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Qualifications

1)    Background 

The countries of the African region are confronted with a health situation characterized by a constant threat of epidemics (meningitis, measles, malaria, etc.) and other communicable and non-communicable diseases. To meet these challenges, countries have adopted strategies of which widespread vaccination, the most lifesaving health policy.

At the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), the Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) programme, located within the Universal Health Coverage / Communicable & Non-Communicable Diseases Cluster, works, as guided by the Business case for WHO immunization activities on the African continent 2018-2030, to attain, by 2030, a sustained control of VPDs; a major decrease in mortality due to measles, rubella, rotavirus and pneumococcal diseases; 1.9 million lives saves; 167 million VPD cases averted; US$58 billion spared; and a 37-fold of estimated return on investment.

Vaccine safety is key to implementing and sustaining successful immunization programs. The deployment of Covid-19 vaccines has highlighted the concerns of the beneficiaries of vaccination towards safety, stressing the need of adequate monitoring of and response to adverse events. The WHO-AFRO provides technical support to countries in strengthening their vaccine safety systems and effective safety monitoring during immunization activities.

With the forthcoming new vaccine introductions and special immunization activities, the UCN-VPD is constituting a roster of consultants that can be deployed to support vaccine safety effective monitoring. The existence of the roster is expected to reduce the timeline of deployment, especially during emergencies. The objective of the deployment is to facilitate the safety monitoring during the use of vaccines in the African Region by providing technical support in:

·       capacity building of HCWs on vaccine safety surveillance

·       the comprehensive data collection during investigation of serious AEFI cases following vaccination

·       the AEFI data compilation at all levels and timely transmission via the national AEFI flow for utilization

·       the investigation of serious cases

·       the national stakeholders’ collaboration on pharmacovigilance

·       supervision on pharmacovigilance, integrated or focused

·       the implementation of active search protocols

·       organizing and reporting on the national AEFI committee meetings

·       execution of the risk communication strategy

·       Documenting success stories

             2)    Deliverables:

All reports on AEFI timely shared in Vigibase

At least 60% of serious AEFI investigated within one week of occurrence and 90% within 3 weeks

Pharmacovigilance data in the national IDSR weeklies

Monthly surveillance reports

Reports of all experts committee meetings

All causally assessed cases computed in the causality assessment archiving form and updated in Vigiflow

Success stories documented

Monthly milestone tracker

          3)    Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Education (Qualifications)

Essential:

·       Master’s degree in Public Health or in Epidemiology or in a related field from a recognized institution.

 Desirable:

·       Doctorate or PhD in Medicine or Pharmacy or Public Health.

Experience

Essential:

•        Minimum of 7 years in health program or research institution or medical/pharmaceutical practice.
•  

  Experience in implementing in-country disease surveillance or pharmacovigilance system 

•       Experience in working in Africa or in developing countries.

Desirable:

•        Experience in working with national stakeholders on pharmacovigilance, including National Regulatory Authority, Expanded Program on Immunization, Disease Surveillance and Control 
• Demonstrated understanding of hospital setting for management of serious cases 
• Demonstrated ability to organize experts committee meeting.
• Experience with WHO or other agencies in the United Nations system or International NGOs

Skills

·       Proven skills in results communication

·       Skills in capacity building including development of training materials

·       Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders

             4)    Languages and level required

Essential:

·       Expert knowledge of English or French or Portuguese

Desirable:

·       Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages.

5)    Location

Multiple, in the WHO African Region;

             6)    Remuneration

Bande level B: USD 8,500 – 9,980 per month

7)    Expected duration of contract

3 months or more, depending on the need.

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. 
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. 
• A written test may be used as a form of screening. 
• If your candidature is retained for 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. 
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int. 
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity. 
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. 
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged. 

·    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. 
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant. 
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.