Technical Officer (Immunization Monitoring and Equity)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Communicable Diseases and, Environment and Health (CDE) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases and address the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health, and promotes policies and actions for health through stewardship of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. It focuses on health promotion measures; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis, and vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases; elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and advocacy for increased use of vaccines; containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance; addressing existing and emerging environmental health risks and supporting violence and injury prevention. A determination to ensure universal access to people-centred quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural, and behavioural approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional, and local levels.

Within CDE, the Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization Programme (VIF) aims to reduce disease and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases by:

• Strengthening routine immunization programmes by achieving and maintaining high vaccination coverage with childhood vaccines.
• Ensuring that all children, adolescents, adults, and women of childbearing age have equal access to safe and high-quality immunization services.
• Ensuring that epidemiological surveillance, including laboratory networks, is sufficient to achieve and sustain disease elimination targets.
• Supporting the implementation of an immunization week to promote immunization and
• Fostering appropriate partnerships with governmental and intergovernmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other relevant partners.

The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii)setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options;(v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work2020-2025 -“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable, and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the context of the implementation of the European Immunization Agenda 2030 (EIA2030) at the country level, the provision of technical assistance is directed towards achieving vaccine-preventable diseases control, elimination and eradication goals and targets by supporting the national efforts to identify and address immunization inequity and strengthen vaccine-preventable diseases surveillance thereby strengthening immunization service delivery within the domain of primary health care. The technical assistance is provided within the framework of CP-CA-23-06 under the EU4Health Work Programme - European Immunization Agenda (EIA2030) monitoring and accountability framework for high quality data towards evidence-informed decision-making.

Under the overall supervision of the WHO Representative and the Health Operations Manager in WHO Romania Country Office and the technical supervision of the Regional Adviser, Vaccine-preventable diseases and Immunization in the WHO Regional Office, the incumbent will:

Key Duties:

• Provide technical support to Ministry of Health and/or relevant ministries, governmental agencies, subnational authorities and doctors as well as nurses organisations to identify, plan, implement, and monitor strategies to address immunization inequities at the subnational levels particularly amongst the vulnerable population groups through understanding of the community insights and using the insights findings in developing context-specific service delivery modalities to address the identified inequities.
• Provide technical support to implement the national vaccination strategies to strengthen immunization systems including (and not limited to) vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, evidence-informed decision making, vaccine safety monitoring, vaccine demand and acceptance, immunization information system and monitoring.
• Provide technical support to integrate COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccinations into broader health system mechanisms and including strengthening of routine immunization system.
• Coordinate the development, planning and implementation of short-term and long-term plans of NationalImmunization Programme to operationalize the national and regional immunization programme goals.
• Provide technical support to implement preparedness, readiness, and monitoring activities of critical immunization programmatic areas of routine immunization including strengthening polio, measles, rubella, and other vaccine-preventable diseases surveillance, addressing immunization inequity to achieve high and equitable vaccination coverage and facilitate new vaccine introductions.
• Disseminate and facilitate implementation of SAGE and ETAGE recommendations on vaccines and vaccination.
• Conduct field visits, analyze data, undertake periodic programme reviews.
• Support the development of and/or prepare progress reports in line with the national, regional, and global needs.
• Facilitate and coordinate regional staff and high-level immunization partner missions as appropriate.
• Undertake any other duties which may be assigned according to the needs of the WHO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, nursing, health management or relevant social/public health areas.
Desirable: Advanced University degree (Master's level or above) in public health or epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years' experience in planning and management of public health or immunization programs. Experience in developing national policy and planning documents in the area of public health, immunization and/or emergency response.
Desirable: Work experience with WHO or another international public health organization.

Skills

• Knowledge of WHO guidance and policies in immunization and/or public health emergency response.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to review and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Excellent Communication, Facilitation and Report-writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work across cultures and with the capacity to build strong working relationships.
• Knowledge of Office software applications.
• Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of ROMANIAN.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of ROMA.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at RON 232,129 (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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