Coordinator - Polio Eradication

Position no. \: 400472

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Polio Eradication is a mission critical objective for WHO, as mandated by multiple WHA resolutions. The overall objective of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is to interrupt the transmission of poliovirus worldwide, certify eradication, stop the use of oral poliovirus vaccine and successfully sunset the program. GPEI aims to do this through providing strong support to and collaboration with national governments, who lead these areas of work. In order to help realize these goals, GPEI is establishing a Hub to coordinate the inputs and support provided by the GPEI Partnership from regional and global levels to the country programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan with the goal of ensuring the full implementation of GPEI's 2019-2023 Strategy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following tasks to support the management of the Hub\:--> Coordinate overall GPEI efforts towards implementing strategies to interrupt poliovirus transmission in Afghanistan and Pakistan.--> Manage and coordinate the day-to-day work of the GPEI Hub across its four priority areas of work (Analytics and risk assessment, country operational support, strengthening basic services beyond polio, including EPI/immunization systems, and high-level advocacy), including leading the coordination of GPEI partner inputs through their senior staff assigned to the Hub --> Oversee the development and implementation of strategic plans and policies including priority setting, allocation of resources and budget and financial analysis needed to achieve the objectives of the GPEI Hub.--> Support the implementation of the Afghanistan and Pakistan National Emergency Action Plans (NEAPs) and country teams by serving as the focal point for any requests for surge support from the Afghanistan and Pakistan country offices and coordinating provision of technical and administrative short-term deployments and support as needed to help enable Pakistan and Afghanistan to eradicate polio.--> Develop and manage consolidated GPEI Hub work plans in support of NEAP implementation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, in collaboration with country offices.--> Oversee the collaboration with the national immunization and humanitarian programs to develop a strategic approach and coordination mechanism, use GPEI partners and resources, and strengthen basic services beyond polio, including EPI/immunization systems in high risk districts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.--> Support the Regional Polio Director in establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with UN agencies involved in Level 3 and Level 2 Emergencies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including collaboration with UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinators, Regional Directors, and Emergency Coordinators of relevant agencies (e.g. UNHCR, WFP, OCHA, UNICEF), to ensure that polio eradication is effectively integrated with humanitarian response in these emergencies. --> Support the Polio Director for EMRO to coordinate strategies for mobilization of financial, human and technical resources required for polio eradication activities at the regional and national levels, through interaction with the leadership of the global polio eradication partnership, donor governments, development banks, private foundations and agencies. --> Support the Polio Director for EMRO in negotiations and provision of guidance for the development of activities and work plans in other WHO programmes across the three levels of the organization (including immunization, communicable disease, and emergency programmes) in support of polio eradication and to facilitate the transfer of polio knowledge and experience following interruption of poliovirus transmission in Afghanistan and Pakistan. --> Ensure efficient monitoring and evaluation of eradication activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan. in collaboration with HQ, Regional and Country Offices (CO's) of WHO, and Partner Agencies. --> Ensure the development of regular progress reports on implementation of the Hub work plans and their dissemination to all concerned bodies; monitor, in collaboration with HQ and COs, the impact of activities and progress towards the objectives of GPEI's Strategy. Monitor the work of the GPEI Hub in supporting national eradication efforts, taking and guiding corrective actions as needed. Prepare regular reports to the GPEI (e.g. Strategy Committee and Polio Oversight Board) on progress and challenges to meeting the Hub objectives. --> Represent the Regional Polio Director on polio eradication issues related to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and in interactions with core GPEI partners and the wider polio eradication partnership, as well as with UN Regional Humanitarian Teams based in the Region.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: An advanced degree in public health, international relations, social science or a related field.
Desirable\: Certified training in project management or leadership.

Experience

Essential\: At least 15 years of relevant work experience in public health and/or humanitarian programmes at national and international level some of which in EMRO region countries. Several years of experience in the direction and management of a public health programme, including in polio eradication. Senior-level leadership experience in a programme with substantial human resources management and decision-making responsibility for technical, financial and administrative elements. Experience in managing technical programmes within the UN. Experience in strategy development and implementation.
Desirable\: Relevant experience working for WHO or another UN agency in complex emergency situations at senior/director level. Experience in collaborating with international partnerships. Experience in access or conflict negotiation. Exposure to crisis and emergency operations. In the context of the Region, relevant experience with the inter-agency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness for and response to health emergencies. Good understanding, knowledge and exposure to Afghanistan, and Pakistan, particularly the Pashtun culture would be an asset.

Skills

--> Demonstrated leadership and team management skills in international and multi-cultural settings at the global/regional level. --> Proven ability to coordinate, manage and successfully lead projects across agencies and organizational departments in the context of polio eradication, immunization, and/or health or humanitarian emergencies. --> Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. --> Proven ability to successfully interact and negotiate with senior officers and authorities at national and international level. --> Proven ability to manage the delivery of programmes in periods of intense stress, complex emergency settings and in settings of severe access and security constraints. --> Demonstrated ability to provide independent leadership in such periods with capacity to organize, monitor and synthesize information quickly and concisely. --> Globally recognized expertise in the theory, principles, methods, and techniques of polio eradication, and/or vaccine preventable disease control, with broad knowledge of their application in developing countries. --> Proven experience in disease surveillance, including implementation of surveillance activities and interpreting and analysing surveillance data for action particularly in the area of polio or vaccine preventable diseases.--> Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and strategy development for global programmes, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks. --> Demonstrated experience in the application of modern management techniques.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of Pashto . Intermediate knowledge of Urdu .

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 99,595 (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 3785 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 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.

• 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.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

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

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.