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Advisor, Public Health Data Analysis

Washington D.C.

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Washington D.C.
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Statistics
    • Information Technology and Computer Science
    • Scientist and Researcher
    • Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health
  • Closing Date: Closed

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 Department of Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH) is responsible for leading the Organization into the modern era of information for health, including data management, forecasting and scenario setting, using cutting edge information technology. EIH will be responsible for setting models, norms and standards for strengthening governance mechanisms for information systems for health in line with the Organization’s policies and strategies for integrated and interoperable systems. The Department will participate in the monitoring of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and measurement of inequity and inequality in health. The Department will gather and provide strategic information and intelligence to develop and support the implementation of evidence-based policies and sound decisions on public health matters in collaboration with all Pan American Sanitary Bureau (PASB) entities, Member States and partners. EIH will coordinate internal PASB efforts, and collaborate with WHO, and other UN and Inter-American system agencies to support the needs of Member States and the Secretariat in the areas under its responsibility.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general guidance of the Director, Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH) and the direct supervision of the Senior Advisor, Health Analysis, Metrics and Evidence (EIH/HA), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

  1. Provide statistical and analytical expertise, technical guidance and strategic direction to support evidence-based decision making in addressing critical public health priorities among Member States;
  2. Develop and apply appropriate, robust scenario and modeling methods, using quantitative and qualitative techniques, to forecast public health outcomes to inform Member States and the Organization’s technical entities in prospective planning for epidemiologically relevant diseases and events;
  3. Lead the design of data modeling processes to create algorithms for predictive models and analyses to apply data science in public health analyses that provide critical information and insight for strategic decision making at the regional, sub-regional, and Member State levels;
  4. Manage large data sets from multiple and disparate sources from Member States and PAHO technical entities to identify patterns and trends and solve statistical queries, making use of machine learning, deep learning, text analytics, among others;
  5. Collaborate with internal colleagues, national authorities, and external experts in relevant working groups to produce informational and analytical technical content that contribute to the EIH Department’s key projects, Health in the Americas initiative (HIA), Evidence, Monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Health Equity, and Information Systems, among others;
  6. Provide Member States with technical cooperation to develop and implement methodologies and techniques to integrate data and analysis as part of the routine decision-making process, tailoring information to non-technical audiences when relevant;
  7. Advise on and coordinate the collection and dissemination of relevant technical and scientific information to ensure technical excellence in all materials produced;
  8. Gather, process, and organize necessary input data (structured and unstructured) for models, utilizing data from UN interagency estimates, surveys, administrative data, and other metadata;
  9. Generate analytical reports, charts, tables, figures, presentations and other materials (including manuscripts and publications) tailored towards different audiences based on the interpretations of the conducted analyses;
  10. Collaborate closely with PAHO epidemiologists, programmers, and statisticians to develop and utilize analytical models to conduct analyses, including to assess the potential impact of policy and intervention options on the disease burden, factoring in costs, policy options, time, etc;
  11. Produce concept papers, preliminary analyses, and briefings to support the use of data analytics and data science techniques throughout the Organization and in Member States;
  12. Contribute to other analytical efforts of the EIH Department, including SDG monitoring, health equity monitoring, the Health in the Americas project, strengthening Information Systems for Health (IS4H), among others;
  13. Promote the mobilization of national and international (human and financial) resources in support of the Department’s programs and/or projects at the regional, subregional, and national level;
  14. Participate in the preparation of the Department’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget and technical evaluation reports;
  15. 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;
  16. Review, produce and/or update training materials and other technical documents related to the application of statistical methods in public health;
  17. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health, data science, social science, or quantitative-related discipline and a master’s degree in data science, biostatistics, statistics, demography, epidemiology, mathematics, public health, or in any of the areas related to the functions of the position, from a recognized university.

Desirable: A PhD degree in biostatistics, data science, mathematics, public health, or a related field, with a focus on quantitative analysis would be an asset.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. 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 and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience:

Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in applying complex statistical modeling and health analysis to public health issues; monitoring global public health indicators such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inequalities in health. Experience managing and analyzing large datasets from health and related areas using analytical software such as SAS, SPSS, STATA.

Desirable: Understanding or experience with databases, such as MySQL and Postgres and coding languages such as R, and Python.

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: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - 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: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
  • Communication: Share knowledge - Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
  • Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
  • 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.
  • Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration - Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.

Technical Expertise:

  • Demonstrated ability to apply data science and complex analytical techniques to public health issues using large data sets from various sources, including from non-health sectors such as education, agriculture, democracy and governance, environment, among others.
  • Proven experience in applying research methodologies and statistical techniques (e.g., regression models, time series analysis, probability distribution models, etc.)
  • Experience in transforming analyses into briefing documents and other technical and policy materials for senior leadership within the Organization and for Member States.
  • Strong professional oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across multi-disciplinary areas, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization, making use of appropriate data visualizations and reporting technologies.
  • Excellent knowledge of the principles and recent developments in epidemiology and public health surveillance.
  • Demonstrated skills in coordinating the preparation and compilation of technical materials and written outputs for inclusion in publications or other health or social science-related initiatives.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize statistical software programs such as STATA, SAS, SPSS, R, Excel, and other related programs.

Knowledge of MySQL and scripting languages such as R and Python would be considered an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

US$ 74,913.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 49.6% 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test may be used as a form of screening.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org

PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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