Advisor, Influenza and Hepatitides Grade: P4

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To provide technical and strategic support to strengthen national and regional capacity to protect all people at risk against vaccine-preventable diseases through advocacy, partnership, preparedness for emerging disease threats, and formulation of evidence-based strategies for vaccination policy. In so doing, promotes, coordinates and implements technical cooperation activities that emphasize the central role of family and the community to foster a culture of health promotion and protection where health becomes a social value. The work of the immunization program is guided by the principles of access and equity, disease control, and development of public health infrastructure in the context of introducing new technologies and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the Manager, Family and Community Health (FCH), and the direct supervision of the Senior Advisor, Comprehensive Family Immunization (FCH/IM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: -a) Provide technical advice to facilitate the implementation of the technical cooperation program of work for the accomplishment of vaccine-preventable diseases, within the context of the Regional Immunization Vision Strategy; -b) Collaborate in the implementation and monitoring of the work plan for seasonal and influenza pandemic and viral hepatitides diseases; advise and analyze all issues pertaining to the Project, including: --i) Immunization strategies employed particularly for seasonal and influenza pandemic viral hepatitides and vaccination; --ii) Training of personnel in all aspects of program implementation; --iii) Systematized methods for reporting administered immunization; --iv) Organization of epidemiological surveillance systems for vaccines-preventable diseases; --v) Intra and extra-sectorial coordination as well as at the institutional level; and --vi) Social mobilization for immunization programs. -c) Oversee the preparation and coordination of international training programs on: operational and administrative aspects of immunization programs; mobilization of resources; program management; relevant technical issues; and, specialized surveillance activities for vaccine-preventable diseases particularly seasonal and influenza pandemic and viral hepatitides; -d) Develop methodologies and protocols for: burden of diseases and conducting cost effectiveness studies for the introduction of seasonal vaccines, particularly in the basic immunization programs in the context of the Family and Community Vaccination; -e) Provide technical advice to Member States in all aspects of program evaluation including the development of methodologies and indicators for process and impact assessment; -f) Mobilize and manage extra budgetary resources, including preparation of funding proposals and writing progress reports, in support of national and regional programs, and in accordance with the project's resource mobilization plan; -g) Develop and promote research programs related to different operational and epidemiological components of immunization programs and related activities at the country level; -h) Collaborate with other Projects to achieve effective coordination of program activities and appropriate utilization and mobilization of resources; -i) Collaborate in the preparation of biennial programs and budgets, semiannual work plans and periodic evaluations for assigned projects; participate in the annual evaluation of the Entity; -j) 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; -k) Perform other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A university degree in a health-related science and a master's degree in epidemiology, public health or related field from a recognized institution.
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. --Teamwork: Embraces and leads consensual decision-making, that is, leading the fulfillment of team decisions, even when they may not fully coincide with one's own opinions or proposals. Knows how to manage difficult team situations and promotes consensus building. Takes responsibility for the team's successes and failures. --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. --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 - (L04): 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. --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 Technical Expertise: --Extensive knowledge and expertise in the epidemiology of communicable diseases, especially vaccine-preventable diseases; use of epidemiological principles and methods to solve problems related to vaccine-preventable diseases; ability to respond objectively to unforeseen problems and exercise sound judgment in finding technical solutions within the framework of organizational policy. --Demonstrated ability in the application of epidemiological techniques and procedures for analyzing the magnitude of vaccine preventable diseases or conditions affecting the health of the population, determining factors which influence the magnitude of these diseases or conditions; applying and evaluating selected interventions designed to reduce the magnitude of these diseases. --Broad knowledge of organization and implementation of public health programs and public health administration. --Broad knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria and instruments for evaluating programs intervention. --Excellent knowledge of health research methodology, health research analysis; ability to plan and prepare proposals and activities. --Demonstrated ability to negotiate and coordinate activities with all relevant sectors of government, international agencies, the private sector and organized community groups. --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, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project would be an asset.
Experience: Nine years of combined national and international experience in disease prevention and control programs, with an emphasis in the design, implementation and evaluation of immunization programs. Of these, at least two years of participation in technical cooperation programs and activities in disease prevention and control or in immunization programs in an international health program or institution.
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: 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.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$67.395.00 at single rate US$72.373.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 44.6 % 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.
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