Advisor, Air Quality

Pan American Health Organization Inc; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 73,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Washington, D.C. seeks a P-4 level professional to provide technical and strategic leadership for regional air quality and environmental health initiatives.

The role includes guiding policy development, coordinating with Member States and partners, and advancing programs that reduce health risks from air pollution. The position requires advanced degrees in relevant fields, extensive international experience, and strong analytical and communication

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in air quality, environmental science or chemical/environmental engineering.
• Master’s degree in public health or related field from a recognized university.
• Nine years of national and international experience in technical cooperation programs or health/environmental determinants of health.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and strategic leadership for planning and implementation of regional strategies, standards, policies and guidelines to reduce health vulnerability from air pollution.
• Support Member States through technical cooperation, policy guidance and development of innovative approaches to address adverse health effects of air pollution.
• Build networks of collaborating institutions, experts and partners to strengthen environmental health action.
• Analyze, consolidate and disseminate scientific information to support public policies, regulations and programs related to air quality and health.
• Mobilize resources and develop strategic partnerships to integrate air quality and health into climate change and sustainable development agendas.

Skills

Environmental health

Public health

Air quality

Urban health

Analytical & communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in air quality/environmental science/chemical or environmental engineering

Master’s degree in public health or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

PowerPoint

Teams

SharePoint

Word

Job description

Grade: P-4 Salary - Annually: Step I - 86,027.00 USD Post Adjustment - Annually: 46,970.74 USD Contractual Agreement: Staff - Professional Post

Primary Location: Washington, D.C. Organization: DHE Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity Schedule: Full time

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

• Provide technical and strategic leadership for the planning and implementation of regional strategies, standards, policies and guidelines to reduce health vulnerability associated with air pollution.
• Support Member States through technical cooperation, policy guidance and the development of innovative approaches to address the adverse health effects of air pollution.
• Build and maintain networks of collaborating institutions, experts, academic organizations and partners to strengthen environmental health action throughout the Region.
• Analyze, consolidate and disseminate scientific and evidence-based information to support the development of public policies, regulations and programs related to air quality and health.
• Mobilize resources and develop strategic partnerships to strengthen advocacy efforts and ensure that air quality and health are effectively integrated into climate change and sustainable development agendas.

For a complete list of functions, please see the post description.

What is required for this position?

Education

A bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to air quality, environmental science or chemical/environmental engineering, and a master’s degree in public health or a field related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.

Experience

Nine years of combined national and international experience in technical cooperation programs or institutions concerned with public health management or evaluation of environmental determinants of health, including air quality and sustainable development programs.

Languages

Fluency in Spanish or English with a working knowledge of the other language.

IT Skills

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

Competencies and Skills

For a complete list of competencies and skills, please refer to the post description.

The skills required are:

• Technical expertise in environmental health and public health, including in-depth knowledge of air quality and urban health.
• Capacity to innovate, integrate and create new public health strategies, initiatives and projects.
• Expertise in planning, developing and implementing environmental health protection programs.
• Managerial expertise in environmental public health programs and projects in developing countries.
• Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation projects and interventions and in the development of criteria for evaluating program interventions, budget programming and control.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to identify, assess, analyze and provide recommendations on complex political and technical issues.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the preparation of reports, presentations and technical documents.

Duration of Contract

Post of limited duration. First year probationary period.

DISCLAIMER

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

PAHO, considers official higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in one of the following databases:

• World Higher Education Database (WHED) list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be assessed through the link: http://whed.net/
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation chea.org
• College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, nces.gov to support the validation process.

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

PAHO/WHO is committed to: PAHO supports an environment of mutual respect and dignity for all applicants.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.

Maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities. Promoting 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 misconduct. Providing a smoke-free environment. Protecting the people in the communities we serve. Therefore, we have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is the specialized international health agency for the Americas. It works with countries throughout the region to improve and protect people's health. PAHO wears two institutional hats: it is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American System and also serves as Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), the specialized health agency of the United Nations.

PAHO engages in technical cooperation with its member countries to fight communicable and noncommunicable diseases and their causes, to strengthen health systems, and to respond to emergencies and disasters.

PAHO is committed to ensuring that all people have access to the health care they need, when they need it, with quality and without fear of falling into poverty.

Through its work, PAHO promotes and supports the right of everyone to good health. To advance these goals, PAHO promotes technical cooperation between countries and works in partnership with ministries of health and other government agencies, civil society organizations, other international agencies, universities, social security agencies, community groups, and other partners.

PAHO promotes the inclusion of health in all public policies and the engagement of all sectors in efforts to ensure that people live longer, healthier lives, with good health as their most valuable resource.

Under the leadership of its 51 member countries and territories, PAHO sets regional health priorities and mobilizes action to address health problems that respect no borders and that, in many cases, jeopardize the sustainability of health systems.

From its Washington, D.C., headquarters, 27 country offices and three specialized centers in the region, PAHO promotes evidence-based decision-making to improve and promote health as a driver of sustainable development.