OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health (CDE) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of communicable diseases and addresses the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, and promotes policies and actions for health through stewardship of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. It focuses on health promotion measures, behavioural insights; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases; elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and advocacy for increased use of vaccines; containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance; addressing existing and emerging environmental health risks and supporting violence and injury prevention. A determination to ensure universal access to people-centred quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural and behavioural approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional and local levels”. The Vaccine Preventable Disease and Immunization unit, a flagship initiative through the implementation of 2030 European regional immunization agenda, will set a course for everyone in the WHO European Region to enjoy the full benefits of vaccines, including Covid-19 vaccine, across their life-course. It will focus on addressing immunization inequities between and within countries, based on local data and evidence, through innovative local level programming and tailored interventions for a demonstrable impact. Within the domain of addressing immunization inequity in the Region, the agenda will support building a resilient immunization system in “Middle-Income Countries” by strengthening critical components of national immunization programmes. The unit will bring existing partners, WHO Collaborating Centres, sub regional platforms, community-based and civil-society organizations and non-traditional immunization partners to forge renewed partnerships and harness the available technical expertise of academic institutions in the Region towards making the 2030 European regional immunization agenda a reality.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Management of the technical programme including formulation of Regional Policies and Action Plans, country plans and projects, implementation, monitoring, and participation in evaluation of outcomes. To direct and supervise the implementation of activities and strengthen leadership and capacity of the Regional Office in the area of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization, including sustaining polio free status and measles and rubella elimination. To advise European member states on a regular basis with regard to strengthening national and sub-national capacities in developing and implementing policies, strategies and tools in relation to vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization as well as polio eradication. To manage relations with partners, supervise staff, and provide oversight of the programme’s financial resources and administration.

Key duties:

Under the guidance of the Divisional Director, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities and achieve the following objectives:

Core responsibilities as a Regional Advisor:

• To provide leadership and managerial oversight to the work of all Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization programme/project staff in regional and country offices;
• To establish, maintain and strengthen partnerships and mobilize resources to efficiently deliver services/products within country and intercountry workplans;
• To be responsible for the allocation of budget and resources within country and intercountry workplans in coordination with the Divisional Director.
• To perform the general management of the programme’s professional and general service staff, as first level supervisor (to include monitoring of workload, performance management and to establish mechanisms which ensure proper coordination within the team regarding travel, holidays), including, in liaison with the head’s of Country Offices, technical programme staff based outside Copenhagen;
• To regularly monitor and assess the performance of the technical programme through evaluation and reporting

Core responsibilities in assisting Member States in relation to vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization, and disease elimination/eradication as part of country efforts to strengthen health systems include:

• With the support of the relevant technical experts in the VPI and in main partner institutions, dialogue with and advise policy makers on national plans and policies to ensure that policies do not perpetuate social injustices and inequities, nor increase inequalities in access to health services and in health outcomes; and that redefined responsibilities in health systems are shared in a coordinated and pluralistic manner across all stakeholders with clear lines of accountability and transparency, with special emphasis on immunization system strengthening and other immunization priorities;
• Manage and oversee development and implementation of innovative approaches, adapted to regional/country needs with special emphasis on immunization systems strengthening, behavior change, new vaccine introduction and elimination and eradication goals for measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis;
• Oversee and mobilize expert technical advice and guidance for assisting national health authorities with the development of mechanisms, instruments and tools (i.e. national health strategies and policies, monitoring and evaluation, performance assessment and performance management and approaches to enhance effectiveness of stakeholder involvement); including the establishment and promotion of CISID and other surveillance systems to monitor and evaluate immunization programmes and interventions and the impact of new vaccine introduction;
• Oversee the development of mechanisms for performance assessment and performance management and approaches to enhance effectiveness of stakeholder involvement;
• Advocacy, knowledge transmission, advice and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned for the enhancement of the capacities and skills of health ministries in carrying out vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization functions, especially towards elimination and eradication goals and new vaccine introduction.
• Contribute to attaining health system goals and strengthening public health capacities in MSs, by advocating for and supporting action across government and society to improve the health and well-being of populations.

Core responsibilities in providing leadership and guidance in directing the advancement of the Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization Programme include:

• Ensure technical quality and competence in the Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization Programme and be responsible for the overall timeliness, management and quality of all programme deliverables of both country and intercountry work plans;
• Develop regional plans to implement global and regional strategies in vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization and harnessing European and other experience and knowledge (e.g. including influencing other sectors to incorporate health concerns in their policies and enhance effectiveness of donor and other stakeholder involvement), documenting gaps therein for the definition of the research agenda on the subject matter;
• Ensure consistency and cohesiveness with the WHO guidelines, approaches, and messages, contributing to the WHO normative function;
• Coordinate international activities with relevant organizations and partners in the technical area;
• Manage the collection and synthesizing of relevant knowledge to build the evidence base for dissemination to Member States as required Oversee the production of authoritative and relevant policy papers and briefs on the subject matter;
• Document and render explicitly pros and cons of various policy options applicable to vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization in terms of their implications and their impact on the level and distribution of health, responsiveness, and financial protection based on country experiences.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master’s level) in medicine, social sciences, public health or epidemiology.
Desirable: Additional university degree in one of the above fields. Additional training in communicable disease prevention and control and/or immunization programmes.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years working experience in communicable diseases, prevention and control, at national and international levels, attaining senior managerial rank. Demonstrated experience in implementing or advising on key domains of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization and/or polio eradication, with particular emphasis in lower- and middle-income countries. Experience in management, planning, monitoring and programme evaluation.
Desirable: Demonstrated experience in advocacy and working with other national/international agencies active in the health sector and community-based organizations.

Skills

• Demonstrated in depth knowledge of the political, social and health systems of countries in the WHO European Region. Emotional awareness;
• The ability to identify and harness one’s emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, German.

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 92,731 (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 6429 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.

• 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.

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