Technical Officer (Immunization)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Programmes (CHP) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases and address the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, and promotes policies and actions for health through stewardship of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. It focuses on health promotion measures; prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, and risks related to tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and the harmful use of alcohol; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases; elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and advocacy for increased use of vaccines; containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance; addressing existing and emerging environmental health risks, and supporting violence and injury prevention. A determination to ensure universal access to people-centred quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural and behavioural approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional and local levels.Within CHP, the Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization Programme (VPI) aims to reduce disease and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases by:•strengthening routine immunization programmes by achieving and maintaining high vaccination coverage with childhood vaccines;•ensuring that all children, adolescents, adults, and women of childbearing age have equal access to safe and high-quality immunization services;•ensuring that epidemiological surveillance, including laboratory networks, is sufficient to achieve and sustain disease elimination targets;•supporting the implementation of an immunization week to promote immunization; and•(v) fostering appropriate partnerships with governmental and intergovernmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations and other relevant partners.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS) at the country level, the incumbent will support sub-national efforts in response to COVID-19 pandemic, through provision of technical assistance on strengthening the sub-national public health capacities in coordination & management and training & supervision within the COVID-19 vaccine and routine immunization. The technical assistance is provided within the framework of EU COVID-19 Vaccination and Vaccine Preparedness and Deployment Programme for the Eastern Partnership.

Assigned key duties:

• Provide technical support to Ministry of Health to establish and operationally maintain regional coordination and management hubs for sub-national deployment of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination response fully aligned with National Deployment and Vaccination Plan and global and national overarching principles.
• Provide technical support to Ministry of Health to establish and sustain training and supportive supervision hubs in regions, equipped with trainers, required supplies and materials to support both delivery of COVID-19 vaccination response and routine immunization services.
• Provide technical assistance to procurement of equipment and supplies for sub-national coordination & management hubs and training & supervision hubs.
• Assist regions with implementation of country consolidated capacity building and supervision plan under COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization, monitor sub-national implementation and report progress on regular basis.
• Assist development of national and sub-national training materials, including by adopting global and regional online courses and technical content of guidance documents on COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization.
• Conduct periodic training and development needs assessment at sub-national level and adapt training and supervision program to address identified gaps.
• Facilitate timely and complete submission of the sub-national reports including on vaccine coverage to the national level - and regular feedback to regions.
• Provide support to document sub-national level implementation of COVID-19 vaccine deployment, including lessons learnt and best practices and contribute to sharing experience between regions, including through workshops, round tables, meetings, information bulletins.
• Conduct field visits, collect, verify and compile sub-national data, undertake periodic reviews at sub-national and community levels.
• Support to development of and/or prepare progress reports as requested by country, regional and global structures.
• Facilitate and coordinate country staff and immunization partner missions as appropriate.
• Undertake any other duties which may be assigned according to the needs of the WHO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree (Bachelor's level) in public health, health management, epidemiology or relevant social/public health areas.
Desirable: Advanced University degree (Master's level or above) in public health, health management, epidemiology or relevant social/public health areas.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years' experience in planning and management of public health or immunization programmes; Experience in developing national policy and planning documents in the area of public health, immunization, emergency response and learning and development.
Desirable: Work experience with WHO or another international public health organization

Skills

Knowledge of WHO guidance and policies in the area of immunization, emergency response and/or COVID-19 response;Strong analytical skills and ability to review and synthesize information from multiple sources; Excellent Communication, Facilitation and Report-writing skills;Strong interpersonal skills, able to work across cultures and with the capacity to build strong working relationships;Knowledge of Office software applications.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Other WHO/EURO lang.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 38,776 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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.

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

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

• 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 shws@who.int.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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