Technical Officer (Measles and Rubella Control)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals’ (IVB) Department’s mission is “To promote the health and well-being of all people, in all countries, by advancing the impact of vaccines and immunization programmes through partnership and leadership; policies and guidance; evidence and research”. Our work is aligned with the WHO Global Programme of Work (GPW), with a central focus to drive impact in countries, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages. The Strategic Objectives of the IVB Department include: Establishing global immunization agendas, strategies and policies to build and harness commitment to action. Promoting research and innovation to increase impact of vaccines, technologies and immunization practices. Advancing evidence-based introduction and access to vaccines and immunization innovations. Optimizing immunization delivery to ensure high-impact, sustainable and equitable programmes. Harnessing vaccine alliances and partnerships, including collaborations with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and key WHO partners, towards cross-programme coordination and collaboration in pursuit of universal health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be an active member of the EPI Programme Strengthening Team by contributing toward an aligned, coordinated approach to supporting countries and WHO regional and country offices towards achieving measles and rubella elimination goals via strengthening of essential immunization and implementation of supplementary immunization activities where appropriate. Main responsibilities will include the following:

1. Coordinate the development, review and publication of evidence-based WHO global immunization policies and strategies, global reports, technical documents, peer-review articles, training materials and guidelines with a focus on the control and elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and improvements in equity.

2. Collaborate with WHO regional offices and vaccination partners to support Member States in achieving and monitoring progress towards measles and rubella elimination and control goals while improving coverage and equity. This includes seeking opportunities to:

• Strengthen immunization services, maximize impact with other health interventions and integrate accelerated disease control programmes into health systems strengthening approaches.
• Reinforce the strategy of disease control through high MCV1 and MCV2 (e.g., second year of life) coverage through service delivery and the conduct of high-quality supplementary immunization activities when necessary to reach un- or under-immunized populations.
• Promote and support regions and countries in introduction of MCV2 and rubella containing vaccines.

3. Support the Senior Technical Advisor for Measles and Rubella Control in leading and coordinating IVB’s high impact theme of measles and related rubella activities. This includes supporting WHO’s role in Gavi activities and the Measles and Rubella Partnership (M&RP).

• Provide project management support in IVB work planning, tracking of financial resources and implementation, developing, documenting and reporting milestones against global immunization indicators and targets, and drafting of funding proposals and donor progress reports.
• Support IA2030 Working Groups including the Disease Specific Initiative (DSI) Working Group.
• Collaborate with MR Medical Officer in providing technical support to relevant M&RP working groups and task groups and support other partner activities directed at improving M/MR campaign quality and MCV2/MRCV introductions.
• Coordinate WHO technical support to the GAVI Alliance on measles and rubella activities and support regions and countries in GAVI application and reporting processes for full portfolio planning and MCV/MRCV campaign funding (preventive or outbreak), including the pre-review phase.

4. Provide technical support to global, regional and national technical advisory committees including SAGE, Regional Committees through use of data analyses and development of presentations to inform polices and strategies on improving coverage and equity and control of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

5. Liaise with WHO’s Department of Communications to guide public and media messaging on achievement of global and regional goals toward measles and rubella control and elimination and reinforce advocacy efforts with donors.

6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisory line.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• Advanced degree (Master’s level or above) in Medicine, Public Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Paediatrics or Child Health, Global/International Health, Epidemiology or related field.

Desirable:

• Medical degree or post-doctorate degree in nursing, pharmacy, or related health field.
• Published literature in health field and/or immunization.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of international health experience in the immunization sector, including several years demonstrated knowledge of measles and rubella control strategies at country, regional or global level.
• Demonstrated professional experience in coordinating and managing complex projects.
• Demonstrated global or regional experience in supporting ministries of health in the development, planning, implementation or monitoring and evaluation of national immunization programmes in low-resource settings.
• Familiarity with the UN system, including understanding of WHO country, regional and global functions.
• Demonstrated familiarity with role of strategic advisory committees and translation of policy into implementation.
• Demonstrated professional experience in preparing technical presentations and presenting proficiently to large audiences, including government or advisory panels on immunization.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), UNICEF or other global immunization stakeholders.

Skills

• Knowledge of public health, surveillance, and/or health policy at global regional and country levels.
• Strong project management and quantitative analysis skills. Ability to work as a team member in a multi-cultural environment and/or coordinate diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with a track record of scientific publications.
• Strong interpersonal, networking and diplomacy skills.
• Conscientious, highly organized, with the ability to take the initiative and work independently under general guidance, meet tight deadlines and deliver results.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French.
• Intermediate knowledge of other 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 5967 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 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 E-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 workforce. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.

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

• 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int

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

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

• Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• 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].

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