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 Disease and Immunization unit, 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

The purpose of the post is to support and strengthen vaccine-preventable disease control and elimination efforts of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in Tajikistan in increasing and maintaining high vaccination coverage for vaccines in the national immunization schedule thereby intensifying the efforts to achieve the regional goals and objectives within the context of the European Vaccine Action Plan (2015-2020) and the upcoming 2030 European regional immunization agenda.

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative, and technical supervision of the Regional Adviser, VPI at the WHO European Regional Office in Copenhagen, the incumbent will undertake the following specific responsibilities:

1. Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health in Tajikistan, as WHO's primary counterpart on immunization to support areas of regional disease control and elimination goals and vaccination programme as a whole.

2. Oversee and coordinate the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of short-term and long-term plans of National Immunization Programme (NIP) that operationalize the national and regional vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programme goals and targets.

3. Provide technical support in developing innovative methods to increase and maintain high immunization coverage with special focus to vulnerable population.

4. Support the MoH of Tajikistan in planning and monitoring introduction of new vaccines, facilitate immunization safety and monitoring of adverse events at national and local levels, support in updating and adapting guidelines, plans, materials and tools, as appropriate and support performing assessments.

5. Serve as the primary technical supervisor of the VPI team in Tajikistan and coordinate the required work to support the NIP. Cooperate and coordinate implementation of assigned technical duties (under the strategic guidance provided by the Regional Adviser, VPI).

6. Conduct field visits, collect and analyze data, undertake periodic reviews according to established protocols to monitor performance of the NIP and document the assessed performance on regular basis.

7. Provide technical support in facilitating integration of other public health interventions (maternal and child health, primary health care, health system strengthening and public health) into vaccination programme.

8. Provide technical support in adapting regional immunization policies and strategies to the country context and in ensuring alignment and streamlining of work plans and their implementation, contributing to achievement of regional and global immunization goals and targets, in collaboration with all in-country stakeholders.

9. Facilitate and coordinate VPI staff and high-level immunization partner missions to Tajikistan as appropriate.

10. Undertake any other duties which may be assigned according to the needs of the WHO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master's level) in public health, epidemiology or a related field or equivalent professional qualification.
Desirable: Post graduate training or studies in immunization, vaccine-preventable diseases or immunology.

 

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of professional experience at the national and international level in immunization programme(s) and vaccine-preventable diseases control, elimination, eradication and surveillance.
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO at regional or country level, or in the UN managing vaccination programme and/or VPD surveillance preferably in low and middle-income countries. Demonstrated experience partnering with national, regional and international counterparts or organization/agencies.

 

 

Skills

Excellent presentation and strong written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Computer literacy on use of text, spreadsheet, and presentation software.Emotional awareness; Ability to identify and harness one's emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one's own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

 

 

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 Russian.

 

 

 

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 77,326 (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 2281 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.

This vacancy is archived.

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