Public Health Officer (PHO) Multiple Duty stations

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Qualifications

BACKGROUND:

In alignment with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s priorities outlined in the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the NPHCDA cVPV2 blueprint, and with the Country Cooperative Strategy, WHO Nigeria is committing to supporting efforts to quickly address and halt the current upsurge in cases of circulation Vaccine Derived Polio Viruses type 2. Additionally, these efforts will enhance routine immunization, strengthen PHC, and mitigate the impacts of other health emergencies. These initiatives have improved the quality of PEI activities and reduced poliovirus transmission in Nigeria. Key strategies and activities for Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization are detailed in the annual National Polio Eradication Emergency Plan and the multi-year Strategic Framework for strengthening Routine Immunization.

MAIN OBJECTIVE OF ASSIGNMENT

To support the WHO State Coordinator by coordinating technical and programmatic activities aimed at:
(a) Achieving and maintaining high population immunity against polioviruses through high-quality SIAs and routine immunization.
(b) Achieving recommended surveillance performance indicators for Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and other vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as other public health priority diseases as highlighted in Nigeria’s Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy.
(c) Monitoring PHC performance to inform decision-making.

Under the direct supervision of the WHO State Coordinator, the incumbent will support State technical teams, partners, and other relevant stakeholders in the following tasks:

Immunization and PHC (Routine Immunization, SIAs, Surveillance) 

1.    Assist in the timely preparation of State Immunization/PEI (Polio Eradication, Routine Immunization, and control of other vaccine-preventable diseases) annual work plans in line with national plans.
2.    Participate in weekly coordination meetings of the State Technical Team to monitor the implementation of priority PEI/Immunization activities as detailed in the State PEI/Immunization plans.
3.    Participate in EOC meeting and coordinate technical support to the TWGs
4.    Support the development of the technical presentation in the monthly State Inter-agency Coordination Committee or State Immunization Task Force meetings to review the implementation of priority EPI/PEI activities and EPI/PEI performance indicators.
5.    Regularly update State PEI/Immunization plans to incorporate technical recommendations from National Recommendations.
6.    Provide technical guidance to Cluster Consultants, preparing monthly reports for the WHO State Coordinator.

Coordination of WHO State Technical Team
1.    Oversee the development and monitoring of work plans
2.    Conduct weekly in-house coordination meetings and follow up on priority actions under guidance by the State Coordinator.
3.    Ensure timely sharing of activity reports and plans with state authorities, partners, and relevant stakeholders as instructed by the State Coordinator.
4.    Conduct regular supportive supervisions and validation visits of activities conducted by WHO personnel in high-risk or poorly performing LGAs and share the feedback to the SC.
5.    Assist the State Coordinator in conducting quarterly performance appraisals of all WHO personnel in the State.

Cross Cutting Tasks
1.    Support training and capacity building of State, LGA staff as well as WHO personnel (Cluster Coordinators, LGA Facilitators, Field Volunteers) under the guidance of the State Coordinator.
2.    Provide any support as requested by WHO State Coordinator, Polio IMS and/or WHO Representative.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI): The following Key Performance Indicators will be monitored to assess the incumbent’s contribution to the overall assignment objective under the supervision of the WHO State Coordinator:

PEI/Immunisation Programme Areas
1. Availability of evidence-based State PEI/Immunisation work plans (Routine Immunization, Polio Eradication, Accelerated Control of other vaccine-preventable diseases).
2. Timely submission of weekly reports of State PEI/Immunisation activities including meetings with State authorities and stakeholders.
3. Timely submission of all PEI/Immunisation data and information, including PEI accountability framework information, within established timelines.
4. Timely submission of all PEI/Immunisation activity reports, including the state monthly EPI review report.

Coordination of WHO Polio IMS Technical Team
1.  Availability of electronic archives of all WHO personnel database
2. Minutes of weekly in-house coordination meetings with action points and implementation status.
3. Monthly summaries of supportive supervision conducted and actions taken to address gaps.
4. Ensure proper documentation and archiving of all key PEI/Immunisation activities supported by WHO personnel.
5. Timely availability of performance appraisals of all WHO personnel in the State.

Cross Cutting Tasks
1. Documentation of all training and other capacity building activities
2. Availability of weekly work plans and reports for all WHO Cluster Coordinators and other WHO technical staff deployed to the state (STOP team members, STCs, etc.).
3. Reports of advocacy activities and evidence of increased stakeholder engagement and/or participation in immunization and/or surveillance activities.
4.  Evidence of increased partnership with key stakeholders in support of immunization and/or surveillance, particularly in high-risk areas and/or areas with sub-optimal programme performance indicators.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:
1.    The PHO (Polio Surveillance) reports to the WHO State Coordinator (SC).
2.    Overall Technical Guidance for the programme will be provided in line with national guidelines by the Polio IM as well as the Sub-pillar leads from Abuja.
3.    Overall policy and managerial support and guidance will be provided by the WHO Representative in Nigeria.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: First level university degree in medicine and/or public health planning and administration, complemented by training in public health/epidemiology/health science.
Desirable: Master’s degree in public health or equivalent. Training on epidemiology and/or outbreak investigation will be asset.
Experience
Essential: At least 7years of experience required in public health surveillance with emphasis on emergency response relief and/or the management of epidemic-prone diseases.
Desirable: Experience in the areas of outbreak investigation and response for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries.
Skills
Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response with particular attention to application of an all-hazard approach in the context of the International Health Regulations (2005) and the use of event based and indicator based surveillance, as well as descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response;–> Managerial skills for the development, implementation, monitoring and analysis of public health programmes for infectious diseases within a highly demanding work environments;–> Sound knowledge and skills in database management and statistical analysis, secondary data
review, survey designing and implementation, monitoring and evaluation systems design or use, and public health information management–> Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations and technical guidance and advocacy documents.

WHO Competencies
(a) Teamwork
(b) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
(c) Communication
(d) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

(e) Knowing and managing yourself
(f) Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English and local language.