Roster of consultants - Routine Immunization

BACKGROUND

Strengthening routine immunization systems is fundamental to achieving IA2030 goals and to WHO’s broader vision of equitable health coverage. WHO takes lead in providing technical assistance to member states including through deployment of qualified consultants. Such technical assistance is critical to accelerate progress, implement evidence-based strategies, and ensure the effective use of donor resources.

Annually, AFRO receives over 100 requests for technical assistance from Member States, encompassing a broad range of routine immunization functions, such as:

• Implementation of routine immunization strategies, including innovative approaches.
• Development and updating of national immunization strategies.
• Gavi portfolio planning with a focus on system strengthening.
• Conducting comprehensive EPI reviews, post-introduction evaluations, and data monitoring.
• Development of EPI policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
• Capacity-building and training activities.

Consultant deployment is embedded in many regional and country-level project agreements to ensure countries deliver on planned activities. Mobilizing timely support avoids delays in implementation, underutilization of funds, and associated risks.

DELIVERABLES

• Implementation of Routine Immunization Strategies
• Detailed implementation plan: Including timelines, resources, and innovative approaches.
• Monthly progress reports: Tracking the implementation status and identifying any challenges.
• Evaluation report: Assessing the effectiveness of the strategies and suggesting improvements.

• Development and Updating of National Immunization Strategies
• Desk review report: comprehensive review of available information to prepare situational report
• Stakeholder consultation report: Summary of feedback from key stakeholders.
• Draft strategy document: Comprehensive strategy including goals, objectives, and action plans.
• Final report and strategy document: Incorporating feedback and ready for implementation.

• Conducting Comprehensive EPI Reviews
• Review protocol: develop/update comprehensive EPI review protocol
• Review plan of action: develop a plan of action for implementation of the review
• Review report: Comprehensive analysis of EPI performance.

EDUCATION QIALIFICATIONS

• Essential

Medical degree with a Master's level university degree or equivalent educational qualification or post-graduate degree/training in public health or health policy.

• Desirable

Post-graduate training in epidemiology, vaccinology, immunology, infectious or communicable diseases.

EXPERIENCE

• Essential

A minimum of 7 years of national or international management of routine immunization, vaccines logistics management and related activities.
Experience in 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.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE

• 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 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) as well how to achieve Universal Health coverage (UHC).

OTHER SKILLS

Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, Power Point).

LANGUAGES

Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French or Portuguese.
Desirable: Knowledge of additional UN language.

TRAVEL

The assignment involves travel to and from the designated duty station and within the country.

REMUNERATION AND BUDGET (TRAVEL COST EXCLUDED)

Band level B - USD 7,000 - 9,980 per month.

LIVING EXPENSES (A LIVING EXPENSE IS PAYABLE TO ON-SITE CONSULTANTS WHO ARE INTERNATIONALLY RECRUITED)

N/A.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html.