Advisor, Immunization Grade: P4

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/12/FT185 Title: Advisor, Immunization Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract: POST OF LIMITED DURATION One year six months, first year probationary period	Date: 29 May 2012 Application Deadline: 24 June 2012 Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Buenos Aires, Argentina Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) PAHO/WHO Representative / Comprehensive Family Immunization (FCH/IM)
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 direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative, and the technical supervision of the Senior Advisor, Comprehensive Family Immunization, FCH/IM, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties: a) Provide technical advice and support in programming and evaluating national plans and strategies for national immunization programs, with respect to: - Immunization strategies; - Cold chain and safety equipment and procedures; - Delivery of vaccines and related supplies; - Training of personnel in all aspects of program implementation; - Systems for reporting immunization administered; - Organization of epidemiological surveillance systems to detect, investigate, and control cases of paralytic poliomyelitis and other vaccine-preventable diseases in the assigned countries; - Intra and extra-sectorial coordination as well as at the institutional level; - Mobilization of resources from national, and international sources through Inter-Agency Coordination Committee (ICC) partnership; and - Social mobilization for immunization programs. b) Promote sound immunization practices within extended primary health care systems in close coordination with all related programs in the countries; c) Promote the implementation of the Plan of Action of the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI); d) Develop and update national plans for comprehensive immunizations programs, including objectives, strategies and operational methodologies within primary health care systems for countries assigned; e) Prepare and coordinate training programs in the operational and administrative aspects of immunization programs, and surveillance activities for vaccine-preventable diseases; f) Provide technical advice to Member States in all aspects of program evaluation, including the development of methodologies for process and impact evaluation; g) Develop and promote research programs related to different operational and epidemiological components of immunization programs and related activities at the country level; h) Provide technical support to other national institutions, technical or operational officials, attached to the program in assigned countries in the development of national immunization programs in the region; i) Advise and coordinate with national and international organizations in making optimal use of technical, administrative and economic resources available in the region for the achievement of the overall goals of the Comprehensive Family Immunization and, in particular, the maintenance of polio-free status and the eradication of measles in the Americas; j) Collaborate with other Projects to achieve effective coordination of program activities and appropriate utilization and mobilization of resources; k) Collaborate in the introduction of new vaccines, including against rotavirus, neumococus, influenza; l) 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 Team; m) 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; n) Perform other duties recommended by the Representative in line with the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), biennial work plan (BWP), the organigram and the needed synergies among the projects and products of the Country Office; o) Perform other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A university degree in a health related profession and a master's degree in epidemiology, public health or a related field, from a recognized institution. In lieu of a master's degree, a post-graduate degree or a specialization certificate in epidemiology, public health or a related field from a recognized institution will be accepted
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. 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. 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. 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 - Extensive knowledge and expertise in the epidemiology of communicable diseases, specially 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. - 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. - Knowledge and skills in project planning and management, including resource mobilization and grant management. - 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: Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience with managerial responsibilities for disease control programs, with an emphasis in the design, implementation and evaluation of immunization programs and operational research. Of these, at least two years of participation in technical cooperation programs and activities in disease control or in immunization programs in an international health program or institution.
Languages: Very good knowledge of Spanish with a working knowledge of the English. 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$ 67,483.00 at single rate US$ 72,467.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 39.7 % 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.