OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
This is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)
Contractual Agreement: Non-Staff – International PAHO Consultant
Job Posting: September 5, 2023
Closing Date: September 14, 2023, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location: Off Site
Organization: HEO Health Emergencies Office
Schedule: Full time
PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY
A PAHO Consultant may be engaged on a full-time or part-time basis for the purpose of performing a specific time-limited piece of work for PAHO in a technical advisory capacity or consultative capacity. Examples of the type of work for which a consultant contract should normally be issued are: analysis and advice on public health, medical, scientific or other health and related technical issues in countries, including the analysis of the national health situation, evaluation of national health programs, the establishment of local alliances and networks; direct technical assistance to address a particular health issue in countries (including disease outbreaks, response to emergencies, specialized training, research, development of policies, norms and protocols, etc.
Internationally-hired consultant: An internationally-hired consultant is a person who is not living or residing in the country and who has been hired from outside the country where the work is to be performed. The work performed by internationally-hired consultants is regional or subregional in scope (not country specific). An international consultant will normally be hired for periods not exceeding a continuous duration of up to one (1) year, renewable for a second period of up to one (1) year, for the same tasks as described in the ToRs, within the same work plan and/or project. Upon completion of a series of continuous contracts that equal 24 months in duration.
Pay Band B-Middle level is applicable cases where the work is at a level equivalent to work at the P.3/P.4 levels. This pay band should be used for work that requires a number of years of first-hand technical experience in the subject matter area of work
….Hiring managers will be responsible for reviewing the consultant contract and for ensuring that: the services to be rendered match the criteria of the type of services to be provided by the consultant pursuant to the Consultant Policy; and those decisions on contracting and all other matters of substance are taken in accordance with policy provisions…
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Objectives of the Department 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.
Responsibilities: Under the general guidance of the Sub-Regional Advisor (Caribbean), Health Emergencies, and direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR), the consultant is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Provide technical support for the establishment and/or strengthening of the national disaster prevention and preparedness program in the health sector of Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, and respond to national emergencies and disasters, be they natural, technological, biological, chemical, radiological, or resulting from social conflicts; b) Provide technical support for the implementation of the PHE Strategic Plan in Jamaica, Cayman Island, Bermuda, and throughout the Caribbean, including but not limited to disaster risk reduction, country preparedness, emergency operations, health information and risk assessment; c) Assist national authorities with policies, norms, standards and guidelines to support the development of critical core capacities for global health security, including training and support to national authorities to develop critical core capacities; d) Support, in the context of the International Health Regulations (IHR), the prevention, early detection, verification, risk assessment and investigation of epidemic prone infectious hazards in the Caribbean, and the analysis and dissemination of data related to the occurrence of outbreaks, in close collaboration with relevant teams at sub-regional and regional levels; e) Identify and support catalytic areas where disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation and adaptation measures can be integrated and add value to ongoing or planned technical cooperation support interventions; f) Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of the PHE’s and PAHO Jamaica’s Biennial Work Plans (BWPs) and the execution of international cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities; g) Assist with the implementation of the health emergency related projects and grants, including those financed by voluntary contributions and bilateral/multilateral agreements; h) Coordinate all health activities related to health emergencies with the Ministry of Health, other government institutions, UN Agencies, and national and international NGOs present in Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda; i) Support the preparation and dissemination of technical material and other information to promote public awareness and positive action on disaster issues; j) Provide technical support for the rapid assessment of health-related needs and the coordination of an appropriate international health response in the case of disasters in the Caribbean; assist the UN System agencies in providing the health expertise and information required, in particular to the UN Disaster Assessment Coordination Team (UNDAC), ECLAC and other evaluation teams; k) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
Education requirements (Qualifications) Essential: A university degree in health, social, or environmental science and a master’s degree in a health science, public health, or in a discipline related to emergency and disaster management from a recognized institution. Desirable: A degree in medicine or specialized training in emergency and outbreak management or specific training in humanitarian response, disaster preparedness, or risk reduction would be an asset. Experience requirements Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in a managerial position in public health, social services, or disaster management (prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery). Desirable: Experience in the UN System with knowledge of inter-agency mechanisms in the area of national and international preparedness for and response to health emergencies would be an asset. Field experience in public health programs or emergency management programs in developing countries, including coordination of large scale public health projects, would be an asset. Expected contract duration 11 Months: 1 October 2023 to 31 August 2024
Monthly Payment: USD$6,273.00 Location: Jamaica
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
- Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this consultancy. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile in Stellis is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are no accessible.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO/WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO/WHO Regulations, and e-Manual.
- For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
- PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- PAHO 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 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 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 has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
- Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between PAHO and the Consultant.
- PAHO/WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by PAHO/WHO.
