Laboratory Surveillance Specialist Grade: P2

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Promote, coordinate and implement technical cooperation activities to reduce health, social and economic 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 will be responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Provide technical support on regional epidemiological laboratory influenza surveillance activities; collaborate in the improvement of existing laboratory surveillance systems; implement a regional integrated clinical-epidemiologic and virologic reporting system of strengthening of severe acute respiratory diseases (SARI) cases; b) Provide technical support to laboratories in countries of the Region in obtaining, analyzing and disseminating virological data; c) Consolidate and analyze of influenza epidemiological data generated by countries; d) Develop standard operating procedures for influenza team routine surveillance activities; e) Draft reports and updates of influenza-related activities in the Region; f) Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A bachelor's degree in a health-related science from a recognized university.

Skills: Key Behavioral Competencies -- Intrainstitutional Action: Displays, through behavior, understanding of PAHO's values and mission. Seeks information on and acts with understanding of the Organization's expectations while advancing further the understanding and application of its policies. Shows interest and concern for the activities related to his/her work in conjunction with the mission, values, vision and policies of the organization. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization. -- 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: Encourages team members, adds significant contribution when participating in internal and external work teams, and leads through personal example the virtues of team success--collaboration, trust, transparency and joint responsibilities. Builds and maintains mutually beneficial productive interpersonal relations based on trust, inside and outside the Organization. Keeps every team member informed as well as shares relevant and useful information. -- Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions: Processes the results of the intervention evaluations, turning them into systematized information that can support decisions on current and future interventions. -- 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. -- Knowledge Management: Shares knowledge and information appropriately and participates in activities to facilitate sharing. Develops tools and protocols for creation, integration and dissemination of knowledge. Researches opportunities, methods and approaches for delivering value through improved knowledge. -- 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 to assist managing projects and in filtering epidemiologic data; -- Ability to analyze technical information and synthesize input from multiple sources; -- 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, Access and Project would be an asset.

Experience: Five 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: *THIS ASSIGNMENT COULD BE EXTENDED FOR UP TO 18 MONTHS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE. 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.

Monthly salary: (Net of tax) US$ 5,623.18 at single rate US$ 5,623.18 with primary dependants

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.