Immunization Hub Coordinator

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health (CDE) assists country and areas efforts to reduce the burden of communicable diseases and addresses the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, and promotes policies and actions for health through stewardship of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. It focuses on health promotion measures, behavioural insights; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases; elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and advocacy for increased use of vaccines; containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance; addressing existing and emerging environmental health risks and supporting violence and injury prevention. A determination to ensure universal access to people-centred quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural and behavioural approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional and local levels”. The WHO country/area office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WH’ activities at country/area level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets outa vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable, and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country/area and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country/area Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS) in Member States and one area (that includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo^[1]) and at the country/area level, the incumbent will support the national and equivalent immunization programmes and the Ministries of Health and health authorities in their efforts to respond to COVID-19 pandemic, through provision of technical assistance on preparedness for and deployment of the COVID-19 vaccines (currently available and eventually new), including strengthening of national and equivalent vaccine-preventable disease control and elimination programmes. The technical assistance is provided within the framework of EU funded project ‘Strengthening health systems resilience in the Western Balkan”.

^[1]All references to Kosovo in this document should be understood to be in the context of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).

Key Duties:

• Provide technical support to NPO-Immunization in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo^[1], including to the Ministry of Health and health authorities, public health institute, and/or relevant ministries, authorities and other public agencies in deployment of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination, including strengthening of national and equivalent routine immunization.

• In line with global and regional guiding documents, provide technical support in development and updating of the country’s/area’s COVID-19 vaccination plan and other documents addressing immunization in response to COVID19 pandemic , and in implementation of strategies outlined in these documents, including (and not limited to) evidence-informed decision making and service delivery modalities as per the vaccine characteristics, vaccine safety, demand and acceptance which includes new and underutilized vaccines in the national immunization schedule.

• Disseminate and facilitate implementation of SAGE and ETAGE recommendations on deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination, and provide technical consultation for their adaptation by counterparts.

• Provide technical support to implement preparedness and readiness activities on critical programmatic areas based on new and existing COVID-19 vaccines characteristics.

• Provide technical support, lead and coordinate activities of NPO-Immunization in countries/area, under technical supervision and in coordination with VIF technical team in Regional Office.

• Provide technical support to counterparts on immunization coverage monitoring for COVID-19 and other routine vaccination in the national immunization schedules and facilitate submission of the national and equivalent vaccination coverage data to the ‘COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor’ and WHO/UNICEF Joint reporting form for routine vaccination platform.

• Provide support to document implementation of national and equivalent COVID-19 vaccine deployment plan to share lessons learnt and to leverage and integrate the achievements to routine immunization programme strengthening.

• Prepare progress reports as requested by regional and global structures.

• In agreement with WHO country/field offices conduct field visits, collect and analyze data, undertake periodic reviews.

• Organize and facilitate periodic calls for discussion of immunization subjects, including all involved staff in hub and WHO offices in countries/area.

• Oversee and coordinate the development, planning and implementation of short-term and long-term plans of National or equivalent Immunization Programme to operationalize the national or equivalent and regional immunization programme goals and targets.

• Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health, health authorities and/or relevant ministries, authorities and public agencies in line with already organized activities of WHO office regarding the cooperation with relevant and adequate counterparts and local systems.

• Facilitate and coordinate multi-county/area missions of regional staff and high-level immunization partner as appropriate, with staff in countries/area and counterparts.

• Undertake any other duties which may be assigned according to the needs of the WHO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in public health or epidemiology from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Trainings in immunization and/or emergency response.

Experience

Essential:

• Minimum7-years’experience in health sector governance, management, planning, public health, or immunization.
• Experience in developing national policy and planning documents in the area of public health, emergency response and immunization.

Desirable:

• Work experience with WHO or another international public health organization.
• Experience or knowledge of epidemiology in the context of public health or outbreaks and in the context of immunization programme organization and management for vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Experience of working with UN cluster system for emergency response.
• Experience with and involvement in COVID19 outbreak/pandemic management and response, including national deployment and vaccination planning and implementation.

Skills

• Knowledge of WHO guidance and policies in the area of immunization, vaccine-preventable diseases, emergency response and/or COVID-19 response.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to review and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Excellent Communication, Facilitation and Report-writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work across cultures and with the capacity to build strong working relationships.
• Knowledge of Office software applications.
• Emotional awareness: the ability to identify and harness one’s emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, Germa.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 77,326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2964 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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