Data Manager for Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization

The Division of Pacific Technical Support and WHO Representative Office to the South Pacific is seeking technical assistance to support data management of National Immunization Programme (NIP), disease surveillance/epidemiological unit and MOH in the PICs.

Background 

There have been remarkable achievements in vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization (VDI) programmes in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) over the past two decades. The countries and areas have made great efforts to safeguard their populations against Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) attaining some milestones such as sustained polio eradication, maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) and controlling measles outbreaks.  These accomplishments have not only contributed to newborn survival but also played a crucial role in the reduction of child and maternal mortality aligning with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Routine immunization and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance systems are critical for sustaining achieved immunization goals and achieving new goals including measles and rubella elimination and also to preventing, detecting, and controlling disease outbreaks in the Pacific as emphasized in the Immunization Agenda 2030, Regional Strategic Framework for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization in the Western Pacific 2021-2030 and For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region. However, data management for both routine immunization and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance remains an issue, particularly in less-resourced countries and areas in the Pacific. The strains on this magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in less emphasis on data management efforts. Addressing the strains on data management is critical to ensuring the continued success of immunization programs and disease surveillance in the Pacific.

One of the key three strategic objectives of Regional Strategic Framework for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization is to manage health intelligence on VPDs and immunization. Specifically, it proposes to enhance the strategic use of epidemiological intelligence through optimized and integrated VPD surveillance systems. 

Since 1997, WHO and UNICEF have jointly collected information on immunization programmes and VPDs through the Joint Reporting Form (JRF) for Immunization which is one of the main data sources for the annual WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC). WUENIC data is not only used by WHO and UNICEF but other development partners for planning and decision-making to improve immunization programmes. Data gathered annually is also used to track progress towards global and regional indicators such as the Immunization Agenda 2030, health-related Sustainable Development Goals and the Regional Strategic Framework for Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization in the Western Pacific 2021-2030.

The Sub-Regional Verification Committee (SRVC) for Measles and Rubella Elimination in the Pacific decided during its 10th meeting in May 2022 to request the RVC for the verification of measles and rubella elimination in the Pacific in 2025. WHO supported SRVC in developing the “Strategies and Plan of Action for Achieving Verification of Measles and Rubella Elimination in the Pacific Island Countries and Areas 2023-2025” with PICs initiating the implementation of associated activities. The Strategies and plan of action highlighted the necessity for countries and areas in the Pacific to strengthen their data management system including gathering measles vaccination and outbreak data to be presented for review by SRVC and RVC.

Improving data management and its quality for both immunization and VPD surveillance and its practices is crucial as it supports informed decision-making and planning. WHO is committed to providing support in National Immunization Programmes (NIPs) and the disease surveillance/epidemiological units and Ministries of Health (MOHs) in the Pacific to enhance these practices.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

• Educational Qualifications
• Essential:  Bachelor’s degree in nursing or public health graduate from a recognized university or its equivalent.
• Desirable: Training in EPI.

Experience

• Essential: At least 5 years of relevant experience in the immunization programmes data management at the country level.
• Desirable: Working experiences in WHO or UNICEF or international organizations

Skills/Knowledge

• Sound knowledge in data management and quality assurance and in the planning, preparation, implementation and monitoring of various activities in vaccine-preventable disease and immunization programme.
• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Languages and level required 

• Expert knowledge of spoken and written English

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2403400