Objective of WHO - "The attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health."

Mission - "Effective engagement with member states for advancing the global agenda; contributing to national health policies, strategies and plans; and for bringing country realities and perspectives to global policies and priorities."

Following the notification of new cases of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Angola and considering that two national vaccination rounds were conducted in 2025, the Polio Rapid Response Team (RRT) recommended the implementation of two additional rounds using nOPV2. This recommendation was endorsed by the Ministry of Health of Angola, which recognized the urgent need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and the quality of Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs). Despite ongoing efforts, several provinces continue to report suboptimal surveillance performance indicators, increasing the risk of delayed detection and silent transmission of poliovirus. In addition, operational challenges persist in the planning and implementation of SIAs, particularly in high-risk and previously underperforming areas. In line with AFRO technical guidance and considering the scale and complexity of the current response, WHO Angola proposes the deployment of Consultants (UNVs) to provide dedicated field-level technical support for surveillance and immunization activities.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of WHO Polio and Immunization Focal Point or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Epidemiological Surveillance and Immunization Officer will:

• Support the intensification of PFA surveillance in the affected province and adjacent areas.
• Coordinate and monitor the execution of planned vaccination campaigns.
• Contributes to the collection and analysis of epidemiological data to inform strategic decisions.
• Strengthen local capacities to respond to the outbreak by promoting interventions with a sustainable impact
• Perform active case search, according to the recommended number of visits per category of each notification site, using the online checklist on the ODK platform.
• Provide technical support in the training of various health technicians and surveillance focal points at provincial, district and health unit levels.
• Conduct advocacy visits to health authorities at provincial, district and health facility levels, with the aim of strengthening local commitment, proactive participation and ownership of epidemiological surveillance activities.
• Share the monthly work plan and activities carried out with WHO and other stakeholders.
• Provide technical support at provincial, municipal, and health facility levels to adapt and develop polio outbreak immunization response micro plans, in collaboration with local leaders and health authorities.
• Provide technical support for the recruitment and selection of vaccination team members, in collaboration with local traditional, religious and political leaders, ensuring that each member acts within their area of residence.
• Support and guide team members in the preparation of the daily work plan/itinerary for vaccination activities, including the use of maps.
• Support the planning and distribution of vaccines, data collection tools and other immunization materials, from the municipal level to the coordination areas and teams; at the end of each day, support the accountability process of the vaccine vials used.
• Provide technical support at provincial, municipal, and health facility levels to adapt and develop micro plans based on the revised REC – Reach Every Child strategy, to improve and scale up the delivery of routine immunization services.
• Perform any other tasks related to the workstation as requested by your supervisor.
• Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active member of the WHO team, high quality, timely, responsive, and client oriented technical support provided to the World Health Organization and its beneficiaries in the effective delivery of assigned functions, contributing to:
o More effective and timely detection, notification, and response to priority diseases, in line with national and WHO surveillance standards.
o Health teams better trained and capacitated to sustain epidemiological surveillance and immunization activities at national and subnational levels.
o Improved routine immunization service delivery at subnational level, through strengthened planning, monitoring, and use of performance data.
o Enhanced coordination and collaboration among health authorities and partners, supporting harmonized planning, implementation, and monitoring of immunization and surveillance activities.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) considerations systematically integrated, applied, and documented across all activities throughout the assignment, ensuring equitable access, inclusive planning, and responsiveness to the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations.