Director - Immunization, Vaccines and Biological

Grade: D2

Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-Term Appointment

Contract duration: 2 years

Job Posting

: Dec 19, 2017, 10:39:36 AM

Closing Date

: Feb 27, 2018, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

: Switzerland-Geneva

Organization

: HQ/IVB - Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB) is to work towards a world in which all people are vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases. The overall work of the department is distributed in three main areas:

1. Initiative Vaccine Research Team (IVR) that provides leadership on the research activities to develop new or improve vaccines against diseases of public health importance and to facilitate their introduction and use.
2. Immunization policy that provides guidance and norms for vaccine roll-out.
3. The Expanded Programme on Immunization Team (EPI) aimed at maximizing access to high quality immunization services, strengthen surveillance systems, and establishes links to other interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

- To lead and direct the development and implementation of guidelines and strategic plans that facilitate and support WHO's global health governance role in strengthening vaccine development and accessibility at national and global levels.

- To collaborate with the Strategic Advisory Group on Immunization (SAGE) to develop global immunization policies and strategies and ensures their endorsement by, and application of, by Member States.

- To lead global advocacy efforts for the establishment of applied research to develop and improve vaccines in all countries, including endorsing the development of national institutions in developing countries responsible for applied research, training and briefing on vaccine and immunization/related activities.

- To establish, manage and foster relationships with donors, other strategic partners, and stake holders which will include non-state actors.

- To lead and manage the overall work of the department by developing the department's overall strategy and structure to deliver the work required, including establishment and implementation of work plans ensuring the efficient use of resources and the monitoring and evaluation of the work; ensuring the activities are administered within the WHO's rules, regulations and guidelines, and aligned to the agreed technical priorities and directions of WHO and FWC.

- To ensure technical and other risks are mitigated using the context of WHO's internal control framework and risk register within the area of workTo account for the overall financial management of the department, including oversight of timely disbursement, and technical and financial reporting on the use of donors' fund.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine or sciences and postgraduate degree (minimum Masters level) in public health, epidemiology, vaccine development or related field.
Desirable: University qualifications or certified training covering areas of management and/or leadership.

Experience

Essential: 15 years of international work experience in planning, developing and implementing large-scale public health programmes, including at the national level in developing countries. Demonstrated experience in epidemiology, and broad practical knowledge and work experience of vaccines development and vaccines deployment, and their methods of application. Several years of experience in senior or executive capacities of a health programme, with substantial human resources management and decision-making responsibilities for both the technical and managerial elements of the work being managed.

Skills

Demonstrated leadership and team management skills in international and multi-cultural settings. Proven ability to successfully interact and negotiate with senior national and international authorities. Recognised expertise in the field of vaccine development, including experience in the various stages of the life cycle of vaccine development. Knowledge of how to ensure that the areas of monitoring and evaluation are essential to supporting the delivery of concrete results, and an important part to the building of sustained reporting procedures. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including negotiations with persons in a variety of senior positions both internal and external.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communications

Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating and empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of WHO official language.

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 107,150 (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 7233 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 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• 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.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.