National Professional Officer (NPO) - Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The life course programme exists to end preventable deaths and promote the survival, good health, and well-being throughout the life course of populations by ensuring universal access to quality, evidence-based, preventive and life-saving interventions at all levels of the health care delivery system.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, andother related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.Provide Technical support to the MOH in developing, implementing and evaluating national immunization programme (NIP)strategies at national and local levels in updating and adapting relevant guidelines, materials and tools, and in performing training needs assessments,organizing and implementing training activities;Coordinate, and/or facilitate the delivery of technical and managerial advice to the government and national stakeholders inthe development and implementation of sustainable, multisectoral and integrated strategies, policies, work programmes and plans, promoting optimal outcomes inspecial programmes on primary health care; integrated health services;nutrition; sexual and reproductive health and research; maternal, newborn,child and adolescent health and ageing. Develop and monitor work plans and budgets, and follow up on the implementation of planned activities, in consultation with national counterparts.Provide, or coordinate the provision of,technical advice, strategies, and policies for strengthening country capacity to implement, evaluate and monitor Universal health coverage/life course programmes including supporting the Ministry of Health Immunization Programme Coordinator, in implementing projects on vaccinations.Monitor the national burden of life course diseases or factors especially through health surveillance systems, health information systems, and health research activities, in EPI and other lifecourse programmes.Facilitate the adaptation and implementation ofevidence-based norms, standards, guidelines and tools in the broad programme areas.Guide the collection, analysis and documentingof best practices and partners' experiences in life course programmes, anchored in national and subnational perspectives. Serve as a national and technical resource concerning the multi-sectoral integration of programmes in life course and mainstreaming of cross-cutting themes, such as health equity, and the elimination of exclusion.Develop or strengthen strategic partnerships in,and mobilize resources for EPI, life course activities and interventions. Support the national authorities in grant implementation and reporting.Coordinate the development of information,education and communication (IEC) materials to foster community awareness and health practice in EPI and life course areas.Perform other related responsibilities asassigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (bachelor's) in medicine, public health or related disciplines.
Desirable: Advanced degree in Medicine/Public Health, or Post-graduate training or specialization in one or more of the following disciplines: primary health care; integrated health services; sexual and reproductive health and research; maternal,newborn, child and adolescent health and ageing.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of five (5) years of work experience relevant to the position at the national level. A minimum of two years of experience in life course programme interventions.Professional experience in providing technical services to Member States and other partners in public health programmes in resource limited settings. Experience with intergovernmental agencies, the United Nations System or WHO and knowledge of national partnerships and networks.
Desirable: Prior experience in implementing EPI and life course surveillance systems in stable and emergency situations, research proposals and interpreting life course program data.

Skills

Knowledge and skills in programme management,for the development and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation ofsuccessful public-health action plans, programmes, and interventions in one ormore life course areas in special programmes on primary health care; integrated health services; nutrition; sexual and reproductive health and research;maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and ageing.Knowledge, skills, and results in coordinating integrated, multi-sectoral, public-health programme interventions, taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders.Knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in EPI and life course areas will be an advantage.Skills to work effectively with national and international colleagues and partners in capacity building in resource-limited contexts.Excellent oral and written communication,including for reports, presentations and technical documents.Skills to advocate and communicate critical EPI and life course programme area messages.

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:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at SZL 773,490 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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