Health Information Systems Specialist

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/13/FT253 Title: Health Information Systems Specialist Grade: P2 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  One year, first year probationary period. Post of limited duration.	Date: 13 June 2013 Application Deadline: 7 July 2013 Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Washington, D.C., United States of America   Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control / Health Information and Analysis (HSD/HA)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The objective is to promote, coordinate, and implement technical cooperation activities to reduce health, social and economical burden of communicable and non communicable diseases, focusing in the surveillance, prevention and control, in ways that are technically sound and appropriate for the culture and society and strives to achieve sustainable impact through strengthened country capacity and effective inter-country collaboration; and to strengthen the coverage and quality of the health and vital statistics in the Region as the national capacity to monitor their health situation.
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the Manager, Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control (HSD), and the direct technical and administrative supervision of the Senior Advisor, Health Information and Analysis (HSD/HA), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to the following assigned duties: a) Provide technical support for the development of health statistics information systems and databases; manage, manipulate and transform all health basic indicators data received from countries, World Bank, U.S Census Bureau, and another sources required to integrate into the Organization's database for health basic indicators; b) Manage, manipulate and transform all mortality data received from countries to integrate into the Organization's database for mortality; c) Create a system status report for monitoring and updating mortality data (received, transformed and issues); d) Manage, manipulate and transform all live births data received from countries to integrate into the Organization's database; e) Create a system status report for monitoring and updating live births data (received, transformed and issues); f) Develop and implement database policies, procedures and practices to improve, maintain and ensure data integrity across all databases; ensure that databases are developed in accordance with the Organization's standards and controls; g) Extract, transform and load data from one database structure to another; h) Prepare databases expansion by studying plans and requirements; advise senior technical management; coordinate design and programming; i) Prepare periodic progress report for senior technical management by preparing reports on system performance and problems; j) Maintains database performance by troubleshooting problems and developing long-term solutions; ensure platform upgrades and improvements by supervising system programming; k) Ensure database security by developing policies, procedures, and controls; l) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A bachelor's degree in health informatics, health statistics, applied mathematics, or in a related field from a recognized institution. Desirable: A master's degree in health informatics would be an asset.
Skills:  Key Behavioral Competencies Intrainstitutional Action: Displays, through behavior, understanding of PAHO's values and mission. Seeks information on and acts with understanding of the Organization's expectations while advancing further the understanding and application of its policies. Shows interest and concern for the activities related to his/her work in conjunction with the mission, values, vision and policies of the organization. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization. Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: Takes or organizes individual and collective action after analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge. Continuously analyzes the evolution of situations in an area of work and makes suggestions to adjust or confirm the decisions necessary to implement required actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation between six months to one year ahead. Communication: Establishes and proactively engages in productive dialogues in one's work inside and outside the Organization, and assists in the building of consensus. Seeks to share information with others within the organization, both face to face and through communication and information technology systems as appropriate. Information Management: Takes initiative to improve systems for the presentation and dissemination of information. Supports, through competent use of the available systems and technologies, the development of data presentations. Teamwork: Encourages team members, adds significant contribution when participating in internal and external work teams, and leads through personal example the virtues of team success--collaboration, trust, transparency and joint responsibilities. Builds and maintains mutually beneficial productive interpersonal relations based on trust, inside and outside the Organization. Keeps every team member informed as well as shares relevant and useful information. Knowledge Management: Shares knowledge and information appropriately and participates in activities to facilitate sharing. Develops tools and protocols for creation, integration and dissemination of knowledge. Researches opportunities, methods and approaches for delivering value through improved knowledge. Accountability: Accurately and objectively provides information, as required, on one's activities. Prepares accurate and objective reports on one's activities and partial/final results. Can account for each of the specific tasks of one's work. Technical Expertise - Extensive and up-to-date knowledge in statistical analyses using computer applications, and the design, development and implementation of computer based information systems for the management, analysis and presentation of health statistical data. Up-to-date knowledge of health statistic methodologies, state of the art data processing techniques, data imputation methodologies and in-depth use of information systems and statistical software such as SAS, SPSS, spreadsheets, R, Stata, ArcInfo, and any other related software. - Excellent knowledge of database structures and ability to learn and support new database products and applications. - Strong analytical and problem solving skills in a client/server and web data services environment. - Excellent knowledge and practical expertise in Microsoft SQL and MySql including queries and stored procedures; metadata-driven ETL tool, especially in Pentaho Kettle. - Strong customer service skills and ability to work collaboratively and to communicate effectively with a wide range of users. - Ability to work on multiple projects and adapt to shifting deadlines and priorities. - Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization. IT Skills In addition to the above specified statistical packages, demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project would be an asset.
Experience: Essential: Five years of combined national and international experience in positions related to the area of information systems and/or systems development, software design and development, development of web-based applications, database modeling and administration, and health information management for health data analysis. Desirable: Demonstrated experience in management of vital statistical and geographic data.
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.
Additional Information: PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, and 30 days annual leave. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, assignment grant, rental subsidy, and home leave. ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM 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 ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES. THIS VACANCY MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER POSITIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT MAY BECOME VACANT AT A LATER DATE, AND WHICH HAVE SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES AS THE ONES STATED IN THIS NOTICE.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$ 46,730.00 at single rate US$ 49,821.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 50.6 % 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.
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at:www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.