Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) communicable diseases department leads the work of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region to prevent, control, eliminate and eradicate communicable diseases under the broader mandate of the organization to achieve universal health coverage, protect people from health emergencies and achieve healthier lifestyle. The IVP unit provides technical leadership and coordination in vaccine preventable diseases and immunization to achieve the programme's objectives in partnership with United Nations agencies, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative [GPEI], donor institutions and Ministries of Health in Member States.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical support for the development of the Expanded Programme on Immunization plan in the assigned country(ies) and assist Member States through the provision of technically sound advice to strengthen the evaluation and monitoring of immunization activities.
2. Support the Ministry of Health or other health related interlocutors in the country(ies) in planning and organizing vaccination campaigns.
3. Develop work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities and ensure the availability of potent vaccines as well as the required equipment and injection materials.
4. Analyze data and information on Expanded Programme on Immunization and provide feedback to stakeholders on the impact of newly introduced vaccines in the national immunization schedule of the country(ies) and submit project proposals for the extension of existing health-care networks and the strengthening the existing systems.
5. Support research in vaccines, including the coordination of clinical trials of new vaccines of relevance to the countries.
6. Develop programs for capacity building in the area of Immunization and Vaccine Development and the management and implementation of the related activities.
7. Serve as a technical resource to the public concerning sustainable Immunization and vaccines as well as epidemics, pandemics and other public health emergency threats; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.
8. Develop and disseminate guidelines for evaluation of the impact of newly introduced vaccines in the national immunization schedule of Member States.
9. Collaborate with Member States to transition WHO-supported vaccine preventable disease surveillance sites/systems to government-supported institutions.
10. Liaise with national counterparts, technical departments at HQ and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to vaccine-preventable diseases in Member States and resolve issues or concerns and seek funding for new projects and work programmes.
11. Represent WHO at various meetings.

Specific duties

1. Adequate implementation of data improvement plan with sound monitoring and supervision of implementation.
2. Annual monitoring of regional and country specific scorecard with IA2030 regional indicators.
3. Monitor and support countries in timely submission of all periodic immunization data reporting.
4. Collection, compilation, analysis of monthly sub-national immunization coverage, vaccine stock and surveillance data and provide feedback to countries and stakeholders.
5. Explore introduction of innovative approaches and new technology for improving immunization reporting system and data quality.
6. Provide guidance to the data team on strategic analysis at country and regional level.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in a Health-related science (medicine or public health) or human biology with specialization on immunization- or vaccine relevant areas.
Desirable: Professional training in biostatistics and immunization data analysis.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of immunization and vaccine preventable diseases surveillance programmes. Within this experience demonstrated professional experience at the international level providing support to Member States and evaluating vaccine preventable diseases and immunization programmes.
Desirable: First hand working experience in a developing nation.

Skills

• Sound knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programmes their management with good understanding of programme priorities and WHO's policies, practices, guidelines.
• Excellent knowledge of disease burden and surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases in the region.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for operational research, studies and surveys on immunization and vaccines.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Team spirit and time management skills.

WHO Competencies

WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic. Intermediate knowledge of UN language .

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 2139 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.

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• 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.

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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 shws@who.int.

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