L’Organisation panaméricaine de la santé recrute un Conseiller, Épidémiologie et urgences sanitaires, Port-au-Prince, Haïti

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 guidance of the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR) and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Health Emergencies (PHE/HTI), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Advise, plan, develop, coordinate, and implement the programmatic workplan related to epidemiological surveillance, laboratory surveillance of epidemic- and pandemic-prone diseases, as well as outbreak investigation at national level in Haiti;
2. Provide technical recommendations for the implementation of prevention and control measures for diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential, particularly with regard to surveillance and response and in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR);
3. Provide technical cooperation related to the development of core capacities in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005), including the implementation of the recommendations related to the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) conducted in 2019;
4. Support the annual self-assessment of core capacities related to the IHR-2005;
5. Advise and support the institutional strengthening of epidemiologic surveillance, including the National Public Health Laboratory (LNSP), to provide timely and accurate information on diseases with epidemic potential including influenza and other severe acute respiratory diseases as well as those preventable by vaccination;
6. Provide technical advice and guidance to the Ministry of Health (MSPP) for the development and implementation of national strategies for the prevention and response to epidemics (e.g. cholera);
7. Collaborate in the implementation and management of projects aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality from diseases with epidemic potential, as well as prepare project proposals to mobilize financial resources from international partner agencies;
8. Strengthen the Ministry of Health’s Department of Epidemiology (DELR)’s alert and response system, both at central and departmental level, to detect, characterize, deploy laboratory surveillance tools, and respond to epidemics;
9. Support national authorities to develop and disseminate contingency plans for the response to various epidemics in the country and any that should arise;
10. Manage the production and timely dissemination of high-quality relevant data and information, including internal and external situation reports (SitReps), the bulletins, health risk assessments and health contributions to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP);
11. Act as first-line emergency responder in case of an epidemic in line with the PAHO Policy and procedures for Institutional Response to Emergencies and Disasters and serve as deputy incident manager, as needed, and support the Incident Manager in the country in case of a graded emergency;
12. Coordinate and collaborate with the Incident Manager and/or PHE advisor in the planning, development, and implementation of binational plans of action for health emergencies, as required;
13. Coordinate laboratory and epidemiological surveillance response activities country wide in case of an epidemic in line with the Government counterpart and PAHO response plan;
14. Contribute to the preparation and management of the Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and budgets, and periodic evaluation of projects;
15. Contribute to the coordination and communication with partners, with an emphasis on partners who are members of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) at country level;
16. Contribute to the preparation of relevant donor reports for funds managed by PHE;
17. When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, participate in any needed recruitment of personnel (consultants and staff), provide coaching and feedback, maintain staff morale and support staff development opportunities;
18. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

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

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.  WHO, only considers higher educational qualifications 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/search/default.asp 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 the field of epidemic-prone diseases and practical experience in the implementation of prevention and control programs, including surveillance at national and/or international levels. Experience in project management; field experience in public health and response to epidemics in developing countries, including coordination of large-scale public health emergencies.

Desirable:  Experience working in challenging conditions (such as war, insecurity, gang violence, political unrest, etc.). Experience in the UN System with knowledge of inter-agency mechanisms in the area of health emergencies would be assets.

 

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 – 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.
• 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 public health aspects related to prevention and control of diseases with epidemic potential, with a focus on outbreaks and response strategies.
• Ability to analyze surveillance systems and to develop and plan appropriate improvement measures.
• Ability to think strategically and to demonstrate initiative, leadership qualities, and skill in dealing with difficult situations; proven ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize, and make recommendations on technical issues.
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation, and analysis of the program and technical cooperation activities, including budget planning and execution as well as supervision of personnel.
• Ability to analyze and manage complex situations including the prioritization and planning of short and long term actions.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment in a country with a complex situation.
• Strong inter-personnel skills, diplomacy, and tact to communicate effectively with senior officials, multiple stakeholders, and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including development of reports and oral presentations.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of French with a working knowledge of English. Knowledge of Haitian Creole and / or Spanish 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

Monthly Salary: (Net of taxes)

US$6,300.17 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment:

US$4,498.32  This amount 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 identify candidates to fill other similar short-term professional positions, at the same grade level.
• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.  A written test and/or interview will be held for this position as a form of screening.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
• 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 committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO 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 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 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 has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.