Specialist, Neglected Diseases 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 supervision of the Manager, Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control (HSD), and the direct supervision of Senior Advisor, Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases (HSD/CD), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to: a) Provide technical support for the implementation of the WHO Global Plan to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases 2008-2015 and the PAHO plan framework for Control and Elimination of Five Neglected Infectious Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean (2010-2015); b) Collaborate, support and strengthen the coordination between the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas (OEPA), US Agency for International Development (USAID), WHO and the Organization to assist Member States in the elimination of onchocerciasis in order to obtain WHO certification of elimination of onchocerciasis (ocular morbidity, transmission); c) Collaborate in providing technical support to strengthen the capacity of Member States to implement the Organization's Directing Council Resolutions CD48.R12, Elimination of Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) in the Americas and CD49.R19, Elimination of Neglected and other poverty related infections in the Americas; promote the achievement of the public health goals set in these resolutions, particularly those related to lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthasis (STH), and trachoma; d) Strengthen the capacity of Member States to implement the World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution 54.19 regarding the provision and regular coverage with preventive chemotherapy of at least 75% to 100% of school-age children living in areas of risk of morbidity from soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis through direct and indirect technical collaboration; e) Provide technical support for the planning and implementation of training workshops, seminars, and direct technical cooperation and follow-up with Member States to assist in the design and implementation of their integrated national action plans for the control or elimination of Neglected Infectious Diseases -including onchocerciasis for the endemic countries; f) Collaborate in the organization of surveillance databases for Latin American Countries for the monitoring of onchocerciasis and other Neglected Infectious Diseases; analyze and develop trend analysis and recommendations of the information for decision-making purposes, dissemination of scientific knowledge to promote public health advocacy in Latin American Countries; g) Collaborate in the development and strengthen links between parasitic disease control and other disease control programs, such as, tuberculosis, malaria, ocular health, integrated vector management, Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), immunizations, indigenous health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and environmental and occupational health in order to enhance coverage and control of parasitic diseases, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness; h) Provide technical support for the development and follow-up of demonstration projects for testing integrated, inter-sectorial, inter-programmatic and multi-disease approaches to neglected tropical diseases prevention and control, and their use as an entry point to combat poverty, promote sustainable development, and address the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other international and regional mandates; i) Collaboration within the Team and Entity in the areas of epidemiological information systems development, develop country epidemiological profiles of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), databases and maps, neglected populations and the key external determinants of these diseases; j) Identify and establish collaboration mechanism with other stakeholders, interested institutions and Ministers of Health to develop and implement proposals for the use of maps of key social determinants of Neglected Infectious Diseases (NID), maps of key environmental variables and available epidemiological data to predict disease distribution, identify and map probable areas of risk, model the impact of different public health and intersectoral interventions; k) Collaborate in the preparation of basic epidemiological analysis and preparation of situation analyses for NID; l) Collaborate in the review and evaluation of research and research proposals on NID control and elimination; m) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A university degree in a health-related science from a recognized university. Desirable: A master's degree in public health or related field would be an asset.
Skills: Key Behavioral Competencies Intra-institutional 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. 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. Analysis and 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. 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. 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. 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. Resource Mobilization: Establishes partnership 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 partnership. Technical Expertise - Theoretical and practical knowledge of the international public health field and of disease surveillance, including the collection, analysis and dissemination of information. - Strong managerial, project monitoring and execution skills, including operational aspects of prevention and control programs, as well as clinical expertise. - Ability to analyze current surveillance systems and possess the capability to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for their improvement; familiarity with the strengths and limitations of surveillance systems at the national and regional levels. - Sound judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key technical and managerial issues. - 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 SAS, SPSS, EpiInfo, and Project will be an asset. Familiarity with software for mapping, GIS and/or statistical analysis will be an asset
Experience: Essential: Seven years of combined national and international experience working in disease prevention and control programs and in the implementation of health projects or health research, including practical public health experience in the control of parasitic diseases. Desirable: Project or program management experience, at the national level, and participation in international disease control or elimination programs will be an asset.
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: 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.