Advisor, Public Health Laboratory and Networking

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 Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) increases 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 direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Infectious Hazard Management (PHE/IHM) and the general supervision of the Deputy Director, Health Emergencies (PHE), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1.Promote and implement global and regional strategic plans for the implementation of an integrated Public Health Laboratory System for the prevention, control and elimination of communicable diseases and the preparedness and response to epidemic- and pandemic-prone pathogens;

2.Promote good laboratory practices and quality management systems for public health and medical laboratories, including for quality assurance policies;

3.Provide technical cooperation to Member States in the development of national laboratory policies, laboratory guidelines and standards, and laboratory information systems, for an efficient and sustainable quality assurance implementation;

4.Promote biosafety, biosecurity, maintenance and safe transportation of infectious substances in the Region;

5.Provide advice for the institutional development of public health and medical laboratories in the Region;

6.Monitor, develop and introduce new technologies for upgrading laboratory capacity for detection, genomic characterization, and genomic surveillance;

7.Provide technical cooperation in the development and coordination of the regional and national laboratory capabilities, in collaboration with PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers, the directors of reference laboratories, epidemiologists and other relevant national counterparts, and professionals within PHE and in other PAHO Departments;

8.Ensure the integration of an inter-programmatic task force to strengthen the detection and characterization of outbreaks under IHR (2005) notification, such as cholera, meningococcal disease, plague, leptospirosis, other zoonotic diseases, water-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, coherent with a One Health Approach;

9.Provide advice and support to regional and sub-regional laboratory networks and public health institutions and facilitate technical cooperation within and among sub-regional integration organisms, such as RAIS/ORAS-CONHU in South America, REDLAB in Central America, and CARPHA in the Caribbean;

10.Develop and participate in training programs for laboratory technicians, medical students and health personnel, including the Global Laboratory Leadership Program;

11.Determine and respond to the needs in the areas of integrated laboratory evidence-based surveillance;

12.Provide advice and assistance to national authorities in the investigation and control of communicable diseases within the context of the International Health Regulations (2005);

13.Support the development, planning, supervision and management of research programs or special studies on diseases important to the Region;

14.Provide technical advice and assistance to PWR offices for the assessment and solution of priority health and managerial issues relevant to laboratory services;

15.Identify and mobilize human, information and financial resources for strengthening laboratories;

16.Collaborate in the development of related publications and other technical written materials;

17.Cooperate and collaborate with other projects to achieve efficient coordination of activities, systematic utilization of resources and comprehensive development of study, research and analytical capacities required for the control of communicable diseases;

18.Contribute to the preparation of biennial programs and budgets (BWP), semiannual workplans and periodic evaluations for assigned projects; participate in the annual performance evaluation of the entity;

19.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;

20.Participate as part of the PAHO/WHO emergency response team, as required;

21.Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A university degree in laboratory sciences and a master’s degree in laboratory sciences, or a field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A PhD in microbiology 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: Nine years of combined national and international experience in laboratory with particular emphasis on laboratory microbiological techniques, including bacteriology, parasitology, virology, serology and immunology.Experience working in a reference laboratory, in technical cooperation programs and activities related to epidemiological surveillance and database management.

Desirable:Experience in setting up or managing laboratory networks and/or in laboratories in low- and/or middle-income countries 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.

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 knowledge and practical expertise at the highest level in the management and leadership of a public health reference laboratory and all aspects related to laboratory services, quality assurance, biosafety, biosecurity, epidemiology, risk assessment, risk communication and microbiology, immunology, biotechnology, biochemistry and public health.

–Theoretical and practical expertise to plan, organize and evaluate health laboratory networks at the international, multinational, national and subnational levels and taking into consideration the promotion and strengthening of the decentralization process.

–Theoretical and practical expertise for the promotion of technical cooperation among countries; analyze information, identify problems and recommend solutions or adjustments that consider the particular situations in different countries.

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

–Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

–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.

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 $84,672.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment:55.4% 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.