Technical Officer (Immunization Equity)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health (CDE) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of communicable diseases and addresses 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, behavioural insights; 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-centered 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”. The Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization unit, a flagship initiative through the implementation of 2030 European regional immunization agenda, will set a course for everyone in the WHO European Region to enjoy the full benefits of vaccines, including Covid-19 vaccine, across their life-course. It will focus on addressing immunization inequities between and within countries, based on local data and evidence, through innovative local level programming and tailored interventions for a demonstrable impact. Within the domain of addressing immunization inequity in the Region, the agenda will support building a resilient immunization system in “Middle-Income Countries” by strengthening critical components of national immunization programmes. The unit will bring existing partners, WHO Collaborating Centres, sub regional platforms, community-based and civil-society organizations and non-traditional immunization partners to forge renewed partnerships and harness the available technical expertise of academic institutions in the Region towards making the 2030 European regional immunization agenda a reality.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To facilitate the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of technical assistance activities supporting immunization equity improvement efforts in Member States, within the context of immunization programme strengthening under the overall domain of European Immunization Agenda 2030. The focus of responsibility will be to further strengthen the efforts to achieve stated goals and objectives of European Immunization Agenda 2030 through identification of un- and under-vaccinated; understanding the reasons why they are not vaccinated; deciding how they can be reached and vaccinated; and evaluating impact of the efforts. This responsibility will require development of capacity at national, sub-national and service delivery levels in Member States; and development and implementation of country specific equity improvement plans.

Under the supervision of Regional Technical Officer, IPS and overall guidance of the Regional Adviser, Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization Unit, VIF, the incumbent will:

• Ensure provision of technical assistance to Member States towards improving regional and national capacity in the area of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization, with particular emphasis in the area of identifying, addressing and tracking inequities in immunization.
• Support to the Regional Technical Officer, IPS and the Regional Adviser, Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization Programme, in development and implementation of long-term strategies for immunization pogramme strengthening in line with Global and Regional Immunization Agenda (plan) and the Medium Term Strategic Planning (MTSP), and support equity improvement efforts in Member States.
• Work closely with technical staff of other teams in VIF, particularly in conducting data triangulation to identify sub geographies and/or population groups with immunization inequities, and with technical staff of IPS team in interpreting findings of behavioral insight studies to tailor immunization interventions targeting to reach the un- and under-vaccinated individuals.
• Provide technical support and advice to Member States in identifying, addressing and tracking inequities in immunization, particularly by building capacities and supporting development, implementation and monitoring of equity improvement plans with the aim of building resilient immunization systems in priority Member States.
• Develop and adapt necessary tools to plan, implement and monitor immunization equity improvement efforts, and support development or revision of training materials.
• Monitor effectiveness and impact of immunization equity improvement efforts through use performance indicators at regional and country level and document best practices to be shared with all stakeholders.
• Ensure integration and coordination of immunization equity improvement efforts and activities at the Regional Office and country level, with all other activities of immunization services and within the context of health system strengthening.
• Collaborate and work with technical experts from partner agencies and organizations to advance strategies, approaches, tools and systems to support actions and initiatives towards improving equitable immunization coverage in Member States.
• Work with and strengthen collaboration with community-based and civil-society organizations and non-traditional immunization partners to forge renewed partnerships and harness the available technical expertise of academic institutions in the Region toward making the 2030 European Immunization Agenda a reality.
• Undertake any other duties which may be assigned according to the needs of the WHO, under the strategic guidance of supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master`s level) in medicine, public health, epidemiology, environmental science, health policy or social sciences relevant to the position.
Desirable: Additional university degree in any of the above fields.

Experience

Essential:

At least seven years' public health experience in programme management, planning and policy development.

Demonstrated experience at national and international level in vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programme, particularly in the area of immunization programme strengthening.

Desirable:

Experience in planning, implementing and monitoring immunization equity improvement efforts.

Experience with donor proposal writing and reporting.

Relevant experience with(in) WHO and / or the UN system.

Skills

Broad knowledge in public health, epidemiology and particularly in disease control and immunization programmes.

In depth knowledge on immunization inequities and barriers to vaccination.

Ability to design studies, skills on effective planning and policy development, analysing data and writing concise reports.

Up to date knowledge of immunization programme strengthening policies and strategies.

Emotional awareness; the ability to identify and harness one's emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one's own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

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: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, German.

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, and currently amounts to USD 5149 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

• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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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