Overview of the programme
WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving financial protection against health-related risks.
WHO Country Office for India is supporting the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to strengthen the existing health systems to cater to the growing needs of mental health and substance abuse.
Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO
WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.
The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India’s population of 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.
Description of Duties:
Under the managerial oversight of Deputy Team Leader – NPSN, and day to day supervision of National Professional Officer (VPD Surveillance), with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India work plans in accordance with the WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy with India, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities in her/his assigned area of work:
- Provide technical oversight and strategic guidance for establishment of laboratory supported surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases in India;
- Provide strategic oversight for using the experience and best practices of surveillance for poliovirus detection to establish surveillance for other vaccine preventable diseases so that the benefits of polio eradication can be used for broader health system strengthening at primary health care settings;
- Provides technical assistance in developing the national guidelines and standard operating procedures for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) surveillance in the country;
- Monitors and evaluates performance of VPD surveillance at national, state and district levels through data analysis
- Prepares feedback about performance of VPD surveillance for internal use and for sharing with the Government;
- Conducts field visits to review the VPD surveillance processes in the field and provide the findings and recommendations;
- Track timeliness and completeness of the flow of surveillance data between the field and national level;
- Liaises with institutions, organizations and technical bodies at the national level to maintain and increase their involvement in surveillance activities;
- Assists in planning, organizing and conducting meetings of Expert Review Committee for AFP case classification of cases eligible for expert review;
- Assists in planning and conducting VPD surveillance cum UIP reviews of states/UTs with participation from national and international institutions drafting review reports and follows up implementation of recommendations;
- Provides technical assistance in maintaining and expanding environmental surveillance;
- Assists the National Professional Officer (VPD Surveillance) in capacity building of Surveillance Medical Officers to carry out surveillance activities;
- Develop proposals for donor funding for surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases;
- Coordinates with IDSP to strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak response in the country
- Prepare draft reports, strategic documents and programme updates for policy makers and partners, and ensure the quality of programme bulletins, surveillance reports and other scientific publications related to vaccine preventable disease surveillance;
- Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor/s;
- Submits a report of work done to the Team Leader-National Public Health Support Network (NPSN) at the end of the SSA.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education:
Essential: MBBS recognized by National Medical Commission, India (former Medical Council of India) with State Medical Council registration.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree or training in Public Health/Epidemiology/Public Health Administration/Organization of health services or control of Communicable Diseases.
WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions. The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/
Experience:
Essential: At least 2 years professional experience in the development and implementation of health programmes at the national/state level in the area of epidemiology and control of communicable diseases with particular expertise and experience in vaccine preventable diseases, the polio eradication or disease surveillance programmes
Desirable: Working experience with National/ International/ UN agencies at the national and state level will be an advantage.
Competencies:
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Producing results
- Knowing and managing yourself
Functional Skills and Knowledge:
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of Hindi. Proficiency in computer applications, data analysis and ability to draft reports.
Remuneration:
Monthly remuneration is INR 218,855 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he will be posted at New Delhi. The position may require extensive travel (can be upto 15 days in a month) to the states and districts.
The Technical Officer – VPD Surveillance is a national of the country (India) where he/she is to serve, is recruited locally and is not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country. Only Indian Nationals should apply.
Additional information:
- This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test and interviews 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.
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- 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 shws@who.int.
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- This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
- Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
- Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Applications which are not completed in all respects will not be considered.