The Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda 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 involves: (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing diseases 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 involves: (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 incumbent is expected to contribute towards:

• Leadership in BCU country readiness assessment

– Coordinate the digitalization of BCU readiness tools developed by WHO and UNICEF.

– Develop standard operating procedures for periodically assessing country readiness in the implementation of BCU as well as BCU coverage and data systems assessments.

– Set up a system of periodic self-assessment and reporting on BCU readiness assessments by all the priority countries.

– Set up and maintain a dashboard dedicated to monitoring progress in preparing for BCU implementation.

– Develop a technical guidance on the management of big-catch data integrated with the existing RI system, allowing to track use of dose allocated to BCU activities.

– Coordinate WHO support to Member States in setting system for generating tailored schedules for zero-dose and under-immunized children and tracking coverage by all antigens missed as per national guidance.

– Coordinate provision of technical assistance to Member States in setting up/adjusting data systems to capture data for reporting on BCU indicators.

– Provide technical assistance to Member States for the collection and analysis of data on Behavioral and Social Drivers (BeSD) of vaccine uptake to understand enablers and barriers to catch-up activities.

– Set up a system for monthly reporting from countries to AFRO on BCU including uptake, zero-dose coverage and vaccine stocks.

– Lead BCU data analysis and use at sub-regional level including developing adding a component on BCU implementation to the readiness dashboard, preparing monthly bulletins, automating data quality control of BCU data.

– Develop guidance and tools for evaluating BCU programmes in priority countries.

– Prepare at least one manuscript related to the implementation of BCU in subregion to be submitted in a peer-reviewed journal.

• Other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

Essential: At least first University degree in Epidemiology, Health Informatics, Computer Science, Biostatistics, Data Management, Data Science, or related fields.

Desirable: Master’s degree or Certificate in Biostatistics or Advanced data analysis using up-to-date statistical software.

Essential: At least five (5) years of experience in data management and analytics.

Desirable: Experience working with a national Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) programme.

Experience working with WHO or other UN Organization is an asset

Strong knowledge of principles and practices of communicable disease epidemiology with specific experience in VPD surveillance and data management; Proven experience in using Business Intelligence tools like Power BI or Tableau software, SQL server Reporting (SSR) tools. Experience working with DHIS2 or other HMIS. Proven skills in using advanced Excel or R for data management and analytics; Proven skills and knowledge in automating data ETL (extract transform load) using SQ or any scripting language including, R or Python;

Presentation skills and competencies in communication; Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to solve and explain technical issues and take part in training activities with tack and diplomacy. Ability to write in a concise manner and to present factual information on database applications, Knowledge of WHO/AFRO practices and procedures is an advantage.

1. Teamwork

2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3. Communication

4. Producing results

5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French or English or any other UN official languages.

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 64,121 (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 2095 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.

• 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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 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.

• 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 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• 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 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• 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.

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

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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