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PAHO NEWS: Press Releases, Job Vacancies, and Other
Information from the Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO) via the Canadian Society for International Health
(CSIH) http://www.csih.org; Technical Representative in
Canada for PAHO
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Job Opportunity at PAHO-CEPIS
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The Pan American Center for Sanitary Engineering and Environmental
Sciences (CEPIS), Division of Health & the Environment (HEP), PAHO,
seeks an Environmental Health Epidemiologist in its Lima, Peru
office.
Requirements: Bachlor's degree in one of the engineering,
environmental or health sciences from a recognized university with
a postgraduate degree to at least the Master's level in
epidemiology or environmental epidemiology. Specialization in
public health would be an asset. Seven years of experience in the
area of environmental epidemiology, including occupational health
epidemiology. Responsibilities should also include the management
of projects related to risk assessment and the development of
standards and indicators, preferably in developing countries. Two
years of participation in technical cooperation programs and
activities in environmental health at the international level.
Very good knowledge of Spanish with a working knowledge of English.
Working knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.
The incumbent is required to develop innovative approaches to
advise, design and coordinate activities of evaluation, research
and control of environmental health risks; provide authoritative
advice in the planning and management of environmental health
projects; and develop a broad network of technical contacts in the
areas of work in the different countries of the Region.
Interested candidates should forward CV and letter of intent
to Helene Thibault, Program Manager, PAHO-CSIH Liaison,
Canadian Society for International Health [log in to unmask]
Fax: (613) 241-3845
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PAHO Seeks Regional Advisor in Food & Nutrition Program at
Headquarters
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Location: Division of Health Promotion and Protection (HPP),
PAHO/HQ; Program, Office: Food and Nutrition Program (HPN);
Official Station: Washington, D.C.
Education required: Level and field of study: A postgradute degree
to at least the master's level, in one of the health related
sciences with specialized training in nutrition and epidemiology.
An M.D. with specialization in nutrition or a Ph.D. in a
nutritional science would be an asset.
Years and type of practical experience required: Seven years of
professional experience in the design, implementation and
evaluation of nutrition intervention programs at the local,
regional and national level using life cycle and health promotion
approach, and with at least five years of managerial
responsibilities.
At the international level: Two years of participation in technical
cooperation programs and activities involving the identification
and resolution of nutritional needs within the context of health
promotion.
Languages: Very good knowledge of English and Spanish.
Work role and skills: The incumbent is required to collaborate in
the analysis and interpretation of food and nutrition conditions
and its determinants and to formulate, implement, monitor and
evaluate appropriate programs to improve the nutritional status and
to prevent nutritional problems. He/she must be able to mobilize
resources to implement approved programs and to collaborate with
member countries in the design and execution of research
activities. The incumbent must possess excellent analytical and
writing skills and be experienced in the development and
preparation of comprehensive technical reports and papers. The
ability to prepare proposals to obtain funding for programs and an
intervention aimed at improving the nutritional situation of
population is necessary. In addition, the incumbent is expected to
collaborate in the analysis, formulation, and evaluation of the
PAHO Regional Plan of Food and Nutrition. He/she should have the
ability and capacity to work in a teamwork setting and be flexible
to interact and become involved in all the nutritional activities
within the organization, beyond his/her personal scope of work.
What subject areas or field of work does the post cover and to what
degree is specialization in them required? Expertise at the highest
level in at least one of the main fields of interest to the
Program. Managerial skills and mastery of updated information
systems; software and applications are essential.
Describe the control exercised by the supervisor in planning,
guiding and reviewing the incumbent's work: The incumbent receives
general overall policy and program guidance from the Director, HPP,
and direct technical and adminstrative direction and support from
the Program Coordinator, HPN. Program results and alternative
approaches are periodically discussed with supervisors and reviewed
for soundness of conclusions and accomplishment of objectives.
For more information on this career opportunity, please contact:
Dr. Wilma Freire, Chief, Food and Nutrition, Division of Health
Promotion and Protection, Pan American Health Organization Tel:
(202) 974-3505; [log in to unmask]
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PAHO Director Calls for Education on Disaster Prevention
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Dr. George Alleyne, Director of the Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO), has called for special efforts to educate the
population at large, especially poor people, about disaster
preparedness. Donors and countries that provide aid, he said, also
need information about appropriate response after a natural
disaster.
Speaking at a meeting at the World Bank which brought together
lenders and aid organizations in an initiative to cut the death
toll from natural disasters, Dr. Alleyne said, "We've been studying
and working with disasters for 24 years and have concluded that the
key to reduce vulnerability is the appropriate use of information."
He called for "marketing tools and aggressive social communication
efforts to reduce risks."
"The poor are often the most severely affected by disasters," and
special efforts are needed to show them simple ways to reduce risks
from natural disasters, Dr. Alleyne said. Likewise, donors often
ship inappropriate or unneeded supplies after a disaster, creating
a second disaster as the affected country is overwhelmed by an
influx of goods. Another key message is that long-term support for
affected counties "is very necessary after the disasters fade from
the television screens," he added.
Dr. Alleyne, who recently returned from a visit to areas affected
by the floods in Venezuela, said his trip made it even more clear
that reliable information and quick mobilization were crucial in
responding to disasters. PAHO, he said, can provide reliable
information on health aspects of disasters and preparedness and can
mobilize the national health sectors. Preparing health facilities
such as hospitals and health centers to withstand earthquakes and
other disasters is vital so they can continue to function when
disasters strike, Dr. Alleyne noted. But obtaining funds for
retrofitting health institutions "has been a struggle," he said.
Dr. Alleyne spoke in a session on "Strategies to reduce disaster
risk and vulnerability" of the ProVention consortium meeting, which
groups the World Bank, the U.N. Development Program, aid
organizations, and industrialized countries to help poor countries
better cope with disasters.
"For too long the international community has picked up the pieces
after disaster has struck," World Bank President James Wolfensohn
said. "The ProVention consortium will help poor countries
anticipate natural catastrophes so that when they do strike - as
they inevitably will - there will be less suffering, destruction
and disruption." The new consortium seeks to make developing
countries more aware of the risks which can make disasters worse,
such as ineffective building codes, weak planning regulations or
inadequate response to emergencies. Death tolls after disasters in
developing countries are usually higher than deaths in developed
countries, because homes are often poorly built and little control
is exercised over where people can build.
Natural disasters killed more than 50,000 people in 1998 and
destroyed property and infrastructure worth some $65 billion. "Some
95 percent of disaster-related deaths occurred in developing
countries, where the poorest of the poor are affected," the World
Bank said.
PAHO, which also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of
the World Health Organization, works to improve health and raise
living standards in all the countries of the Americas.
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