Back Technical Officer (Multiple positions)

To support endemic countries PAK and AFG 

PN  370700 and PN  419887  

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To eradicate poliomyelitis due to wild or vaccine related poliovirus. Complete the interruption of wild poliovirus transmission globally, and more rapidly detect and interrupt any new outbreaks due to wild or vaccine-derived polioviruses.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical guidance for coordination and planning of Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) planning in endemic and outbreak-affected countries as well as SIA activities to reduce vulnerability in countries at high risk of outbreaks.
2. Plan and prioritize allocation of vaccine supplies, funding, and human resources based on thorough understanding of risks and poliovirus situation and in close coordination with HQ, countries and partners.
3. Provide effective response to any importation of wild poliovirus or outbreak of circulating vaccine derived poliovirus in previously polio-free areas through planning, implementation, and coordination with GPEI partners for response to outbreaks in accordance with global guidelines
4. Conduct and administer three-and six-month assessments of status of outbreaks, effectiveness of response and the likelihood of continuing transmission.
5. Monitor progress and identify risks in countries or sub-regions assigned. Identify constraints to polio eradication in priority countries and areas and support the development of plans of action to overcome those constraints.
6. Promote activities to enhance Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance, including rapid surveillance assessments, development of action plans to improve surveillance, evaluation of the impact of these plans, and training/orientation of national and sub-national staff.
7. Develop guidelines and other tools that provide evidence and advice on the best practice strategies for interrupting poliovirus transmission and conducting AFP surveillance.
8. Promote and monitor in-depth analysis of polio priority areas to understand the root causes for continuing poliovirus transmission, the proposed strategies to address the problems, and the progress of the programme in implementing these strategies.
9. Identify training needs, evaluate and document outbreak response activities to ensure that all lessons learned are effectively incorporated into current best practices.
10. Develop and manage approaches in assigned countries that can achieve polio eradication while contributing to strengthening routine immunization systems.

    REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

    Education

    Essential: University degree in medicine sciences and Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, related science or health discipline.
    Desirable:

    Experience

    Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience combined at the national and international levels in public health including a developing country settings, out of which at least 4 years in disease eradication, immunization, or infectious disease control.
    Desirable: Significant experience with polio eradication programmes and management of large-scale public health programmes involving immunization. Working experience with international organizations and/or nongovernmental organizations.

    Skills

    Good knowledge of public health and epidemiology, with broad practical knowledge of public health, infectious disease surveillance and control, vaccine science, immunization and disease eradication policies and strategies and their application in developing countries.

    📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

    ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

    Strong ability and experience with analysis of surveillance, immunization monitoring and epidemiologic data.

    Strong technical writing and analytical skills. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with governments, and in field conditions.

    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

    Use of Language Skills

    Essential:
    Desirable: Expert knowledge of Arabic.
    

    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 84,672 (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 2131 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

11. This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
12. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
13. A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
14. 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.
15. According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
16. Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
17. Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
18. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
19. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
20. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
21. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.
22. 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.
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24. WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
25. The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
26. Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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