OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMMEThe Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control. This approach is underpinned by the guiding principles of comprehensive whole of society, people-centered, integrated approaches to disease control. The comprehensive whole of society approaches to disease control involves: (a)coherent implementation of triple response - technical response:implementing diseases specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response: building capacities of district service delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; and multi-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders;(b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and (c) community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards. The people centered, integrated approaches to disease control involves: (a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b) integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics to guide stratification of disease risks across population groups to develop and deploy comprehensivepackages of interventions appropriate to each targeted population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind.The specific objectives of the UCN cluster to which the VPD programme contributes, are to: (i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization; (ii) contribute to the development of WHO disease control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations; (iii) support generation and use of strategic information for action and decision making including optimizing investment; and (iv) provide or facilitate provision of technical support in deployment of WHO technical products and services and institutional capacity building, including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIESThe incumbent contributes to the following: 1. Coordination, Governance and leadership support to the immunization program through Facilitating alignment of the implementation of the AFRO Regional Strategic plan on Immunization with appropriate regional policy frameworks including the Immunization Agenda 2030, the Addis Ababa Declaration on Immunization, and the resolutions of the regional committee and world health assembly; proactively advising and guiding regional and national partners on routine immunization at the regional and country levels; Supporting development, monitoring and evaluation of VPD work plans and budgetary proposals;Coordinating elaboration and implementation of immunization resource mobilization and advocacy strategies; . Facilitating coordination with RITAG, ICC, NIATGs and partners;Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of recommendations of WHO governing bodies; Updating existing guidelines, policies and standard procedures for implementation of Immunization and VPD surveillance at the regional, sub-regional and national levels for vaccination along the life course, Supporting the development and implementation of harmonized, costed national strategic plans and protocols for routine immunization (for control, elimination and eradication of targeted VPDs) including ensuring forecasting and maintenance of vaccine stockpiles for emergency vaccination.2. Periodic assessment of Immunization programs through Coordinating the mid-term and/or end-term evaluation of national immunization strategies within member States of the region; Facilitating conduct of appropriate immunization monitoring and evaluation activities including periodic vaccination coverage surveys, comprehensive program reviews3. Development and implementation of WHO technical products throughPublication of periodic reports including: feedback bulletins in close collaboration with team members (at the regional, sub-regional and country levels); contributing to annual global progress reports; and maintaining up-to-date regional and national databases on routine immunization;Facilitating deployment of innovations in national immunization programmes including innovations in the tracking of under and un-vaccinated people, use of electronic Immunization registers, and deployment of electronic logistics management systems; Coordinating country support to members states including: technical support as may be required and in pursuit of enhanced programme planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; and institutional and human resource capacity building. 4 Research, evidence and data for decision making on Immunization programmes throughFacilitating development and implementation of regional immunization research agenda with focus on understanding programme bottlenecks and deploying appropriate resolution strategies including strategies aimed at addressing the challenges of stagnation and low immunization coverage with inequity. Building capacity for use of triangulated data (routine immunization, epidemiologic and laboratory surveillance data,) in stratification of immunization coverage and identification of left behind or under-immunized communities or population groups.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EducationEssential: Degree in medicine with post-graduate degree/training in public health or health policy, complemented by post-graduate training in epidemiology with specialization in infectious diseases or communicable diseasesor PhD in public health, epidemiology or related field with a specialization in infectious diseases.
Desirable: Specialization in vaccinology,immunology, infectious diseases, pediatrics.
ExperienceEssential: A minimum of seven years progressive experience in developing, designing, and implementing public health programmes, especially managing routine immunization system especially planning, implementation and/or M&E of immunization programmes, with of 5 years inclusive at the international level in low and/or middle-income countries. Experience in overseeing implementation, review and updating existing policies, strategies and guidelines and recommending new initiatives and innovative approaches Experience in the development of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation purposes, introduction process of new vaccines, monitoring of VPD programme including demand generation through inclusive community engagement approachExperience in vaccine logistics management, Experience in facilitating coordinated approaches to effective programme management, implementation; monitoring and evaluation, national strategic plan developmentExperience in resources mobilization and working with variety of partners coordination at international level;A track record of research, with publications at senior authorship level in peer reviewed journals
Desirable: Experience in policy formulation, quality management, strategic and policy planning as well as facilitating consultations. Experience in implementation of national immunization programme would be an asset.
SkillsWithin the context of the immunization agenda 2030 and the AFRO Regional ImmunizationStrategic Plans, the candidate is expected to have demonstrated knowledge of routine immunization programmes, vaccine preventable diseases and global health.Proven ability to think independently and strategically plan, coordinate and implement routine immunization activities, including norms and standards for vaccines management and related capacity building; coordination of the demand generation for immunization services, monitoring and reporting on results, progress, lessons learnt and obstacles. Proven understanding of routine immunization as related to preventable diseases including case-based surveillance, Integrated Disease surveillance (IDSR) and International Health Regulations (IHR) as well how toachieve universal Health coverage (UHC). Proven track record in the developmentand implementation of norms and standards and effective reporting mechanisms and systems, and M&E. Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into considerationthe views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts; and to participate in resource mobilization and advocacy activities. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics. Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.
WHO CompetenciesTeamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Use of Language SkillsEssential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.
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 3440 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.
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