Immunization and Vaccines Development Specialist

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To achieve the control of communicable and non-communicable diseases throughout the Western Pacific Region by targeting the reduction of morbidity and mortality of such conditions and diseases. The programme supports integrated people-centred care approaches by strengthening primary healthcare services for prevention, diagnosis, and care of target diseases and conditions along the life-course, while ensuring to reach the unreached and achieving universal health coverage.

To establish and leverage the impact of an effective prevention and control programme that targets the reduction of morbidity and mortality resulting from vaccine preventable diseases, through a comprehensive approach to immunization, that is made timely and responsive through ground level surveillance and promotion of related health interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic Duties:

• Provide technical support for the development of the Vaccine Preventable Disease and Immunization plan in the assigned country(ies) and assist Member States through the provision of technically sound advice to strengthen the evaluation and monitoring of immunization activities.
• Support the Ministry of Health or other health related interlocutors in the country(ies) in planning and organizing vaccination campaigns.
• Develop work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities and ensure the availability of potent vaccines as well as the required equipment and injection materials.
• Analyze data and information on Vaccine Preventable Disease and Immunization and provide feedback to stakeholders on the impact of newly introduced vaccines in the national immunization schedule of the country(ies) and submit project proposals for the extension of existing health-care networks and the strengthening the existing systems.
• Support research in vaccines, including the coordination of clinical trials of new vaccines of relevance to the countries.
• Develop programs for capacity building in the area of Immunization and Vaccine Development and the management and implementation of the related activities.
• Serve as a technical resource to the public concerning sustainable Immunization and vaccines as well as epidemics, pandemics and other public health emergency threats; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.
• Develop and disseminate guidelines for evaluation of the impact of newly introduced vaccines in the national immunization schedule of Member States.
• Collaborate with Member States to transition WHO-supported vaccine preventable disease surveillance sites/systems to government-supported institutions.
• Liaise with national counterparts, technical departments at HQ and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to vaccine-preventable diseases in Member States and resolve issues or concerns and seek funding for new projects and work programmes.
• Represent WHO at various meetings.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific Duties:

• Working closely with the National Government and direct the execution of Vaccine Preventable Disease and Immunization programme and ensures the alignment of projects and initiatives across the various WHO programmes, and integrate these efforts to ensure reaching the unreached.
• Lead technical support, initiatives and innovations to ensure evidence-based decision making through National Immunization Technical Advisory Group, new vaccine introduction, maternal-neonatal tetanus elimination, ensuring vaccine and immunization safety, improving laboratory-based Vaccine Preventable Disease and Immunization surveillance to prepare and response for potential outbreaks including measles and vaccine derived poliomyelitis.
• Coordinates and collaborates partnership with the National Government, partners (particularly with Gavi), and WHO Regional Office to ensure sustainable financing for Vaccine Preventable Disease and Immunization programme to address coverage, equity, quality and impact of the programme.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in medicine or public health or human biology with specialization on immunization- or vaccine relevant areas.

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/ .

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience, including relevant international exposure, in the field of immunization and vaccine development programmes. Within this experience demonstrated professional experience in providing support to Member States and evaluating vaccine preventable diseases and immunization programmes.

Desirable: Firsthand working experience of Vaccine Preventable Disease and Immunization in a developing nation. Relevant Vaccine Preventable Disease and Immunization work experience in WHO, other UN agencies or international organizations.

Skills

• Sound knowledge of country level situations with regard to vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programmes, their development and management with good understanding of relevant country needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting. Excellent knowledge of disease burden and surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for clinical trials of new vaccines.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Excellent knowledge of Health care systems and safety regulations.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• Team spirit and time management skills.

WHO Competencies Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Promoting innovation and organizational learning
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 77,326 (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. 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 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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