Center Director, PANAFTOSA

Grade:

P

Salary - Annually:

Step I - 101,540.00 USD

Post Adjustment - Annually:

30,563.54 USD

Contractual Agreement:

Staff - Professional Post

Job Posting:

August 13, 2025

Closing Date:

September 25, 2025, 11:59 PM Brasilia Standard Time

Primary Location:

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Organization:

AFT Centro Panamericano de Fiebre Aftosa (PANAFTOSA)

Schedule:

Full time

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT 
The incumbent is responsible for the management of the Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA), providing leadership on the principles and implementation of PAHO's technical cooperation on Veterinary Public Health and One Health. The incumbent promotes the applications of One Health good practices and is responsible for the management and administration of the Center's human and financial resources and fixed assets. He/she must maintain a harmonious and effective collaboration with counterparts in national and international administrations, and non-government, philanthropic, academic and private organizations, from the public health, agriculture and animal health sectors. The incumbent should cultivate and maintain a close professional relationship with Brazilian Authorities, particularly those related to the operation and maintenance of the Center, in accordance with the Agreement signed by the Government of Brazil with PAHO for the Center. The incumbent follows very broadly stated guidance in terms of policy and mission of the Organization and has the authority to establish guidelines of major importance on the programmatic activities and Center's management and administration operations to address problems that might require complex considerations and alternative possible solutions, involving internal and external stakeholders. The incumbent acts as prime advisor of the Organization, to discuss problems and seek solutions on VPH and One Health policy issues in direct coordination with the Assistant Director in the area of One Health. The incumbent will be responsible for the VPH and One Health component of the PAHO Strategic Plan and Biennial Work Plans, within the framework of the policy orientations and mandates of the Governing Bodies. 

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Director, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE) and the general supervision of the Assistant Director (AD), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a)    Lead the Organization's technical cooperation on Veterinary Public Health (VPH) for the elimination of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), food safety and AMR in the food of animal origin value chain, and the prevention, control/elimination of zoonotic and foodborne diseases and envenomation in the Americas consistent with the "One Health" approach;
b)    Direct, manage, plan, organize, implement and evaluate the programs necessary to achieve the aims and objectives of the Center's technical cooperation, including field interventions, research, training and dissemination of information;
c)    Provide technical expertise and lead the normative function of the Organization regarding food safety and control/elimination of FMD and zoonotic diseases in collaboration with partners, academia, ministries of health, ministries of agriculture, and other stakeholders;
d)    Advise and promote inter-programmatic work with other entities across the Organization to ensure efficient use of available resources, avoid duplication efforts, and achieve expected results according to the biennium workplans, the PAHO Strategic Plan  and the PAHO Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas ;
e)    Lead and direct the management and administration of the Center, by ensuring alignment with the Organization's Strategic Plan, development and implementation of the Biennial Work Plans (BWP) and ensuring the Center's adherence to UNDSS security requirements; establish and oversee business continuity plans and ensure that all relevant staff and personnel are trained accordingly;
f)    Direct and guide the Organization's technical cooperation for strengthening national and international disease information and surveillance systems on FMD, and foodborne and zoonotic diseases;
g)    Direct the Organization's technical cooperation for strengthening national laboratories and international laboratory networks, by providing technical cooperation, including training programs, and coordinating reference services;
h)    Direct and oversee the Organization's international World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory on FMD (biosafety-level 4, WOAH standard) and WOAH Collaborating Center on Veterinary Public Health;
i)    Mobilize human and financial resources in support of national programs, and cooperate with member states institutions in the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of project proposals for field technical cooperation and research;
j)    Serve as the Secretary of the Comisión Sudamericana para la lucha contra la Fiebre Aftosa (COSALFA) and the Reunión de Directores de los Programas de Rabia de las Américas (REDIPRA), including planning and managing of the meetings, and presenting at international events;
k)    Serve at technical secretariat for the Reunión Interamericana Ministerial de Salud y Agricultura (RIMSA), the Comisión Panamericana de Inocuidad de Alimentos (COPAIA), and the Comité Hemisférico para Erradicación de la Fiebre Aftosa (COHEFA), advising PAHO's Director on all aspects related to the organization and follow up of recommendations of these fora;
l)    Promote and coordinate the Organization's collaboration and joint activities and projects related to VPH and One Health with other international and regional organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (OIRSA), Codex Alimentarius, and other relevant networks and institutions in the Americas, including representing the Organization at the Quadripartite, composed by PAHO, FAO, WOAH and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP);
m)    Promote and coordinate the Organization's collaboration and joint activities and projects related to VPH with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and philanthropic, academic and private sector organizations;
n)    Collaborates on the national and international implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005);
o)    Oversee and guide the preparation of reports, scientific articles and other information ensuring the accuracy of documents released to the public;
p)    Represent the Director at national and international fora related to the work of the Center; coordinate with the PAHO Representative of Brazil in negotiating with the Ministry of Health of the Brazilian Government;
q)    Provide leadership to guide staff and motivate teams in a multicultural environment in order to ensure responsiveness, high productivity, and agreed results; mentor and guide supervised staff; monitor staff by setting clear work objectives; use performance reviews to enhance capacity, establishing feedback mechanisms and undertaking regular communications; assess staff competencies and promote staff development; monitor workloads and work processes to facilitate optimal performance, work distribution, job satisfaction, efficiency, and output; and follow up on any deviation of work from set objectives;
r)    Promote a culture of ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organization's Code of Ethical Principles and Conduct in order to ensure a culture of respect, responsibility, accountability and compliance;
s)    Provide a stable managerial framework that demonstrates credibility, trust, and value to Member States, clients, donors, and other development partners; provide advice, when called upon, to institutions of Member States in the area of expertise;
t)    Perform other related duties, as assigned.

KEY BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES  

Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization's mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.

Respecting and valuing individual differences: - Treats everyone with dignity and respect, fostering positive relationships with everyone. Reflects on personal behavior to avoid stereotypes and considers situations from the perspective of others. 
Teamwork: Advocates for collaboration across the Organization - Creates and encourages a climate of team- working and collaboration across the Organization; sees cooperation as a key Organizational priority and creates collaborative systems and processes to achieve Organizational goals. Actively identifies and tackles disagreements between internal and external counterparts that compromise the Organization's goals and mandate; diplomatically facilitates the resolution of conflicts between others and ensures strategic partnerships with a range of key stakeholders; maintains and extends an effective collaborative network of individuals inside and outside the Organization.
Communication: Share knowledge - Articulates the Organization's strategic objectives when formulating and delivering information and presentations and adapts presentation methodology to address the needs of different audiences.  Shares decisions and directives of senior management and communicates them in a manner that ensures both understanding and acceptance; shares knowledge and best practice at the three Organizational levels (country, regional and global), as necessary.
Creating an empowering and motivating environment:  Provide direction/Support, motivate and empower others - Oversees and provides teams and departments with clear managerial directions which are translated from Organizational strategy.  Builds a performance culture in the Organization; contributes to setting Organizational performance goals and standards; monitors Organizational performance against milestones and strategic goals; identifies and nurtures talent as appropriate. Promotes autonomy and empowerment throughout the Organization; inspires enthusiasm and a positive attitude in people towards their work and contribution to the Organization's success.
Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives.  Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team's projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
Driving the Organization to a successful future: Constructive leadership style/ Set the vision and build commitment - Leads and develops a road map for successfully achieving real progress in the Organization's mandate, including consultation with key stakeholders; demonstrates respectful, trustworthy, transparent and accountable behavior in order to develop a reliable and coherent identity for the Organization. Creates a coherent Organizational vision of shared and successful goals; fosters a culture of vision and long- term goals, recognizing and rewarding efforts to maximize the Organization's value.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE 
Technical: Extensive progressive experience at a senior decision-making level, in particular in managing complex human/animal health programs/systems at both national and international levels. Wide and varied knowledge of public and animal health, including veterinary public health problems and health management processes. Experience in monitoring and reporting on program performance. Ability to provide and communicate authoritative technical advice based on robust understanding of evidence.
Managerial: Extensive experience in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of a large public or private administration; proven experience in administrative matters requiring sensitive negotiation and high-level intervention and in organizational development. Management of health administration and knowledge of international legislation. Resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive issues.
Administrative: Skills or experience in resource mobilization and familiarity with financial management, and the creation and integration of administrative platforms for the delivery of the highest quality Finance, Budget, Human Resources, General Administrative and Infrastructure services. 
Courtesy, tact, sensitivity to manage confidential information, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background.

EDUCATION (Qualifications) 
Essential: A university degree in veterinary medical science, and a master's degree in public health, veterinary public health, animal health, veterinary epidemiology or in any other field related to the functions of the position, from an accredited institution.
Desirable: A doctoral degree in a public health or animal health-related area would be an asset.

EXPERIENCE
Essential: Thirteen years of progressively increased responsibilities of national and international work experience in management, as well as work experience in the design, planning, execution, and evaluation of technical cooperation related to public and animal health. Experience should include contributions to international technical cooperation programs and activities in veterinary public health and One Health, the standardization of procedures, harmonization of norms, organization of cooperative FMD, food safety, or zoonoses programs, epidemiological surveillance of FMD, FBD or Zoonoses, and/or related veterinary public health programs at the international level.

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

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, One Drive, PowerPoint, Teams, Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset.
 

DISCLAIMER 

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

• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post. 

• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. 

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the official degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. 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:

Council for Higher Education Accreditation

College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics,  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. All interested individuals who meet the requirements of this position are encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. To do so, email us at:

• 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. 

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