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: May 26, 2023
Closing Date: June 15, 2023, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location: Off Site
Organization: HIM Health Emergencies Information and Risk Assessment
Schedule: Full time
PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY
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.
Organizational context The incumbent is a member of PHE’s HIM Unit. The purpose of the consultancy is to position a regional resource dedicated to supporting the Event Based Surveillance implementation, both, at PAHO and in Member States through the implementation and adoption of public health intelligence frameworks and tools under the direction of the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) team at WHO-HQ, with specific focus on supporting the EIOS Expansion Strategy.
The Detection, Verification and Risk Assessment working group (DVA) is responsible for the detection, verification, assessment and follow up of acute public health events for epidemic intelligence and event management. One of the current activities being led by the DVA team is the Epidemic intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) initiative.
The EIOS initiative is a network of organizations with one common goal: to minimize the impact of emerging risks to human health through quality and timely detection, assessment, early warning, forecasting, and reporting at the member state, regional and global levels. In doing so, it will help strengthen member state capacity for early detection and evidence-based decision making, aligning with IHR event-based surveillance capacity requirements.
The EIOS initiative Expansion Strategy provides a framework for the incremental growth of the EIOS initiative through the inclusion of new stakeholders. lt guides the processes for the identification, selection and addition of new communities and their participants. Key among these participants is the Member States.
The expansion of the EIOS initiative is more than merely providing access to the EIOS system. By participating, stakeholders become part of the EIOS initiative more broadly, and therefore part of the growing network of experts engaged in public health intelligence. They provide subject matter expertise and receive and share information to facilitate the early detection, verification, and assessment of public health risks for subsequent response efforts. Stakeholders also contribute to the improvement of the EIOS system itself by identifying issues, collaborating on improvements, enriching the sources, and helping refine the features of the system.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Under the general supervision of the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment Unit Chief (PHE/HIM), and the direct supervision of the team lead of Detection, Verification and Risk Assessment unit (DVA), the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties:
- Collaborate in carrying out Event Based Surveillance (EBS) and disseminate information across the organization.
- Collaborate in the dissemination of information on EBS, and indicator-based surveillance to PAHO/WHO Representatives, national counterparts and the general public, including the internal dissemination of events via the publication of the Summary of Events, and the dissemination of Alerts to the international community via the Epidemiological Alert and shared information to WHO to be posted in the WHO Event Information Site.
- Participate in the duty officer system to ensure 24/7 coverage of urgent communications from Member States and Country Offices related to event detection, verification and risk assessment, ensuring that the information from such communications flows rapidly to appropriate offices/officers, and ensure necessary action is taken in a timely manner, especially during non-working hours.
- Prepare the social risk report by using data on Artificial Intelligence platform and disseminate the cleared report internally;
- Collaborate in training national officers in the use of Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS).
- Provide support to the EIOS Core Team on behalf of the Regional Team regarding EIOS efforts, as requested by the EIOS Core Team.
- Coordinate all activities with the PAHO EIOS Focal Point Team.
- Prepare the Natural hazard report by using EIOS, and disseminate the report internal and externally;
- Perform other related tasks as assigned.
Education requirements (Qualifications)
Essential: University degree in epidemiology, public health, international/ global health, or related field.
Desirable: Advanced (Masters level or higher) university degree in epidemiology, public health, international / global health or related field OR a degree (undergraduate level or higher) in international relations, political science, communication, or related field.
Experience requirements
Essential: At least 3 years of experience in applied epidemiology or public health with a track record in engaging with stakeholders, building networks, and facilitating cross-organizational collaboration and dialogue.
Desirable: At least 2 years of experience with event-based surveillance systems, their functionality, and a good understanding on the main principles of public health intelligence are significant assets.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Working knowledge of French or Portuguese would be an asset.
Location:
The incumbent will be expected to perform this position’s duties and responsibilities remotely.
Expected contract duration
One year with possibility for extension subject to performance and funding. This consultancy is expected to entail a full–time commitment.
Compensation: USD $3,444.00
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.