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Technical Officer (Policy and Advocacy)

Geneva

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Political Affairs
    • Communication and Public Information
    • HQ/IVB - Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals
  • Closing Date: Closed

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 improved 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

Under the broad supervision of the Team Lead, MVIP, the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties\:

• Responsible for strategic advocacy for the MVIP. S(he) has a visible role in coordinating engagement activities and information products collaborating with external partners (ministries of health, PATH, designated vaccine manufacturers) and staff across all levels of the Organization to inform and achieve immunization policy objectives.

• Serves as the MVIP policy communications focal point in a variety of settings. This includes ensuring collaborators and partners are aligned on common strategies and messages around the malaria vaccine, and on related immunization issues.

• Provide strategic advice and versatile information products for high-level WHO focal points for MVIP in the three pilot countries (Ghana, Kenya and Malawi) to build confidence in the MVIP. This includes support to community-level social mobilization for vaccine uptake.

• Provide advanced writing and editorial services for MVIP materials aimed at diverse technical, policy-making and other public and private stakeholders (e.g., versatile information-sharing products on WHO channels; issue statements; briefs and reports for policymakers; technical networks and health partners).• Review, contribute to and optimize global and country-level advocacy plans and actions to positively position MVIP and protect its reputation. This includes leading crisis planning and response in coordination with partners, if necessary; and conducting capacity-building training on the handling of vaccine safety or other events that could damage confidence in the RTS,S vaccine, MVIP or WHO programmes.

• Advise WHO global, regional and country communications focal points when engaging with media to ensure public and targeted stakeholder outreach is adhering and achieves policy objectives. This includes advice and support to leaders and technical specialists at all levels of WHO, partners and MoHs.

• Manage high-visibility events, consultations or issue summits involving senior staff of WHO, donor agencies and partners - in collaboration with colleagues in GMP, Department of Communications (DCO) and PATH.

• Represent the MVIP in a variety of public settings, country planning work groups and other technical or public events as requested.

• Provide strategic advocacy, information management and partnership coordination support to the IVB Department and IVB flagship programmes and global initiatives, as requested including change management strategies, approaches and products.

• Manage and ensure high-quality deliverables from vendors and contractors, in line with WHO processes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: An advanced university degree in International Advocacy, Public Policy, Health Policy and Management or a related field relevant to the position.
Desirable\: -

Experience

Essential\: • At least 7 years of relevant international professional experience providing strategic advocacy and communications planning and counsel to health and development leaders and specialists at the UN or international organizations.• Demonstrated experience leading or managing teams or technical areas of work to achieve communications objectives. This includes responsibility for setting objectives, enabling productive collaboration between global health partners, and ensuring delivery of quality products.• Demonstrated advocacy and communications experience in strategic planning, reputation and issue management, media management, crisis/risk communications and capacity-building, writing and editing on public health topics and partner coordination.• Experience working in UN programmes with senior staff and technical staff at all levels of the Organization.• Previous work experience in the AFRO region. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable\: -

Skills

• Demonstrated understanding of immunization and immunization policies, as well as vaccine introduction and malaria topics, trends and emerging issues.

• Solid understanding of broader global health and development actors, trends and issues.• Excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills, ability to coordinate or manage diverse groups of stakeholders.• Detail-oriented and conscientious with ability to take initiative and work independently under general guidance.

• Familiarity with guiding documents such as World Malaria Report, Global Vaccine Action Plan, and understanding of global immunization initiatives such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.• Ability to work as a team member, and sensitivity to working in a multi-cultural environment.• Excellent English-language writing, editing, oral presentation and project management skills.• Ability to translate complex public health information and data into clear, concise language.• Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Beginners knowledge of French.

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 72,637 (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 4625 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.
  • Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
  • 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.
This vacancy is now closed.
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