Medical Officer Disease Control and Immunization

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO’s global vision for immunization and vaccines is to support all countries to deliver quality immunization services as part of an integrated, people-centered platform of disease prevention that spans the human life-course. Within this, the objectives are to achieve the control, elimination or eradication of vaccine-preventable diseases as stated in the Global Vaccine Action Plan, thus contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. The delivery of immunization services should happen in concert with other interventions and activities within the national health system.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

1- Management Capacity

Strategic direction — national immunization policies and work plan
– Promotes establishment of decision-making bodies at national level to facilitate consensus among national players and their external counterparts.
– Represents the WHO team in EPI technical working groups to provide WHO strategic and policy guidance.
– Supports the development and implementation of strategies and activities within the cMYP and annual EPI plan for strengthening service delivery and surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases.
Project/Programme management
– Supports the WHO Representative and EPI Team Leader in overall programme coordination and resource management in the routine immunization programme, monitors programme indicators and analyses programmatic and surveillance data for use in programme management.
– Works closely with the national government to support their implementation and evaluation of immunization projects and to ensure a comprehensive approach to health interventions.

2- Technical Capacity
Developing evidence-based policy recommendations and guidance:
– Conducts analytical studies and implementation research as needed and collaboratively develops guidelines and recommends solutions to programme concerns.
– Encourages the national immunization programme to include regional and global immunization policies and strategies in the Country Cooperation Strategy, through nationally relevant evidence and discussions with the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) and the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG).
– Solicits feedback from national technical experts on global and regional policies to strengthen recommendations made at global and regional level and ensure feasibility of implementation at national level.
Monitoring and using data for analytics:
– Monitors and evaluates national immunization policies and programmes, supporting the national immunization programme to collect, collate, analyse and use high quality data for action.
– Supports the country to investigate opportunities for internal and external information sharing and

strengthen the capacity of national authorities to build and sustain national health observatories ensuring immunization data is integrated within.
– Facilitates innovation by promoting new ideas and technologies (including ICT) to make data collection, analysis and use more effective and efficient.
Support to strengthening routine immunization system:
– Provides technical support to improve routine immunization coverage and strengthen routine immunization systems, by designing appropriate regular routine vaccination services though fixed, outreach and mobile sites, and including period intensification of routine immunization, child health days and integrated child health intervention.
– Supports the management skills development of the national immunization programme team through capacity building and training.
– Assists with the development of strategic comprehensive multi-year plans (cMYPs), as well as annual operational work plans, and supports the on-going monitoring of these plans.
– Supports the national government to develop Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) applications to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi).
– Develops and implements a strategy and plan of action to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system of the immunization programme and to improve the immunization programme at all levels.
Support to establishing and strengthening surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases:
– Implements, monitors and evaluates regional networks for laboratory-based surveillance of diseases preventable by new vaccines, including, bacterial meningitis, other invasive bacterial diseases (bacterial pneumonia and Sepsis) and rotavirus gastroenteritis surveillance.
– Reviews and provides technical support to strengthen vaccine preventable diseases surveillance data and indicators.
Supports accelerated immunization initiative activities and the introduction of new vaccines:
– Reviews, updates and provides technical support and guidance on the implementation of accelerated immunization initiative (All) activities within the annual EPI plan as well as establishes and implements a system to monitor All indicators.
– Supports the national government to develop new vaccine applications to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi).
– Develop new vaccine introduction activities within cMYPs and annual plans and necessary guidelines to ensure smooth indroduction at national and sub-national levels

7. Coordinate activities related to introduction of new vaccines, including novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), developing applications to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, new vaccine introduction plans, and necessary training.

8. Coordinate the development and implementation of polio transition plan, including facilitating dialogue with the national and state authorities for integration of acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system into broader systems that include reporting of vaccine preventable diseases (e.g. sentinel sites for priority diseases such as invasive bacterial diseases, Rotavirus disease, Congenital Rubella Syndrome) and in the long run, other communicable diseases (in collaboration with WHE coordinator).

9. Collaborate with the WHE country team and other Incident Management Support Teams (IMST) for the investigation and response to outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.

10. Develop WHO biannual plan (Program Budget) for polio eradication and immunization in coordination with the authorities and WHO regional office.

11. Contribute to the development of policies and operational strategies for inclusion of vulnerable groups and people living in hard-to-reach areas (in conflict and fragile settings) in order to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine or Public Health or related field, and Masters’ Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology or other related field from an internationally recognized university.
Desirable: Post graduate training in public health or epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in immunization programmes, vaccine preventable diseases surveillance and data management, including demonstrated experience in low-resource environments. Demonstrated experience in working with development partners on the development, planning, implementation or monitoring and evaluation of immunization strategies and programmes. Proven experience to work to deadlines and budgets, in collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Desirable: Extensive training/experience in immunization, surveillance and data interpretation. Experience in resource mobilization and policy development.

Skills

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of principles, practices, methodology and techniques of immunization programmes
• Excellent capacity in analysing vaccine-preventable diseases and EPI-related data, synthesizing information and presenting clear and concise conclusions to foster decision-making.
• Excellent understanding of measles and rubella control and elimination strategy and introduction of new vaccines.
• Familiarity with the UN system, including knowledge of WHO country, regional and global functions. Ability to work as a team member, and sensitivity to working in a multi-cultural environment.

WHO Competencies

1. Producing results;
2. Communicating in a credible and effective way;
3. Fostering integration and teamwork

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of another UN language

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 3873 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 [email protected]

• 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 [email protected].

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