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: August 2, 2023
Closing Date: August 25, 2023, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location: Off Site
Organization: IHM Infectious Hazard Management
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:
Responsibilities Under the general guidance of the Unit Chief, Infectious Hazards Management (PHE/IHM), and the direct supervision of the Advisor Viral Diseases, PHE-IHM, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: 1. Provide support in genomic strategies in the Americas within the framework of the PAHO Regional Genomic Surveillance Network. 2. To Advance in the implementation and purchases plan for genomic surveillance of emerging pathogens. 3. Coordinate actions to carry out the activity plan of the PulsNet Network of Latin America and the Caribbean (PNALC) for the surveillance of pathogens associated with foodborne diseases, which includes: training in surveillance and whole genome sequencing (laboratory and analysis) for the strengthening of genomic epidemiology; strengthening exchange and communication between countries and improvement in dissemination; strengthening of the management and documentation system within the network. 4. To Conduct the Regional Annual Face to Face Meeting of the genomic network PulseNet to be held tentatively in October 2023.
Education requirements (Qualifications) Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related science from a recognized university Desirable: Master’s degree on Microbiology or Biological Sciences Experience requirements Essential: 7 years of experience in genomic surveillance, laboratory-based foodborne disease surveillance, and related areas of work Desirable: 10 years of relevant experience; prior experience working in any of these areas of work in a national public health laboratory would be an asset
Languages: Excellent written and spoken English (and/or Spanish); working knowledge of Spanish (or English). Expected contract duration. 6 months with possibility for extension subject to performance and funding. This consultancy is expected to entail a full-time commitment.
Monthly compensation: $5,166
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.