Coordinator Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization

To achieve the control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases throughout the Western Pacific Region by targeting the reduction of morbidity and mortality of such conditions and diseases. The division supports integrated people-centred care approaches by strengthening primary health care services for prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment of target diseases and conditions along the life-course, while ensuring to reach the unreached and achieving universal health coverage.

The Vaccine- Preventable Diseases and Immunization (VDI) unit works with Member States and partners in making the Region free from vaccine-preventable morbidity, mortality and disability by accelerating, achieving and sustaining control and elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in the Western Pacific. Focus areas of the programme are strengthening and expanding immunization systems and programmes, especially the routine immunization programmes; strategically managing intelligence on VPDs, vaccines and immunization with surveillance systems and laboratory networks; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies related to VPDs and immunization programmes.

Duties:

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction, management and supervision for the Regional Office Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization (VDI) unit, oversees the preparation of strategic plans of action, budget proposals, technical guidelines, monitoring and evaluation activities, and special studies;
• Organizes and coordinates training and professional development programmes for the staff of the Regional and Country offices, as well as national counterparts, including through conferences, workshops, seminars, country and regional exchange visits and fellowships;
• Coordinates with other Units and Divisions within the Regional Office to maximize efficiencies and synergies in line with the healthy systems strengthening efforts to reach the unreached populations;
• In collaboration with WHO Country Offices of the Region, advocates ,convenes and enables Member States to use an integrated systems approach against vaccine-preventable diseases through the strengthening of primary health care systems and services, empowering of communities and individuals, and addressing of socio-economic determinants and barriers to health care through multi-sectoral approach;
• Strengthens strategic partnerships with development partners, donors, civil societies, and community representatives at the regional level for multi-stakeholder engagement to ensure coordinated advocacy, technical cooperation and resource mobilization related to VDI;
• Represent the Regional Office for the relevant technical areas of work at various meetings;
• Undertake other related and assigned duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

Education

Essential:

• Master’s degree in medicine or public health or epidemiology or infectious diseases and vaccinology or immunology

Experience:

Essential:

• At least ten years of relevant experience leading teams and leading vaccine preventable diseases and immunization or communicable disease prevention and control programmes. Experience in strategic planning or advisory capacity in the field of vaccine preventable diseases or communicable diseases control. Demonstrated international relevant experience is mandatory.

Skills:

• Excellent knowledge and expertise of country level situations with regard to vaccine preventable diseases and immunization programmes, their development and management with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting. Excellent knowledge of disease burden and surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for clinical trials of new vaccines.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.-Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Excellent knowledge of health care systems and safety regulations.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• Strong team leadership skills.

Language Skills:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2403007