OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objectives of the Polio Eradication Initiative are to oversee the global eradication efforts of the national governments and the global polio eradication partnership to interrupt the transmission of poliovirus worldwide, help integrate polio eradication, broader immunization and emergency efforts, certify eradication and eventually stop the use of all oral poliovirus vaccine. The immediate strategic objective is to implement WHO's contribution to the GPEI Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategy 2019-2023 in collaboration with GPEI partners and in support of the national polio eradication efforts.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Lead WHO's support to and collaboration with the health authorities of Pakistan and other partners in designing and developing an effective national programme for polio eradication and ensuring that it is in place and implemented. This includes supporting the development of the annual National Emergency Action Plans for polio eradication and supporting the national leadership for polio eradication and the Federal and provincial Ministries of Health in developing and implementing key strategies for polio eradication.

2. Lead the largest WHO country polio team with a workforce of over two thousand including staff and non-staff and coordinate the inputs of WHO and GPEI partners into polio eradication in Pakistan.

3. Lead the coordination with other programmes in the country office, notably immunization and emergencies, to ensure synergies and strategies for integration are identified and acted on in a systematic manner.

4. Develop and coordinate the technical support, guidance and liaison for the implementation of EPI, including planning for the strengthening of immunization goals, and strengthening surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases based on experience of surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis.

5. Oversee the planning, development, organization and delivery of capacity building activities to health care workers in the management of polio eradication and EPI.

6. Coordinate closely with polio eradication and immunization partners in Pakistan, in particular UNICEF, Rotary International, CDC, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to build and ensure a strong common platform for support for the Government of Pakistan, and to ensure best and the most efficient use of partner agency resources as well as look at potential partners to ensure a diversified, competent, trustworthy mass of partners are available to the programme in support of its mission and mandates

7. Foster and expand, as well as play a leading role in ensuring strong relationships are built and maintained with key polio donors in country, including advocating/promoting collaboration activities with potential donors and UN partners in eradicating polio and controlling other EPI target diseases.

8. Develop and coordinate polio activities within Pakistan on behalf of WHO in regional and global activities, including participation in GPEI governing bodies meetings and products, as appropriate.

9. Coordinate preparation, analysis and synthesis of programme reports and reports for special activities within the programme, particularly on poliomyelitis eradication.

10. Undertake other duties, as required, in relation to other programmes of collaboration in Pakistan.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\:

Advanced university degree in medicine and/or Master's degree in Public Health or health related field
Desirable\:

A PhD in public health related field as relevant to the position

Training in surveillance and epidemiology.

Management training

Experience

Essential\: 

  • At least 15 years of relevant progressively responsible experience in public health, both at the national and international levels including infectious disease control at the national and international levels, particularly in developing countries 
  • Strong management and leadership experience, particularly in complex environments. 
  • Experience in strategy implementation and development.
  • Experience in collaboration and negotiations with international agencies and governments.


Desirable\: 

  • Previous experience working with polio or immunization programs.  Experience with international organizations and/or nongovernmental organizations. 
  • Previous experience leading inter cultural teams 
  • Related experience at national or international level within EMRO region countries.

Skills

  • Strong management, communication and leadership skills. 
  • Ability to administer and to evaluate large complex public health programmes, especially EPI programmes and polio eradication. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work constructively with people of different cultural and educational backgrounds. 
  • Demonstrated managerial and leadership ability and negotiation skills.
  • Excellent knowledge and technical expertise in epidemiology, disease prevention, control and eradication. 
  • Knowledge of polio technical operations. Strong English written and presentation skills.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of Another WHO 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 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 2589 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.
  • WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
  • 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.
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.