Technical Officer, Routine Immunization and Primary Health Care

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 involve: (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing disease-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 involve: (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.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The incumbent will coordinate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Immunization Agenda 2030 in the WHO African region, its alignment with the Addis Ababa declaration on immunization, acceleration of routine immunization in the WHO Africa region. S/he is part of the VPD Programme at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, which supports the achievement of universal immunization coverage in the African Region, as part of broader efforts to strengthen primary health care and achieve universal health coverage, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the incumbent has first line responsibility for all aspects of routine immunization activities, guided by the Global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA 2030), the Regional Strategic plan on Immunization (RSPI), the Addis Ababa Declaration on Immunization targets including but not limited to contribution of expertise and technical information; promotion of PHC approach; development and implementation of norms, guidelines and standard procedures for surveillance and interventions; assessment of financial requirements; and the evaluation, updating and expansion of operational policies and strategies. The incumbent also coordinates the provision of guidance and technical support for the implementation of plans and protocols and encourages close cooperation and information sharing.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent contributes to the following:
• Lead and coordinate the development/updating, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of norms and standards related to routine immunization:
• Provide expertise and develop/revise guidelines.
• Proactively facilitate the implementation of norms and standards to facilitate M&E;
• Develop and implement capacity building for routine immunization through the identification and implementation of operational policies to expand strategies.
• Provide technical expertise and advice to Member States and partners, as well as regional and sub-regional laboratory networks;
• Coordinate the development of special cross-cutting initiatives aimed at strengthening routine immunization in the WHO African region
• Coordinate the preparation, organization and follow-up of high level and impactful events on routine immunization in the WHO Africa region
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of strategic interventions aimed at achieving the framework for implementation of IA 2030 in the WHO African region
• Coordinate the engagement of member states and partners in implementing and monitoring the Addis Ababa Declaration on routine immunization
• Coordinate the provision of guidance and technical support to countries for the development and implementation of harmonized, costed multi-year plans and protocols for routine immunization, including:
• Developing and updating existing guidelines and standard procedures for implementation and monitoring at the regional, sub-regional and national levels;
• Cooperating closely with the regional and national public health networks, to ensure forecasting and maintenance of vaccine stockpiles, particularly in case of emergency;
• Promote a health systems / primary health care approach, and specifically encourage integration and close collaboration at the regional, sub-regional and country levels with the other programs within the different clusters of WHO at regional and country levels;
• Serve as focal point for planning, implementation and strengthening of routine immunization programmes, in close cooperation with, and support of, other team members particularly those responsible for Yellow Fever, measles and meningitis control:
• Promote joint planning and monitoring of progress along with the teams responsible for vaccine preventable diseases surveillance and laboratory networks
• Develop, update and evaluate interventions and strategies;
• Identify programmatic research needs, and promote research to improve routine immunization strategies;
• Document and disseminate best practices related to immunisation systems
• Encourage close collaboration at the regional, sub-regional and country levels, including:
• Promoting information-sharing through video-conferencing, informal consultations and, as required, interregional meetings; ensuring regular reporting on the situation of routine immunization in Africa;
• Preparing annual progress reports;
• Developing/collaborating on the development and maintenance of up-to-date regional and national databases for routine immunization as part of the development on new/improved tools and strategies;

• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Educational (Qualifications)

Essential
Medical degree with post-graduate degree/training in public health or health policy or PhD in epidemiology, Public Health or related field.
Desirable
Post-graduate training in Monitoring & Evaluation, epidemiology, vaccinology, immunology, infectious or communicable diseases

Experience

Essential
• A minimum of 10 years of national and international management of routine immunization, vaccines logistics management and related activities.
• Experience in Monitoring and evaluation or project management analysis and the development of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
Desirable
• Work experiences that are diverse, incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN, or governmental Health related agencies will be an advantage.
• Experience in policy formulation and strategic planning
• Experience in resources mobilization and partnership coordination.

Skills

• 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 stockpiles and related capacity building;
• Proven ability to monitor and report on results, progress, lessons learnt and obstacles;
• Proven understanding of immunization systems as related to the control of preventable diseases including case-based surveillance, Integrated Disease surveillance (IDSR) and International Health Regulations (IHR) as well how to achieve universal Health coverage (UHC);
• Demonstrated ability to strengthening partnerships and in mobilizing resources.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

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

Other Skills (e.g., IT)

Proven ability to use standard office software packages, Conversant with common IT software including eHealth tools.

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 4984 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.
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