The Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases (UCN) cluster in the WHO African Regional Office. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control 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 involve: (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing disease-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 involve: (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 comprehensive packages 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.
The individual will perform the following duties consistent with the work of the VPD workplan: Support Member States to develop generic protocols on implementation research to address critical problems like high numbers of zero-dose children. Support and coordinate implementation research activities, including but not limited to pragmatic trials and non-randomized experiments within programme settings in Member States to test innovative solutions for reducing zero-dose children and improving immunization uptake. Support Member States to rapidly translate research findings into policies to strengthen immunization service delivery. Support ethics and regulatory reviews of research in Member States. Provide expert advice on research, immunization programmes, health systems and community involvement in immunization in the region. Support Member States to adapt or adopt regional implementation guidelines and recommendations. Plan and organize regional trainings on technical topics relevant to the region in collaboration with research and academic institutions, health professional organizations, and NGOs involved in immunization to promote vaccine demand and uptake. Review, analyze and synthesize reports on research. Support research in pilot implementations and vaccine introduction. Advocacy and resource mobilization for vaccine implementation research. Perform any other duties as assigned.
Essential: Advanced university degree in epidemiology, public health, or social sciences from an internationally recognized university.
Desirable: Advanced degree in implementation research.
Essential: At least 7 years of relevant work experience in public health services delivery with demonstrated experience in implementation research. Proven experience to work with a diverse range of stakeholders to meet deadlines and within budget.
Desirable: Experience in more than one country in Africa is an asset
1. Demonstrated track record in knowledge of immunization programmes complemented by basic vaccinology. 2. Knowledge and skills in research, strategic thinking, systems thinking, programme assessment, monitoring and evaluation. 3. Knowledge of implementation research. 4. Excellent writing skills and publication track record, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to write in a clear and concise manner. 5. Ability to engage and provide technical advice and guidance to stakeholders and partners considering the capacity of the countries of the African Region. 6. Strong interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and/or take remedial action in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.
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 3583 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.
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