Technical Officer Vaccine Safety

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control. This approach is underpinned by the guiding principles of comprehensive whole of society, people-centered, integrated approaches to disease control. The comprehensive whole of society approaches to disease control involves: (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing diseases specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response: building capacities of district service delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; and multi-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders; (b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and (c) community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards.

The people centered, integrated approaches to disease control involves: (a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b) integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics to guide stratification of disease risks across population groups to develop and deploy comprehensive packages of interventions appropriate to each targeted population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind.
The specific objectives of the UCN cluster to which the VPD programme contributes, are to: (i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization; (ii) contribute to the development of WHO disease control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations; (iii) support generation and use of strategic information for action and decision making including optimizing investment; and (iv) provide or facilitate provision of technical support in deployment of WHO technical products and services and institutional capacity building, including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities which are performed according to the needs and agenda of the sub-region:

• Provide expert advice on development of national vaccine safety workplans and monitor their implementation, including formulation of milestones to evaluate performance of vaccine regulation activities.
• Provide support on vaccine pharmacovigilance activities implementation in each country: setting up functional AEFI review committees, development national AEFI surveillance guidelines and plans, implementation of AEFI investigation and causality assessment, quality management systems (QMS) and standard operating procedures.
• Facilitate and support countries capacity building on Vaccine safety and Regulation in close collaboration with VPD, QSS/IVB/HQ, countries and other WHO entities and partners.
• Support countries in serious AEFI cases investigations and causality assessments as and when desired in close cooperation with other VPD staff and other clusters as appropriate.
• Assist countries in designing AEFI prevention and management components for mass vaccination campaigns with injectable vaccines including training materials.
• Monitor AEFI data of each country and provide guidance on updating and uploading data on, DHIS2, Vigiflow and eJRF.
• Collaborate with other programmes to promote and support the adoption of innovations, particularly in the optimization and digitalization on vaccine safety in the Sub region.
• Developing/collaborating on the development and maintenance of up-to-date sub national databases for vaccine safety bodies and activities as part of the development on new/improved tools and strategies;
• Perform any other activities as required by the IST/VPD Team Leader and VPD team lead.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s Degree in medicine or pharmaceutical sciences or related field.

Desirable: Post graduate degree in public health or epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: At least seven (7) years of experience in public health service delivery with demonstrated experience in vaccine safety related activities. At least three (3) years of experience in working in immunization programmes and in working with national regulatory authorities and pharmacovigilance centers at international level.

Desirable:

Experience with WHO or UN agencies, International NGOs
Experience in developing countries
Proven experience to work with deadlines and manage budgets, in collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders

Skills

Demonstrated track record in knowledge of immunization programmes complemented by an in- depth knowledge of vaccine pharmacovigilance. Exposure in provision of technical assistance to countries towards improving regional/national capacity in the area of vaccine-preventable diseases with particular emphasis to immunization safety, vaccine pharmacovigilance and vaccine regulatory policy and procedures within the domain of ensuring overall vaccine quality and safety. Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner. Ability to provide technical advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners taking into account the political and resource-limited contexts. Track record in resource mobilization as well as diplomacy, tact and courtesy. Strong interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and/or take remedial action in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Creating a motivating and empowering environment
• Promoting innovation and Organizational learning

Use of Language Skills

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. 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 theWHO Values Charterinto 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.

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• 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].

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