Technical Officer (VPD Outbreaks and Response), Geneva, Switzerland

Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)

Country: Switzerland

City: Geneva

Office: WHO Geneva, Switzerland

Grade: P-4

Closing date: Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Technical Officer (VPD Outbreaks and Response)

( 2210035 )

Grade : P4

Contractual Arrangement : Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 2 YEARS

Job Posting: Feb 28, 2023, 11:10:25 AM

The Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals‘ Department’s mission is ‚To promote the health and well-being of all people, in all countries, by advancing the impact of vaccines and immunization programmes through partnership and leadership; policies and guidance; evidence and research‘. Our work is aligned with the WHO 13th Global Programme of Work (GPW13), with a central focus to drive impact in countries, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages. The Strategic Objectives of the IVB Department include:1. Establishing global immunization agendas, strategies and policies to build and harness commitment to action.2. Promoting research and innovation to increase impact of vaccines, technologies and immunization practices.3. Advancing evidence-based introduction and access to vaccines and immunization innovations.4. Optimizing immunization delivery to ensure high-impact, sustainable and equitable programmes.5. Harnessing Vaccine Alliances and Partnerships, including collaborations with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and key WHO partners, towards cross-programme coordination and collaboration in pursuit of universal health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Outbreak response:

To support management of EPI-led outbreak response mechanisms for epidemic prone vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).

To liaise with WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme’s (WHE) Public Health Intelligence, Risk Assessment and Dissemination Unit and with EPI regional officers for monitoring VPD outbreaks and supporting global response coordination efforts. This will involve strengthening and coordinating the Measles and Rubella Initiative outbreak working group and its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and processes as well as supporting the development of global stockpiles and new WHO guidance.

Humanitarian emergencies:

To coordinate WHO Headquarters IVB response to planning, implementation and monitoring of vaccination activities in humanitarian emergencies, in close collaboration with WHE, regional offices and partners. This work will focus on measles, hepatitis E, diphtheria, yellow fever, meningitis and typhoid fever.

Humanitarian mechanism:

To coordinate the WHO Secretariat for the effective implementation of the humanitarian mechanism in close collaboration with IVB’s Agenda, Policy and Strategy (APS) Unit and WHE’s Fragile, Complex and Vulnerable Humanitarian Intervention Unit. This work will include clearance of requests, strengthening recording and monitoring, organization of meetings, and information sharing among key stakeholders.

Surveillance and risk assessment:

To support IVB/EPI’s VPD Outbreak, Recovery and Risk Assessment Team to strengthen WHO regional offices‘ (RO) systems and tools for detection and monitoring of VPD outbreaks and risk assessments and their linkage to preventive vaccination mechanisms, in collaboration with ROs, WHE and key partners.

Measles outbreak strategic response plan (MOSRP 2021-2023):

To support the implementation of the Measles Outbreak Strategic Response Plan (MOSRP), including oversight of the Measles Partner Platform, implementation of the Measles Simulation Exercise programme, development of measles training and further guidance materials and tools.

EYE Strategy:

To coordinate EPI’s role in the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy’s programme management group, and contribute to activities of the Vaccine Delivery Working Group.

Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisory line.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree (master’s level degree or above) in Medicine, Epidemiology, Public Health, Global/International Health, Paediatric Health, Socio-medical Sciences, or other fields relevant to immunization.

Desirable: Specialized training in global/international public health, health emergencies, project management, vaccinology, or related field.

Experience

Essential:

At least seven years of relevant professional work experience in the health sector with clearly demonstrated experience in working with ministries of health in planning, implementing or monitoring immunization or emergency health programmes in low-resource environments.

Demonstrated experience of working with the United Nations system, including WHO country, regional and global offices and UNICEF program or supply division.

Demonstrated expertise in working in countries that are fragile or under health emergency settings.

Knowledge of the Global Polio Eradication initiative.

Proven experience to work effectively, cooperatively and strategically to meet short deadlines in a fast environment.

Desirable:

Developing and implementing disease control/elimination and eradication initiatives at national and regional level.

Knowledge of public/private health partnerships and related priorities e.g. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund, etc. would be highly desirable.

Skills

Expert knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization system components.

Excellent understanding of goals, operations and priorities of Health Emergencies Programme and Global Polio Eradication initiative.

Strong interpersonal, negotiating and consultative skills.

Ability to work effectively in a team and familiarity in working in a multi-cultural environment.

Conscientious with ability to take initiative and deliver work independently under broad guidance.

Ability to coordinate or lead a diverse group of stakeholders and demonstrate diplomacy.

Ability to develop productive relationships with key immunization stakeholders, donors, the NGO and CSO community.

Competent writing and presentation skills.

Having published articles on immunization or immunization-related topics would be an advantage.

Ability to work as a team member, collaborate with multiple stake-holders and exercise sensitivity in a multi-cultural environment.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Producing results

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of French.

Intermediate knowledge of other WHO language.

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 75,602 (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 4473 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 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.

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.

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

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

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

WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

Link to the organization’s job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1677701316254