OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
To enhance VPD control, including increasing and sustaining immunization coverage for all EPI vaccines, as well as improving surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases. This involves eradicating the transmission of wild poliomyelitis, achieving measles elimination, introducing new and underutilized vaccines, transferring technology for laboratory diagnosis of VPDs, and responding to outbreaks.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the overall guidance of Team Lead-IVD and direct supervision of the Medical Officer-ISS, the incumbent will be responsible for providing technical assistant to the National EPI to carry out the following activities:
- Supervise and coordinate a divisional team of SIMOs, and general service staff to deliver technical support in all aspects of vaccine preventable disease control.
- Provide administrative, financial, and logistical support for program implementation in collaboration with National IVD and WCO staff and assist in resolving administrative and financial issues.
- Offer technical and operational guidance to SIMOs regarding Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and vaccine preventable disease surveillance. This includes conducting periodic field visits to reporting units, investigating, and following up on cases and outbreaks.
- Provide technical support to improve routine immunization coverage, including identifying low-performing areas, conducting data quality assessments, waste management and assisting divisional and district authorities in finding solutions.
- Participate in planning and implementing National Immunization Days and supplementary immunization activities. This involves developing training materials, organizing training sessions, and assisting with social mobilization, communication activities, waste management and supervision and monitoring.
- Assist in the introduction of new vaccines by participating in training, micro planning, advocacy, preparations, and post-introduction monitoring.
- Advocate for injection safety, provide training, and manage adverse events following immunization to ensure safety.
- Evaluate polio eradication, maternal neonatal tetanus elimination status, measles, and rubella elimination activities and other VPD control efforts in the division
- Collaborate with representatives from partner organizations working in the divisions, such as UNICEF and UNFPA, local NGOs and professional organizations
- Participate in special studies as determined and authorized by the WHO country office.
- Provide technical support to divisional health authorities during emergencies such as floods, cyclones, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks. This includes planning and monitoring health relief activities in affected areas and investigating outbreaks
- Undertake any other duties assigned by the supervisors.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: M.B.B.S. or equivalent degree
Desirable:
- Master of Public health or equivalent post graduate degree in public health/ community and social medicine/ child health.
- Certification in Applied/ Field Epidemiology Training Programme will be an advantage.
Experience
Essential: At least one year of experience in planning, implementation and monitoring of EPI and vaccine preventable disease control and field operations.
Desirable: Experience in EPI and vaccine preventable disease control and field operations in diverse situations, under United Nation system, or international organizations will be an added value.
Skills
Good Managerial and communication skills. Analytical skills to identify critical issues and excellent writing skills. Knowledge in epidemiology, polio eradication, routine EPI and accelerated VPD control
WHO Competencies
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
- Moving forward in a changing environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Bangla.
REMUNERATION
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at BDT 3,634,083 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
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.
- 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.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- 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.
- This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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