PAHO Consultant - Guatemala - consultor nacional para la respuesta a brote de sarampión y fortalecimiento del programa regular de inmunizaciones

Organizational Context

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Job Purpose

Provide specialized technical assistance to the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) in Guatemala to strengthen the comprehensive response to the measles outbreak and consolidate the regular immunization program. This includes technical support for vaccination strategies in outbreak contexts, epidemiological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases, data analysis for decision-making, reducing access gaps, capacity building for health personnel, and risk communication and social mobilization, contributing to the sustainable strengthening of immunization services in the country.

Responsibilities

Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of vaccination strategies in outbreak contexts, including technical and logistical assistance at national and subnational levels. Support the implementation, analysis, and reporting of Rapid Vaccination Monitoring. Assist in the development, update, and implementation of microplanning for routine and outbreak vaccination. Analyze vaccination coverage, dropouts, susceptible populations, and access gaps, proposing corrective actions. Support the programming, management, and efficient use of vaccines and supplies. Conduct epidemiological analysis of outbreaks, strengthening surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) including case investigation, active search, and contact tracing. Support the strengthening of information registration, notification, and visualization systems for evidence-based decision-making. Strengthen health personnel capacities through training in vaccination, epidemiological surveillance, and outbreak response. Provide continuous technical assistance to MSPAS on immunization and surveillance guidelines. Support the design and implementation of risk communication and social mobilization strategies to promote vaccination and outbreak response. Promote community actions to improve immunization access and community VPD surveillance. Support the preparation of technical reports and strategic documents, including re-verification documentation for VPD elimination. Systematize experiences, progress, and results of outbreak response and program strengthening.

Work Experience

Essential: At least 3 years of professional experience in the health sector, preferably in coordination or technical work with the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, linked to immunization programs, primary health care, and/or epidemiological surveillance. Experience in epidemiological surveillance, outbreak investigation, and data analysis. Technical-programmatic experience in strengthening immunization services and/or surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation processes. Experience in systematizing, analyzing, and presenting programmatic and epidemiological information, as well as in preparing quality technical reports and documents. Desirable: Experience with the work processes of PAHO/WHO or other international cooperation organizations.

Skills

Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills for technical product development and institutional coordination. Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary and inter-institutional teams at national and subnational levels. Capacity for analysis and synthesis of technical and programmatic information to support evidence-based decision-making. Skill in work planning and organization, meeting established deadlines and deliverables. Flexibility to adapt to the country's epidemiological situation. Capacity for continuous adaptation and learning to incorporate new tools, technical approaches, and work processes. Technical proficiency in outbreak response strategies, immunizations, and surveillance. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, Zoom, SharePoint, and Word. Strategic planning for the design, formulation, management, development, monitoring, and evaluation of plans and projects in immunizations, outbreak response, and surveillance. Critical thinking, strategic planning, and management of technical cooperation interventions, including prioritization, impact assessment, risk mitigation. Leadership skills to foster a productive work environment, facilitate effective team communication, and mobilize resources.

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