Unit Chief, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)
The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response policy
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general supervision of the Director (D), and the direct supervision of the Director, PAHO Health Emergencies (PHE), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties:
Manage the health emergency information and risk assessment unit and networks:
•Coordinate the health emergency information and risk assessment unit, including the supervision of the WHO IHR Contact point for the WHO Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO), promoting an environment of professional inquisitiveness, anticipating new challenges and seeking solutions and evaluating their effectiveness, demonstrating to stakeholders and collaborators a commitment to excellence
•Build and facilitate the effective functioning of PAHO and inter-agency data and information networks for tracking, analysing and reporting on all health hazards associated with outbreaks and disasters, across the risk management cycle, including detection, verification and monitoring of Public Health Events under the IHR
•Lead the teams responsible for risk assessment of all acute public health events including outbreaks, and contribute to global intelligence and risk assessment for response
Implement and manage the information network:
•Implement protocols for data gathering and analysis
•Provide evidence for the impact of interventions during outbreaks and emergencies
•Investigate the origins of outbreaks and emergencies with a view to their prevention in future
•Contribute to assessments of the resources needed to contain and resolve outbreaks and emergencies
Set norms and standards:
•Adapt regionally and apply international standards and consensus for data collection and data sharing, including surveillance methods, monitoring and evaluation techniques, and mechanisms for the dissemination and communication of information
•Refine and update protocols for data gathering and analysis on the basis of learning and experience. Develop and implement strategies and policies to improve the collection and use of health information
Build capacity:
•Develop and conduct training courses and capacity building exercises for data collection and analysis and the communication of quantitative information
•Provide expert advice on methods for the collection and analysis of data and information throughout the organization and beyond
Communicate data and results to governments, donors, scientists, research institutions and the media, extending the programmatic reach of the Organization and building collaborative networks
Build awareness with recipient and donor communities of the importance of information management as part of outbreak and emergency risk management
Provide guidance on responsible and long-term investments to support information management in emergencies
Represent PAHO on all aspects of data and information for outbreaks and disasters and, as required, represent the PHE Director in fora within and external to the Organization
Identify, promote, establish, maintain and coordinate liaison across the Organization, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations or with other partners, in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness
Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Team; ensure an Organization-wide approach and strategies and objectives that are aligned with the Organization’s mission, vision, values, policies, strategies, business needs and priorities, in order to ensure continuing operations and maximize results. Ensure that the results are aligned with the Entity’s biennial and multi-year plans, including monitoring of activities, adjustments to any deviations, such as redefined objectives or strategies
Collaborate in obtaining extra-budgetary resources, financial and non-financial for the Unit’s technical cooperation, by assisting national and sub-regional authorities in the preparation of project proposals and plans for appropriate national, bilateral and international agencies
Formulate and recommend policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the Governing Bodies’ mandates related to the work of the Team; develop and establish guidelines, norms, practices and procedures to improve the Team’s effectiveness and efficiency; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the Team’s activities
Administer, allocate and monitor the Team’s financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the Team’s program and budget proposals; plan and organize the formulation, development, implementation and control of systems to monitor performance in accordance with the results-based management approach; collaborate in the preparation of the entity’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP)
Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of supervised staff by setting clear work objectives, ensuring timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, engaging in regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment, to include staff development in the Organization’s fundamentals, managerial competencies and technical expertise; participate in the process of selecting and placing professional staff of the Program at regional and country levels
Perform other related duties, as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A university degree in a health-related profession and a master’s degree in information management, public health, epidemiology or a related field from a recognized institution
Desirable: Specialized training in epidemiology, emergency /humanitarian response, leadership or management would be an asset
During the competition you may be asked to provide copies of your degrees. PAHO/WHO only considers qualifications obtained from institutions found in the following links: http://www.whed.net/; http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator.
Experience:
Essential: Thirteen years of combined national and international experience in information management in the context of international health programs, including at least 5 years of management experience in recognized senior leadership positions. Of these, at least five years should involve coordination of large scale public health projects in developing countries, with knowledge of inter-agency mechanisms in the area of international preparedness for and response to health emergencies
Desirable: Experience in WHO and/or the UN System in the areas of outbreak response and/or humanitarian interventions; field experience in public health programs or emergency response programs in developing countries would be an asset
SKILLS:
PAHO Competencies:
Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity – Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity
Teamwork: Advocates for collaboration across the Organization – Creates and encourages a climate of team- working and collaboration across the Organization; sees cooperation as a key Organizational priority and creates collaborative systems and processes to achieve Organizational goals. Actively identifies and tackles disagreements between internal and external counterparts that compromise the Organization’s goals and mandate; diplomatically facilitates the resolution of conflicts between others and ensures strategic partnerships with a range of key stakeholders; maintains and extends an effective collaborative network of individuals inside and outside the Organization
Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Share knowledge – Articulates the Organization’s strategic objectives when formulating and delivering information and presentations and adapts presentation methodology to address the needs of different audiences. Shares decisions and directives of senior management and communicates them in a manner that ensures both understanding and acceptance; shares knowledge and best practice at the three Organizational levels (country, regional and global), as necessary
Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Provide direction/Support, motivate and empower others – Oversees and provides teams and departments with clear managerial directions which are translated from Organizational strategy. Builds a performance culture in the Organization; contributes to setting Organizational performance goals and standards; monitors Organizational performance against milestones and strategic goals; identifies and nurtures talent as appropriate. Promotes autonomy and empowerment throughout the Organization; inspires enthusiasm and a positive attitude in people towards their work and contribution to the Organization’s success
Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well – Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization
Driving the Organization to a successful future: Constructive leadership style/ Set the vision and build commitment – Leads and develops a road map for successfully achieving real progress in the Organization’s mandate, including consultation with key stakeholders; demonstrates respectful, trustworthy, transparent and accountable behavior in order to develop a reliable and coherent identity for the Organization. Creates a coherent Organizational vision of shared and successful goals; fosters a culture of vision and long- term goals, recognizing and rewarding efforts to maximize the Organization’s value
Technical Expertise:
Technical: Extensive progressive expertise at a senior decision-making level in health information, risk assessment, and disease control, in particular in managing complex activities related to the implementation of international health regulations for diseases of epidemic magnitude, at both national and international levels, and health consequence of emergencies and disasters. Wide and varied knowledge of public health problems and health management processes, including monitoring and performance assessment in the health or social sector, and disciplines related to human resources management, strategic planning and reengineering processes
Managerial: Extensive expertise in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of a large public or private administration of administrative and technical matters requiring sensitive negotiation and high level intervention and in organizational development. Demonstrated ability, to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial and analytic work in health; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas
Administrative: Skills or experience with creation and integration of administrative procedures for the delivery of the highest quality results for the Team. Courtesy, tact, sensitivity to manage confidential information, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background
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
IT Skills:
Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Office suit SharePoint, One Drive, Teams are considered essential. Knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project would be an asset
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)
$ 92,731.00 post adjustment
Post Adjustment: 70.2% of the above figure(s).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THIS VACANCY NOTICE MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER SIMILAR POSITIONS AT THE SAME GRADE LEVEL.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities. PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct. PAHO/WHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution
PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy. Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world
All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile 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 organization purposes