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Technical Officer (Demand and Acceptance)

Copenhagen

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Copenhagen
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • EU/CHP Division of Country Health Programmes
  • Closing Date: Closed

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.The Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization (VIF), a flagship initiative through the implementation of 2030 European regional immunization agenda, will set a course for everyone in the WHO European Region to enjoy the full benefits of vaccines, including Covid-19 vaccine, across their life-course. It will focus on addressing immunization inequities between and within countries, based on local data and evidence, through innovative local level programming and tailored interventions for a demonstrable impact. Within the domain of addressing immunization inequity in the Region, the agenda will support building a resilient immunization system in“Middle-Income Countries” by strengthening critical components of national immunization programmes. The unit will bring existing partners, WHO Collaborating Centres, sub regional platforms, community-based and civil-society organizations and non-traditional immunization partners to forge renewed partnerships and harness the available technical expertise of academic institutions in the Region towards making the 2030 European regional immunization agenda a reality.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To lead in the design, development, planning, implementation, execution, capacity-building and evaluation of programmes to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of vaccine demand and acceptance efforts and behaviour change technical assistance as an integral part to increase immunization coverage for vaccine-preventable diseases, reduce the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, build and maintain demand for routine immunization and for new vaccines, sustain polio eradication status and eliminate measles. To provide scientific and technical leadership to European Member States on a routine basis with regard to interpreting WHO European Regional Office communication strategy and work plan in relation to vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization. Under the supervision of Regional Technical Officer, IPS and overall guidance of the Regional Adviser, VIF, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities:

Key duties:

Dialogue with and advise policy makers on national plans and policies to ensure that policies do not perpetuate social injustices and inequities, nor increase inequalities in access to health services and in health outcomes; and that redefined responsibilities in health systems are shared in a coordinated and pluralistic manner across all stakeholders with clear lines of accountability and transparency, with special emphasis on immunization system strengthening and other immunization priorities;

Elaborate and follow up on all the technical/administrative activities related to behaviour change communication initiatives within the VIF communication strategy and related initiatives with the Region. Cooperate with Member States in the Region by providing technical capacity required for the implementation of communication strategies. Advise national authorities on their implementation status and evaluating their progress in increasing immunization demand;

Develop and coordinate the delivery of communication training programmes and workshops, including coordination with regional and global partners in these efforts;

Monitor and follow up on the epidemiological situation within an identified country and recognize the potential and real impact on neighbouring countries from a risk and crisis communication perspective. Keep Member States informed of such situations that may require special alertness and/or preparatory action, and provide advice on appropriate risk and crisis communication courses of action;

Advise and provide expertise in planning, implementing and analysing epidemiologic or behavioural science risk and protective factor studies;

Provide technical oversight for designing, development, planning, implementation and capacity-building of regional andcountry level colleagues;

Lead in interpreting the health communication strategy and work plan to Member States and ensuring that their activities cohere to the strategy - modelling best practices;

Identify technical assistance needs in the area of the health communication of VIF strategies and advise Member States; and Create linkages among VIF behavioural expertise in immunization research with critical country needs. Act as the VIF Programme technical focal point for behavioural science;

Develop and oversee the management, implementation and periodic monitoring and evaluation of VIF Programme's (WHO EURO) vaccine demand,advocacy and acceptance strategy governing the direction and strategic priorities, goals and objectives for technical assistance to Member States in the area of immunization-related advocacy, health promotion and behaviour change communications; ensuring country strategies cohere in a well-coordinated and unified strategic plan;

Provide authoritative and technical expertise in dealing with behavioural change technical and methodological aspects related to immunization using a variety of media, message and material development. Write and review proposals,protocols, papers and reports to ensure quality, accuracy and appropriateness of work for VIF;

Collaborate with VIF and other staff in WHO EURO in the design of public health programmes, initiatives and activities to incorporate behavioural aspects in an effort to increase uptake for routine and newly introduced vaccines, and to improve health-seeking behaviours to improve regional and national efforts to control communicable disease transmission; Independently design, conduct and analyse behavioural risk and protective factors studies to evaluate their reliability and validity in measuring the effectiveness of program and strategies designed to prevent VPDs at the individual, community and national levels;

Coordinate the technical/administrative communication activities related to VIF's (Regional Office) response to outbreaks and adverse events following immunization. Collaborate with the appropriate Regional Office's staff in the area of related activities to respond;

Produce peer-reviewed publications documenting evidence for effective VIF prevention programmes and methods across diverse settings and populations; and

Serve on committees and teams both internal andexternal to WHO. Core responsibilities in representing EURO as a regionaltechnical partner and leader in vaccine demand and acceptance including behavioural change communication in vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programme:

Build new and expand existing partnerships in health communication for immunization showing WHO EURO as a leader in change and innovation of communication strategies to increase immunization coverage rates; and

Identify and evaluate research opportunities engaging regional and global partners to build and sustain capacity at national and regional levels.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master's level) in social sciences, communication or public health or a related advanced degree.
Desirable: Training in health communication research and monitoring and evaluation of health programmes.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of professional experience in at least one of the following areas: behaviour change communication with demonstrable experience in communicable diseases, prevention science, methods and risk and crisis communications in outbreak settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Demonstrated experience advising in behaviour change communication strategies.
Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations active in health sector. Experience in supporting elimination, eradication and control of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Skills

Demonstrated skills in behavioural change communication, with special emphasis in applying these skills in international context. Knowledge of both theoretical and practical application of risk and crisis communication strategies and approaches. In depth knowledge of the political, social and health systems of countries of the WHO European Region including ability to collaborate, build working relationship and negotiate with international organizations, institutions and representatives of the Member States. Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same. Demonstrated capacity to mentor and transfer knowledge.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French,Russian,Germa.

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 74,913 (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 4095 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 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.
  • 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.
This vacancy is now closed.