven years of combined national and international experience working in surveillance of communicable diseases, including surveillance of influenza and other respiratory diseases.

Desirable: Experience working with the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS).

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 technical cooperation strategies, and best practices to support surveillance for influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and ORV, zoonotic influenza and other unusual respiratory events.

-Expertise in monitoring, evaluating, and strengthening surveillance systems for respiratory diseases, including zoonotic influenza.

-Strong understanding of zoonotic influenza and other respiratory pathogens.

-Sound knowledge of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS).

-Excellent organizational and analytic skills combined with 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.

-Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills.

-Demonstrated ability to assess, analyze and synthesize large datasets and provide recommendations on key technical issues

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

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

USD $64,121.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment:70.2% 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.