Technical Officer, Acute Events Management

Join us and help strengthen the Region’s capacity to detect, verify, and respond to acute public‑health events

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), is seeking a motivated, analytical, and highly collaborative Technical Officer, Acute Events Management to support critical work in epidemic intelligence, food safety emergencies, and implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR).

As part of the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment (PHE/HIM) Unit, you will contribute to strengthening surveillance, verification, and rapid assessment of acute public‑health events across the Region. Working closely with the Detection, Verification & Risk Assessment (DVA) Team, as well as National IHR Focal Points and the INFOSAN Secretariat, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring fast, coordinated, and high‑quality information flow during emergencies.

What will you do?

Under the direct supervision of the Advisor, Detection, Verification & Risk Assessment (HIM/DVA), and the general guidance of the Unit Chief, Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment (PHE/HIM), the selected candidate will:

• Support implementation of activities within the entity’s program of work, including application of the International Health Regulations (IHR).

• Collaborate on communication management for acute public‑health events involving foodborne diseases or contamination of food.

• Review, update, and publish National IHR Focal Point Standard Operating Procedures.

• Ensure that foodborne‑related public‑health events are assessed and registered in the WHO Event Management System (EMS).

• Analyze EMS information to evaluate timeliness of detection, verification, and response.

• Evaluate results of the biannual communication test with INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points.

• Assess IHR Annual Confirmation results and coordinate with Member States to address challenges.

• Conduct periodic analyses of use of the WHO Event Information Site by PAHO and national focal points.

• Prepare reports for briefing documents and governing bodies.

• Participate in emergency and disaster response operations as part of the Regional Disaster Response Team.

• Perform other related duties, including backstopping as required.

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

What is required for this position?

Education
Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health or social science, or in any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.
Desirable: A master’s degree in a health or social science, or in any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

Experience
Essential: Seven years of combined national and international experience working in epidemiology, communicable diseases, and public health. Experience in epidemiology and surveillance of infectious diseases, complemented by experience in collection and verification of epidemic intelligence and international risk assessment.
Desirable: Experience in detection, verification, alert and response, International Health Regulations (IHR‑2005), INFOSAN Emergency Contact Point functions, and international experience in technical cooperation programs in health would be an asset.

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

IT Skills
Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). 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:
• Knowledge of principles of international health regulations related to detection, verification, and risk assessment.
• Ability to design, analyze, and operate information systems, including databases.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, mature judgment, and take initiative in procuring intelligence for decision‑making.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to multitask and deliver accurate results under pressure.
• Ability to integrate managerial and administrative inputs into decision‑making recommendations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including development of reports, presentations, and technical documents.

Duration of Contract

This is an initial 6-month assignment, with the possibility of extensions, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.