Advisor, Tuberculosis Prevention & Control

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/10/TA160 Title: Advisor, Tuberculosis Prevention & Control Grade: P4 Contract type: Temporary appointment Duration of contract: Temporary assignment, 9 months	Date: 31 August 2010 Original published date: 31 August 2010 Application Deadline: 9 March 2011 (9 day(s) until closing deadline) Republished (Currently accepting applications) Duty Station: Lima, Peru Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control/ Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases (HSD/CD)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Promote, coordinate, and implement technical cooperation activities to reduce health, social and economical burden of communicable and non communicable diseases, focusing in the 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: Summary of Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative, and the general supervision of the Senior Advisor, Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases (HSD/CD), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Provide technical assistance to the National TB Control Programs (NTPs) in the Ministries of Health, including the NTP of Peru, related to diagnosis, treatment regimens, patient monitoring, and social support, with special emphasis on management of Multidrug Resistance Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Extensively Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB); b) Provide technical assistance for the development and implementation of national MDR-TB Expansion plans; c) Provide technical assistance to countries for projects approved by the Green Light Committee (GLC) in the preparation of their guidelines for clinical program management of (MDR-TB) and (XDR-TB); provide technical assistance for reviewing and updating MDR and XDR-TB national guidelines; d) Make joint recommendations with the supranational reference laboratory (SRL) for the operation of laboratory networks, in order to improve timely diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of MDR-TB cases; e) Prepare and coordinate regional workshops to monitor and evaluate the implementation of MDR-TB activities; f) Conduct field missions to countries of the Region to monitor the application of MDR-TB guidelines and compliance with the international recommendations; g) Provide technical assistance to countries in assessing the participation of TB providers other than NTP in TB control; h) Provide technical assistance for the implementation of International Standards for TB Care; prepare and coordinate monitoring meetings for the Public-private Mix (PPM) initiative; i) 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; j) Perform other duties as may be assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A university degree in a health-related profession and a master's degree from a recognized university in epidemiology or public health from a recognized institution.
Skills: Key Behavioral Competencies Intrainstitutional 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. Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: After analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge, leads one's area of responsibility toward individual and collective actions. Encourages the importance of continual analysis. Verifies and promotes that action is taken in situations that will require future intervention, based on ongoing analysis. Leads others in decisions needed to implement required actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of analyzed situations between one and two years ahead. 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. 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 and 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 knowledge and practical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to prevention and control of communicable diseases with emphasis in tuberculosis; technical competence in the area of tuberculosis control programs, including the implementation and expansion of the MDR-TB, XDR-TB, and PPM strategy. - Theoretical and practical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to tuberculosis, as well as a through knowledge of epidemiology and prevention and control methods. - Knowledge of health service policies and administration in the framework of local health system development and primary health care. - 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 and Outlook. 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 tuberculosis control, including program management and implementation of projects, supervision, training and/or research.
Languages: Very good knowledge of English and Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
Additional Information: A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW MAY BE HELD FOR THIS POST. APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.
Monthly salary: (Net of tax) $5,616.25 at single rate $5,616.25 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 39.1 % 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