Team Lead, Vaccine Platforms and Prioritization

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The IVB Department's mission is 'To promote the health and well-being of all people, in all countries, by advancing the impact of vaccines and immunization programmes through partnership and leadership; policies and guidance; evidence and research'. Our work is aligned with the WHO 13th Global Programme of Work (GPW13), with a central focus to drive impact in countries, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages.The Strategic Objectives of the IVB Department include:1) Establishing global immunization agendas, strategies and policies to build and harness commitment to action. 2) Promoting research and innovation to increase impact of vaccines, technologies and immunization practices. 3) Advancing evidence-based introduction and access to vaccines and immunization innovations. 4) Optimizing immunization delivery to ensure high-impact, sustainable and equitable programmes. 5) Harnessing Vaccine Alliances and Partnerships, including collaborations with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and key WHO partners, towards cross-programme coordination and collaboration in pursuit of universal health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The major objective is to lead the team to better inform the Research and Development agenda by identifying and articulating the needs of immunization programmes in LMICs, and to strategically advance priority products and technologies to optimize the impact of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. As part of this, it is expected that the Team Lead develops, implements and oversees frameworks that will aid prioritization, in coordination with the PDR Unit Head, other colleagues with the PDR teams, the IVB Department and external partners.Generic duties • Provides technical leadership and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the area of developing and managing mechanisms to create alignment and investment in vaccine R&D with respect to public health priorities, based on country and regional engagement, across partner organizations, ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively. • Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the areas of vaccine product and technology prioritization, and programmatic preferences/perspectives on innovation, for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles. • Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a small team of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization. • Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work. • Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables. • Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise. • Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in Vaccine Platforms and Prioritization to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies. • Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for novel vaccines and biologics and innovative technologies to meet priority unmet public health needs. • Perform all other related duties as assigned.Specific dutieso Engage with and convene global stakeholders to define the full value of a vaccine and create a line of sight from early vaccine development, beyond licensure to access and impact in countries. Horizon scanning of innovative platforms, tools and approaches that may transform the effectiveness and accessibility of vaccines for LMICs, and to intersect these with vaccine workstreams.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree in biological sciences, epidemiology or public health related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: • A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.• Professional project management qualification.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years' relevant professional experience in the management of vaccine and related technology product development, including experience in the area of health policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable: • Experience of working in multiple sectors, including vaccine industry.• Demonstrated professional experience in training and presenting to large audiences conferences/meetings, etc.• Previous experience working in the UN system is an asset

Skills

• Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.• Good skills in mobilizing resources.• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.• Understanding of vaccine introduction decision making considerations at the programmatic level.• Broad awareness of vaccine delivery innovations and concept of total systems effectiveness.• Knowledge and understanding of national immunization programmes and immunization-related issues and logistics.• Highly motivated individual capable of influencing and taking initiative.• Ability to plan and execute projects in a timely manner with strong planning and organization skills, also able to adapt to organizational changes.• Proven technical and analytical writing skills, and an ability to combine theoretically sound strategies with practical realities, and to think strategically and analytically.• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a wide range of partners.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate 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 88,162 (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 6436 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• 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.