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Qualifications

PURPOSE

Overall objective of the position is to provide technical support to enhance coordination capacity of MoH programs with the Ministry of Education and the different partners on HPV vaccination introduction.

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among women in most low and middle-income countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cervical cancer is largely preventable and as such, the Director-General of the World Health Organization recently made a global call for action toward the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem. As part of a strategy for preventing and reducing the burden of cervical cancer, the Ministry of Health (MOH), through the National Cancer Control Unit (NCCU), School Health Program (SHP) and Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) began preparations to introduce human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine within its routine immunization schedule. The vaccine was launched on 12^th June 2023 in a campaign mode in the country. The vaccination program used a school-based strategy which was targeting all girls aged between 9-14 years while out of schoolgirls of the same age were reached through specific primary health care facilities.

DELIVERABLES

1.       To support HPV vaccination into national immunization programme services, PHC and any other relevant health services with the overall aim of improving programme efficiency and sustainability, enhancing demand, achieving and maintaining satisfactory coverage, including addressing inequities.

a)       Conduct a situational analysis of the current state of HPV vaccine programme along all health system building blocks in order to identify current strengths and focus areas

b)      Develop detailed HPV vaccine implementation plan to include technical actions for the priorities/focus areas for school-based vaccination and integration into routine services.

c)       Identify capacities and needs for roll out HPV vaccine including capacity building for HPV vaccine roll out.

d)      Collaborate with other sectors and partners in the implementation of HPV vaccine plan.

2.       To provide technical support and monitor HPV vaccine introduction activities 

a)       Collect compile and analyse HPV vaccine coverage and monitoring data and provide feedback to senior officials in MoH and partners for interventions at national and subnational level

b)      Develop technical guidelines and protocols on matters related to HPV vaccines for improving vaccination coverage in the country.

c)       Assist MOH with planning and implementation of HPV vaccination campaigns, such as school-based campaign to reach unreached girls in the first round of the campaign

d)      Undertake field visits to monitor the planning and implementation of HPV vaccine program and providing feedback at appropriate levels

e)       Review and coordination of the allocated thematic components of HPV vaccine such as Monitoring & Evaluation, Vaccine logistics management, Cold Chain, AEFI, Health System Strengthening etc. with regions and partners.

f)       Organize and coordinate meetings of technical expert committees, document the minutes of meetings and subsequently follow up on action points.

g)      Coordinate with partners and stakeholders for improvement of program performance.

3.       To support the Ministry of Health to conduct a Post Introduction Evaluation (PIE) to evaluate the impact of the HPV vaccine introduction on the country’s immunization programme. 

a.    Develop comprehensive HPV vaccine Post Introduction Evaluation (cPIE) protocol, data collection tools, checklist and conduct trainings

b.      Conduct desk review and PIE to highlight deployment activities that went well and should be maintained, identify problems needing corrective action.

c.       Highlight lessons learned from the HPV vaccine deployment to strengthen the overall national immunization system and services

d.      Inform recommendations to improve roll-out and integration of HPV vaccines, especially in terms of vaccination of subsequent single age cohort.

e.       Disseminate results and produce PIE report.

4.       To support the Ministry of Health to implement COVI-19 vaccine integration activities

a.       Implement the COVID-19 Vaccine integration framework and develop operational plan.

b.      Support systematic collation of information on current status, challenges faced and/or gaps in guidance from vaccine pillars and partners on COVID-19 vaccination

c.       Support MOH to implement COVID-19 vaccine comprehensive Post Introduction Evaluation recommendations.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND LANGUAGES

Educational Qualifications

Essential – First university degree in Nursing or Medical Sciences.

Desirable – Master’s degree in public health or other relevant health management field

Experience

Essential – A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in overall coordination of public health programs at a national level.

Desirable – Experience and involvement in supporting any of EPI activities is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies)

Knowledge and Skills

–          Sound knowledge and experience with national immunization programming.

–          Excellent analytic and writing skills

–          Very good writing, presentation, documentation and data analysis skills.

–          IT skills (Basic Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

–          Excellent command of MS-Office

–          Planning and organizing

Mandatory Competencies

–          Technical Expertise: demonstrates the required expertise and technical knowledge in functional area.

–          Teamwork: treats all people with dignity and respect and demonstrates ability to work constructively with people of diverse backgrounds and orientations. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

–          Communication: expresses oneself clearly in conversation and produces effective written communications.

–          Producing results: produces and delivers quality results and committed to achieving outcomes.

Languages and level required

Essential – Expert knowledge of English

LOCATION

Mbabane, Eswatini.

TRAVEL

Travel within the region and communities

REMUNERATION

Grade: NO-C Local UN Salary scale

Contractual Arrangement: Special Service Agreement (SSA)

Duration: The work is expected to take ten (10) months.

Contract extension is strictly contingent on availability of funding and or performance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

–        This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

–        Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

–        A written test may be used as a form of screening.

–        If your candidature is retained for 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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–        The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. 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 for WHO jobs.

–        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

–        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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.

–        WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

–        Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.

–        WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

–        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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