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Influenza Surveillance Specialist Grade: P3

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:
Under the general guidance of the Manager, Health Surveillance & Disease Prevention and Control (HSD), and the direct supervision of the Senior Advisor, IHR, Alert & Response and Epidemic Diseases (HSD/IR), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:
a) Provide technical support, facilitate and follow up on activities implemented at country level for the implementation of the generic protocol for influenza surveillance and its guidelines;
b) Collaborate with Country Offices to assess influenza surveillance technical cooperation needs;
c) Participate in activities implemented at the regional and country level for the implementation of the Organization/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) generic protocol for influenza surveillance and its guidelines;
d) Update and analyze data; disseminate information pertaining to the virological and epidemiological situation of influenza in the Region;
e) Support ongoing technical collaboration and operational coordination with partner institutions and agencies in implementation of ongoing projects;
f) Facilitate HSD/CD 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;
g) Develop new projects with the Team for resource mobilization to support the implementation of activities planned in the Pandemic Plan; assist in meeting donors reporting requirements;
h) Collaborate in monitoring the implementation of the activities listed in the Organization's Strategic and Operational Plan to prepare for pandemic influenza, both at regional and national levels.
i) Lead the process of translations of relevant WHO influenza related guidelines; review, publish and disseminate;
j) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A university degree in a health related science from a recognized institution.
Desirable: A master's degree in public health or related field would be an asset.
Skills:
Key Behavioral Competencies
Intrainstitutional Action: Operates in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Ensures that the mission and the values of the Organization as well as the setting in which projects will be carried out are the drivers in one's technical work. Understands the results required and performs to that standard. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
Communication: Actively engages in conversation with the key players in a multicultural environment both within and outside the organization. Develops a network of appropriate contacts inside and outside PAHO to gain information or to build an alliance. Takes into consideration the multicultural differences within the organization.
Information Management: Takes initiative to improve systems for the presentation and dissemination of information. Supports, through competent use of the available systems and technologies, the development of data presentations.
Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: Takes or organizes individual and collective action after analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge. Continuously analyzes the evolution of situations in an area of work and makes suggestions to adjust or confirm the decisions necessary to implement required actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation between six months to one year ahead.
Teamwork: Promotes team work and leads one's area to finish tasks and accept responsibility. Creates a positive environment within the area of work. Makes everyone feel like they are part of the team as well as welcomes and appreciates everyone's ideas and suggestions. Able to see the positive aspects of working as a team, shares the team's enthusiasm for achieving mutual goals.
Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions: Identifies the risks and benefits of options for future health initiatives based on the analysis of institutional and political trends. Applies a broad approach to work in the health field.
Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions: Proposes criteria for evaluating interventions at the process, management, and outcome level, in addition to plans for evaluating technical cooperation, in keeping with the PAHO's strategic direction.
Resource Mobilization: Establishes partnerships and alliances with a variety of institutions and organizations as well as internal partnerships to obtain financial and non-financial resources. Is able to relate with all types of people and at all levels in order to obtain resources that are needed. Is able to present and disseminate information in a clear manner. Executes resources according to the agreements previously established with partnerships.

Technical Expertise
- Theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in communicable disease epidemiology;
- Organizational and analytical skills for managing influenza projects; filtering epidemiologic data produced from influenza surveillance;
- Sound knowledge and skills of the Global Influenza Surveillance Network;
- 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, Microsoft SharePoint. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Project and SAS would be an asset.
Experience:
Essential: Seven years of combined national and international experience working in epidemiology of communicable diseases.
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.
Additional Information:
PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, and 30 days annual leave. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, assignment grant, rental subsidy, and home leave.

ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM 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 ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.

THIS VACANCY MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER POSITIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT MAY BECOME VACANT AT A LATER DATE, AND WHICH HAVE SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES AS THE ONES STATED IN THIS NOTICE.
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
US$ 56,091.00 at single rate
US$ 60,091.00 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment: 44.4 % 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.

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.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.