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Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities:
•    To lead the area of work aimed at capacity building on EPI norms and practices for immunization health workforce to attain mature integrated and evidence-based decision immunization programmes at regional, sub-regional and country levels;
•    To contribute and support the mapping of countries capacity building needs, mapping of capacities and materials on vaccinology     and immunization norms and practices;
•    To contribute and support to the development of guidelines, Norms, Standards operating procedures, training materials at global, regional, sub-regional and at country level on capacity building of Health workforce including supporting and/or independent bodies in collaboration with other technical focal persons in other VPD areas of work;
•    To facilitate coordinated approaches of trainings and capacity building of immunization Health workforce and supporting and/or independent bodies such as NITAGs, ICC and other committees.
•    To coordinate and support   the establishment and strengthening of functional NITAGs and other supporting bodies such as Inter agency coordinating committees, Health sector coordinating Groups in the African Region,
•    Facilitating optimal use of all available immunization policy resources and training materials, including NITAG, ICC, HSCG resources and platforms,
•    Providing technical expertise and networks of advisory bodies to liaise with WHO headquarters,
•    Facilitating the participation of NITAGs in SAGE and GNN meetings, identify priority countries and coordinate twinning opportunities,
•    Coordinating NITAG assessments, including review of assessment reports, sharing reports with the group of NITAG partners and following up on actions identified with the country.
•    Ensuring that NITAG work plans are aligned with evaluation report recommendations. Encourage close collaboration at regional, sub-regional and national levels to promote information sharing.
•    To Ensure regular reporting on the work of the NITAGs, including the preparation and submission of annual reports in the area of immunization
•    Developing/collaborating on the development and maintenance of up-to-date regional and national databases for  countries  Immunization health workforce training  in African regional
•    To support the VPD team leader in development of proposals, updating of workplans, budget, financial expenditure projections and resource mobilization for the work area.
•    Strengthen partnership, collaboration with all stakeholders and alliances to harmonize and streamline country support for the health workforce capacity building at all levels;
•     Facilitate the back-up of Inter Country Support Teams (ISTs), to provide technical assistance to Member States relating to health workforce capacity building;
•    Collaborate with other programmes to promote and support the development of online training and adoption of innovations and digitalization in capacity building area;
•    Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in medicine with post-graduate degree in public health or health policy.
Desirable: Specialization in immunization, vaccinology and or health policy related domain.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven (07) years progressive experience in developing, designing, and implementing public health programmes, especially managing routine immunization system, planning, implementation and/or M&E of immunization programmes.
Experience in the development of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation including setting up online training platform.

Desirable: Experience in policy formulation, strategic and policy planning as well as facilitating consultations.
Experience in implementation of national immunization programme.
Experience in overseeing implementation, review and updating existing policies, strategies and guidelines and recommending new initiatives and innovative approaches.
Experience in developing or supporting countries to develop evidence-based health and or immunization policies.

Skills

Within the context of the immunization agenda 2030 and the AFR Regional Immunization Strategic Plans, the incumbent is expected to have demonstrated knowledge of routine immunization programmes, vaccine preventable diseases and global health. Proven ability to think independently and strategically plan, coordinate and implement routine immunization activities, including norms and standards for vaccines management and related capacity building; coordination of the demand generation for immunization services, monitoring and reporting on results, progress, lessons learnt and obstacles. Proven understanding of routine immunization as related to preventable diseases including case-based surveillance as well how to achieve universal Health coverage (UHC). Proven track record in the development and implementation of norms and standards and effective reporting mechanisms and systems, and M&E.
Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts; and to participate in resource mobilization and advocacy activities. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus,
communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics. Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

1.    Teamwork
2.    Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3.    Communication
4.    Creating a motivating and empowering environment
5.    Promoting innovation and organizational learning

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French.
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN official languages.

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 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.

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.
•    If 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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