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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

JOB PROFILE SUMMARY

To provide technical expertise and support to government counterparts in strengthening the national immunization program. The role focuses on enhancing the implementation of immunization initiatives, ensuring high coverage and quality. Additionally, the position involves preparing for and effectively responding to health emergencies and disasters, contributing to the resilience and effectiveness of the national public health system.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Liaise with national counterparts at Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders in the development and implementation of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) plan, providing support to strengthen the evaluation and monitoring of immunization activities. 
2. Provide technical support to routine vaccination activities, including mass campaigns and outreach activities, with a focus on planning, preparing, and monitoring micro-planning at all levels, particularly for high-risk populations such as IDPs, refugees, slum dwellers, nomads, and minorities. 
3. Supervise the implementation of vaccination activities, ensuring the availability of potent vaccines, equipment, and injection materials. 
4. Provide the needed technical support for the planned training and capacity building workshops of immunization staff. 
5. Compile and share information on the impact of existing and newly introduced vaccines, submit project proposals for strengthen existing systems. 
6. Develop and monitor work plans and budgets, and follow up on the implementation of planned activities, in consultation with national counterparts. 
7. Support research initiatives, including the coordination of clinical trials for new vaccines, and contribute to the development and dissemination of guidelines for evaluating the impact of newly introduced vaccines in national immunization schedules. 
8. Monitor the utilization of resources for vaccination activities, ensuring proper reporting to management and donors on the progress of those activities. Assist in analyzing vaccination and monitoring data, and modify operations if needed, to improve immunization outcomes. 
9. Provide, or coordinate the provision of, technical advice, strategies, and policies for strengthening country capacity to implement, evaluate and monitor Universal health coverage/immunization programmes including financing of the systems. 
10. Support MoH in developing contingent plans for vaccination during emergencies, ensuring available resources on time. 
11. Lead efforts in ensuring proper management and monitoring of health development activities, providing technical advice to local authorities on integrating Primary and Community Health Care (PHC) into health systems, and advising on strategies to improve program performance and community health outcomes. 
12. Build partnerships and networks with stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration between priority programs, and support the development of inter-sectoral development programs and initiatives. 
13. Monitor the national burden of vaccine preventable diseases or factors especially through health information systems and health research activities. 
14. Lead the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response activities, ensuring vigilance in disease outbreak detection, establishing mechanisms for medicine supply management, and implementing emergency medical services as required. 
15. The Immunization Officer will perform all other related duties as assigned, ensuring alignment with WHO’s broader objectives and addressing emerging needs in immunization and public health. 

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Core Competencies

1.      Teamwork

2.      Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3.      Communication

4.      Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Functional Knowledge and Skills

1.      Very good knowledge of the health system in Syria.

2.      Knowledge and skills in programme management, for the development and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of successful public-health action plans, programmes, and interventions.

3.      Knowledge, skills, and results in coordinating integrated, multi-sectoral, public-health programme interventions, taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders.

4.      Knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in immunization and surveillance will be an advantage

5.      Skills to work effectively with national and international colleagues and partners in capacity building in resource-limited contexts.

6.      Excellent oral and written communication, including for reports, presentations and technical documents.

7.      Skills to advocate and communicate critical immunization messages.

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

  A university degree (bachelor’s) in public health or related disciplines.

Desirable:

Post-graduate training or specialization in one or more of the following disciplines:

primary health care; health workforce; integrated health services; health systems

governance and financing; and maternal, newborn and childcare.

Work Experience

Essential:

1.      A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of immunization and vaccine development programmes.

2.      Professional experience providing technical services to Member States and other partners in public health programmes in resource limited settings.

3.      Experience with intergovernmental agencies, the United Nations System or WHO and knowledge of national partnerships and networks.

Desirable:

Prior experience in implementing immunization and surveillance activities in stable and emergency situations, research proposals and data.

Language Requirements

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Expert knowledge of Arabic.

Information technology (IT) and other skills

Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual gross salary starting at USD 36,458 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, and allowances for eligible 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.  

• 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 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. 

• 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.

• 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. 

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