Technical Officer (Essential Programme on Immunization)

Job content

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMMEThe Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals (IVB) Department’s mission is “To promote the health and well-being of all people, in all countries, by advancing the impact of vaccines and immunization programmes through partnership and leadership; policies and guidance; evidence and research”. Our work is aligned with the WHO 13th Global Programme of Work (GPW13), with a central focus to drive impact in countries, to ensure healthy lives, and promote well-being at all ages. The Strategic Objectives of the IVB Department include: Establishing global immunization agendas, strategies, and policies to build and harness commitment to action. Promoting research and innovation to increase impact of vaccines, technologies and immunization practices. Advancing evidence-based introduction and access to vaccines and immunization innovations. Optimizing immunization delivery to ensure high-impact, sustainable and equitable programmes. Harnessing vaccine alliances and partnerships, including collaborations with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and key WHO partners, towards cross-programme coordination and collaboration in pursuit of universal health coverage.Description Of DutiesThe incumbent will be an active member of the EPI Programme Strengthening Team by contributing toward an aligned, coordinated approach to supporting countries and WHO regional and country offices to strengthen the quality and maximize the impact of immunization programmes, including the goal to reach and sustain global polio eradication. Main responsibilities will include the following:

• Collaborate with WHO regional offices and vaccination partners to support Member States in implementing strategies to decrease numbers of under immunized and unimmunized, in line with coverage and equity goals of IA2020. This includes provision of specialized technical assistance to strengthen essential immunization programmes, with a particular focus on strategies to identify, reach and fully immunize “zero dose” children and their communities.
• Collaborate with the WHO regional offices and immunization partners to identify and strengthen cross-cutting synergies in key disease-control initiatives such as polio eradication, measles and rubella control, maternal and neo-natal tetanus elimination, yellow fever elimination, including supporting the work of the IA2030 Disease-Specific Working Group and the Coverage and Equity Working Group.
• Coordinate the development, review and publication of evidence-based WHO global immunization policies and strategies, global reports, technical documents, peer-review articles, training materials and guidelines with a focus on improvement in coverage equity, and especially zero-dose children.
• Lead and coordinate IVB efforts, in close collaboration with the Polio Eradication Team and the GPEI partners, to build synergies with the polio eradication programme in polio endemic and high-risk countries to reach and sustain the global eradication goal, by strengthening essential immunization programmes.
• Serve as IVB’s technical focal point to support WHO’s corporate efforts to support Member States to transition their polio assets, knowledge and expertise to their national health systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisory line.

Required QualificationsEducationEssential: An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in Medicine, Public Health, Public Policy, Paediatrics or Child Health, Global or International Health, Epidemiology or related field.Desirable: Published literature in health field and/or immunization.ExperienceEssential:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of international health experience in the immunization sector, including several years demonstrated knowledge of immunization programming at country, regional or global level.
• Demonstrated global or regional experience in supporting ministries of health in the development, planning, implementation or monitoring and evaluation of national immunization programmes, with particular emphasis on improving coverage and equity, and/or reaching and sustaining polio eradication.
• Demonstrated professional experience in coordinating and managing complex projects.
• Familiarity with the UN system, including understanding of WHO country, regional and global functions.
• Demonstrated familiarity with role of strategic advisory committees and translation of policy into implementation.
• Demonstrated professional experience in preparing technical presentations and presenting proficiently to large audiences, including government or advisory panels on immunization, and demonstrated leadership in coordinating and convening global stakeholders.

Desirable

• Demonstrated work experience with Centers for Disease Control, Gavi, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF or other global immunization stakeholders.

Skills

• Knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases and immunization programmes at global, regional and country levels and demonstrated understanding of equity principles to reducing the number of zero-dose children to meet global immunization goals and targets.
• Familiarity with guiding documents including IA2030, and understanding of global immunization initiatives, such as the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
• Ability towork as a team member in a multi-cultural environment and/or coordinate diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with a track record of scientific publications.
• Strong interpersonal, networking and diplomacy skills.
• Conscientious, highly organized, with the ability to take the initiative and work independently under general guidance, meet tight deadlines and deliver results.
• Experience with the UN system, including WHO country, regional and global architecture, and competence in building relationships with key immunization partners, such as UNICEF, Gavi, donors and Civil Society Organizations.

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 SkillsEssentialExpert knowledge of English.DesirableIntermediate knowledge of French.Intermediate Knowledge Of WHO Language.REMUNERATIONWHO 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 75,602 (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 5135 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 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.

GradeP4Contractual ArrangementFixed-term appointmentContract Duration (Years, Months, Days)2 YEARSJob PostingNov 8, 2022, 4:31:58 PMClosing DateNov 29, 2022, 11:59:00 PMPrimary LocationSwitzerland-GenevaOrganizationHQ/IVB Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals UHLScheduleFull-timeIMPORTANT NOTICE:Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.