Medical Officer, Routine Immunization

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 involve: (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing disease-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 involve: (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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent contributes to the following:
• Provide guidance and technical support to countries for the development and implementation of harmonized, costed multi-year plans and protocols for routine immunization, including:
- Developing and updating existing guidelines and standard procedures for implementation and monitoring at the regional, sub-regional and national levels;
- Cooperating closely with the regional and national public health networks, to ensure forecasting and maintenance of vaccine stockpiles, particularly in case of emergency;
• Promote a health systems / primary health care approach, and specifically encourage integration and close collaboration at the regional, sub-regional and country levels with the other programs within the different clusters of WHO at regional and country levels;
• Serve as focal point for planning, implementation and strengthening of routine immunization programmes, in close cooperation with, and support of, other team members particularly those responsible for Yellow Fever, measles and meningitis control:
- Promote joint planning and monitoring of progress along with the teams responsible for vaccine preventable diseases surveillance and laboratory networks
- Develop, update and evaluate interventions and strategies;
- Identify programmatic research needs, and promote research to improve routine immunization strategies;
- Document and disseminate best practices related to immunisation systems
• Lead and coordinate the development and updating of norms and standards related to routine immunization:
- Provide expertise and develop/revise guidelines;
- Proactively facilitate the implementation of norms and standards to facilitate M&E;
- Develop and implement capacity building for routine immunization through the identification and implementation of operational policies to expand strategies;
- Provide technical expertise and advice to Member States and partners, as well as regional and sub-regional laboratory networks;
• Encourage close collaboration at the regional, sub-regional and country levels, including:
- Promoting information-sharing through video-conferencing, informal consultations and, as required, interregional meetings; ensuring regular reporting on the situation of routine immunization in Africa;
- Preparing annual progress reports;
- Developing/collaborating on the development and maintenance of up-to-date regional and national databases for routine immunization as part of the development on new/improved tools and strategies;
• Within the delegated authority, work in partnership to:
- Contribute expertise and technical information consistent with the needs of routine immunization with particular attention to critically reviewing existing and new guidelines as regard to vaccines stockpiling handling and processing;
- Support Member States in the assessment of routine, immunization-financing requirements and the identification of strategies to fulfil these requirements, as part of reporting on epidemiological, financial and programmatic activities;
• Collaborate in resources’ mobilization and advocacy activities in support of the implementation of WHO/AFRO and global resolutions pertaining to Routine Immunization and PHC at the regional and country levels;
• Lead/contribute to the development of work-plans and budgetary proposals as required within the framework of WHO staff Rules and Regulations; financial rules and AFRO accepted procedures
• Strengthen partnership, collaboration with all stakeholders and alliances to harmonize and streamline country support for the management of Routine Immunization and PHC at all levels;
• Facilitate the back-up of Inter Country Support Teams (ISTs), to provide highly specialized technical assistance to Member States relating to Routine Immunization and PHC;
• Collaborate with other programmes to promote and support the adoption of innovations, particularly in the optimization of diagnostics, medicines, other health commodities, and service delivery models and the transition to digital health;
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in public health or health policy.
Desirable: Post-graduate training in epidemiology, vaccinology, immunology, infectious or communicable diseases

Experience

Essential:
· A minimum of 7 years of national and international management of routine immunization, vaccines logistics management and related activities.
· Experience in project management, analysis and the development of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
Desirable:
· Work experiences that are diverse, incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN, or governmental Health related agencies
· Experience in policy formulation and strategic planning
· Experience in resources mobilization and partnership coordination

Skills

· Demonstrated knowledge of routine immunization programmes, vaccine preventable diseases and global health;
· Proven ability to think independently and strategically, plan, coordinate and implement routine immunization activities, including norms and standards for vaccines stockpiles and related capacity building;
· Proven ability to monitor and report on results, progress, lessons learnt and obstacles;
· Proven understanding of immunization systems as related to the control of preventable diseases including case-based surveillance, Integrated Disease surveillance (IDSR) and International Health Regulations (IHR) as well how to achieve universal Health coverage (UHC);
· Demonstrated ability to strengthening partnerships and in mobilizing resources.

WHO Competencies

· Teamwork
· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
· Communication
· Creating a motivating and empowering environment
· Ensuring the effective use of resources.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English or French.
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN official languages

Other Skills:

Proven ability to use standard office software packages, Conversant with common IT software including eHealth tools.

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 77326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 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. You may consult the salary scale on Salary Scales | ICSC (un.org)

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 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 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• WHO also offers a 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• 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.
• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
• 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
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates