OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To support countries in the WHO African Region to provide high quality immunization services that will contribute to: (a) the reduction of mortality, morbidity and disability rom vaccine preventable diseases through the optimum use of available and new vaccines and (b) the strengthening of national health systems.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overallguidance of the Polio Eradication Programme Coordinator and technical guidance of the Rapid Response Team Lead, the Polio Rapid Response Technical Officer will provide technical support and guidance to Country Offices and Global Polio Eradication (GPE) partners to strengthen quality of outbreak responses and SIAsactivities in countries. The incumbent will mainly focus on adequate preparations for polio outbreak responses and SIAs to stop any polio viruses circulation and boost population immunity. While the incumbent is expected towork with minimal supervision, he/she will liaise with and report directly tothe Rapid Response Team lead.The incumbent isexpected to perform specific tasks which include: Represent the GPEI in-country and liaise between the GPEI and partners at county and regional level; provide direct feedback to the GPEI about outbreak response progress, challenges and potential solutions; Technically support heads of WHO/UNICEF country offices with strategic and operational oversight of polio outbreak response operations, ensuring that they address the needs of the population and are aligned with the government/Ministry of Health (MOH) plans and strategies and the polio outbreak response SOPs; Foster close coordination with MOH, in-country health and other partners, and regional offices and HQs and assist in the organization of regular coordination meetings, teleconferences, and updates; Work with MOH/WHO/UNICEF teams to develop a national outbreak response plan, including a budget, chronogram of activities, and human resources (HR) surge plan, periodically adjusting and adapting the plan, as needed.; Collaborate with MOH/WHO/UNICEF teams to establish outbreak response structures that include the four components of outbreak response: outbreak investigation, outbreak response immunization, strengthening AFP surveillance, and strengthening routine immunization.; Collaborate with MOH/WHO/UNICEF teams to produce updates of outbreak response activities (e.g., SITREPS, bulletins, and newsletters) for distribution to relevant partners; Collaborate with the communications team to ensure the preparation of an overall outbreak response communication plan and the appropriate content of advocacy and messaging strategies; Collaborate with the Outbreak Operations Manager to ensure that the logistical aspects of the outbreak response, especially financing and HR, are managed with optimal efficiency; Undertake other assignments and responsibilities as requested by heads of country offices, regional directors, and other partners to support the successful response to the outbreak.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Degree in healthsciences with post graduate training in public health (e.g. epidemiology ordisease control).
Desirable:

Experience

Essential: Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in polio and vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) supplemental immunization activities (vaccination campaigns) and outbreak response in complex situations.
Desirable:

Skills

Good management,leadership, communications and interpersonal skills; ability to work in amulti-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment. Excellent analytical and writing skills; ableto transfer his/her knowledge to others through training. Clear understandingand good knowledge of programme design, management and assessment; goodknowledge of forecasting of vaccine requirements and logistics needs; expertisein disease surveillance.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 3338 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.

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