OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals’ (IVB) 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 Global Programme of Work (GPW), 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:1) Establishing global immunization agendas, strategies and policies to build and harness commitment to action.2) Promoting research and innovation to increase impact of vaccines, technologies and immunization practices.3) Advancing evidence-based introduction and access to vaccines and immunization innovations.4) Optimizing immunization delivery to ensure high-impact, sustainable and equitable programmes.5) 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 DUTIES

• Serve as one of the IVB focal points for new TB vaccines including convening expert consultations, preparing for, and presenting at global meetings, fund-raising and grant management.
• Collaborate with the Global TB programme (GTB), regional focal points and external implementation partners to understand the public health need for and prioritization of novel TB vaccines, in the context of current and emerging diagnostics and therapeutics.
• Coordination of cross-functional reviews of vaccine candidates, including other WHO departments such as Prequalification, Neonatal Maternal and Child Health, GTB.
• Establish and lead WHO technical advisory group/s as required to convene consultations and establish consensus on technical/regulatory/policy aspects, including the drafting and publication of guidance documents and publications, such as: (i) Development of Evidence Considerations for Vaccine Policy (ECVP) for new infant TB vaccines (ii) Development of a policy position on BCG revaccination and/or non-specific immune effects for next generation BCG (iii) Revision of the Geneva Consensus Statement for new live mycobacterial vaccines.
• Participate in various external working groups/TB related activities (e.g. Gavi Vaccine Investment Strategy, Stop TB Partnership Working Group on New Vaccines, Smart4TB), and WHO advisory groups such as WHO’s PDVAC, Immunization and vaccines related implementation research advisory committee (IVIRAC), Expert Committee on Biological Standardization (ECBS), SAGE, the Global TB Strategic Technical Advisory Group (GTB STAG), the UN High Level Meetings on TB (UNHLM), and the World Health Assembly (WHA) to aid coordination of activities.
• Communicate and disseminate the guidance articulated within the WHO ECVP, Full Vaccine Value Assessment and other documents to member states and other stakeholders, particularly through forums such as the UNHLM on TB, Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Groups, the Union Conference, the Global Vaccine and Immunization Research Forum (GVIRF) and the Global TB Forum.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in medicine, biological sciences or public health.

Desirable:

• PhD in biological sciences or public health.

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven years of relevant professional experience in public health, including experience of working at the global, regional and/or country level.
• Proven experience in the design and conduct of clinical trials.
• Research or clinical experience in vaccine product and/or policy development.
• Experience working with regulatory processes on product evaluation.
• Experience in conducting and coordinating analysis of data to support evidence review.
• Experience of establishing, managing and coordinating partnerships.
• Demonstrated track record of fund-raising and grant reporting to donors.
• Research or clinical experience in the field of TB.
• Experience leading working groups and working in a team and working in a multicultural environment.
• Track record of peer reviewed publications.

Desirable:

• Experience working within a UN agency an asset.

Skills

• Established technical expertise of and experience in natural sciences and public health in general, and tuberculosis and vaccines in particular.
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently review, evaluate and synthesize scientific publications and other complex technical documents.
• Excellent skills in scientific writing.
• Excellent oral and written communication and ability to take initiative.
• Ability to present technical information in lay terms and facilitate interaction of and communication to diverse stakeholders would be an asset.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 5967 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• 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.
  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. 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.
• 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.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
• 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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