Director, Polio Eradication

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the Polio Eradication Initiative is to achieve certification of the eradication of polioviruses worldwide. This is done by providing support to national governments via the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Partnership. The two goals of the present GPEI Strategy are to permanently interrupt transmission of all Poliovirus in endemic countries and to stop vaccine derived poliovirus transmission and prevent outbreaks in nonendemic countries.

The five objectives within the GPEI Strategy are to:

1) create urgency and accountability to generate greater political will,

2) generate vaccine acceptance through context-adapted community engagement,

3) expedite progress through expanded integration efforts with broader partners,

4) improve frontline success through evaluating and adapting campaign operations and outbreak response and,

5) enhance detection and response through sensitive surveillance activities.

In addition, implement the four objectives in the GPEI Gender Equality Strategy for Polio Eradication.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Leads the Department in providing technical expertise to Member States and other Stakeholders with guidance and technical data required for the development, implementation, and monitoring of national and/or global policies and activities for polio eradication.
• Provides the overall leadership, management accountability, and direction of the Programme in delivering its objectives through managing and galvanizing a diverse workforce and financial resources to optimize the Programme deliverables and mandate.
• Oversees mobilization and allocation of the financial, human and technical resources for WHO polio eradication activities across the three levels of the organization.
• Oversees and coordinates strategies and leads efforts for mobilizing financial resources engaging with donors from public and private entities.
• Provides senior level technical advice and expertise to Senior Management in the area of assigned responsibilities in order to position the Department and Organization as a leader in the respective area.
• Directs and leads overall establishment and development of the Department's evidence-based policies and strategies in alignment with the Strategy for roll out and delivery for Regional and Country Office implementation.
• Oversees the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the Programme's area of work in collaboration with Regional and Country Offices to ensure development of key performance indicators and global reporting requirements and mechanisms to ensure optimal performance of Department deliverables.
• Facilitates prompt budget and financial analyses and transparent reporting to POB and to donors.
• Serves as the scientific/technical reference among UN Agencies, donor partners and other key players in Polio eradication.
• Serves as chair of the GPEI Strategy Committee, and as such is accountable to the Polio Oversight Board, through its chair, for implementation of the current Polio Eradication Strategy.
• Coordinates the planning and implementation of consolidated WHO-wide work plans for polio transition.
• Promotes the integration of Regional and Country Office perspectives and operational capacities into the Department's programme area of work.
• Ensures implementation of GPEI Gender Equality Strategy at all levels of the programme.
• Contributes to the WHO's commitment to the United Nations wide Accountability Framework for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment.
• Builds and maintain strong partnerships and fosters consensus building with External Partners, Member States, UN Agencies, Donor, cutting edge research institutions and other stakeholders in the subject area to politically position the technical area of work and implementation into national and/or global policies.
• Represents the Organization and Department area of work in a diverse array of global fora to position WHO as a leader in the global health community.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree in a health discipline or related field. Postgraduate training in public health, epidemiology, vaccinology or related field.
Desirable:

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the management of programmes in public health and/or disease immunization and control. Within this experience, demonstrated experience at the international level in developing countries. Experience providing senior level advice and guidance to senior management/decision makers, managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies in immunization disease control and in particular related to polio eradication. Demonstrated experience in vaccines and surveillance at the international level.
Desirable: Experience in conflict negotiations and political advocacy. Experience working in the Middle East and Africa. Research and scientific publications.

Skills

• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies.
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Proven skills in developing strong partnerships across multiple groups, organizations and individuals to work towards a common goal but with different capabilities and methodologies.
• Strong capabilities in relationship building with core implementing partners (e.g. Unicef) and especially critical to develop strong working relationship with AFRO, EMRO regions and high-risk polio country teams.
• Strong understanding and skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States, donors, country governments, partners and media.
• Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
• Globally-respected level of technical expertise and knowledge in public health and epidemiology with broad practical knowledge of immunization programmes, vaccine policies and strategies and their application in developing and developed countries.
• Proven leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which should include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.
• Basic knowledge of research in vaccines, immunology and virology.
• Comprehensive understanding of fundamental gender concepts.
• Proven experience in supporting gender equality and women's empowerment at both strategic and policy levels.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 117,280 (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 9138 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 selection maybe subject to special selection procedures
• 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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