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Technical Officer

Geneva

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • HQ/POL Polio Eradication DGO
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objectives of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) are to lead the global eradication efforts of national governments and the global polio eradication partnership in interrupting the transmission of poliovirus worldwide, to help integrate polio eradication broader immunisation and emergency efforts to certify eradication, and to eventually stop the use of all oral poliovirus vaccines.The immediate strategic objective is to implement WHO's contribution to the GPEI Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategy 2019-2023 in collaboration with GPEI partners and in support of national eradication efforts.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Development and updating of normative documentation for the polio eradication program:
• Liaise with the line manager, Detection and Interruption (DAI) Unit Head, Team Leads and colleagues from Polio Eradication department and the GPEI partnership to identify priority normative materials that that need to be developed or updated.
• Establish plans for development of the normative materials and coordinate across teams and externally for their timely implementation.
• Support DAI in sourcing and contracting external expertise for development of the technical materials relevant to the Objective 1 of the polio eradication strategy.
• Oversees WHO and GPEI clearance, processes, editing technical review and translation of the normative documentation through the eWorkflow platform and other WHO corporate processes.
2. Global mOPV Stockpiles management/vaccine management:
• Coordinate across the GPEI and WHO Regional Offices to ensure timely vaccine supply to outbreak countries.
• In close coordination with UNICEF Supply Division, closely monitor, track and record any changes in the Global mOPV Stockpiles.
• Conduct and enable analysis of the vaccine supply situation relative to the dynamic poliovirus epidemiology to avoid any potential stockouts.
• Participate in the development of practical empirical models of future potential vaccine demand so as to facilitate future planning of the Global monovalent oral poliovirus vaccine (mOPV) Stockpiles and support operational and financial decisions, such as procurements of vaccine.
• Report and update the WHO Polio Eradication Department on the latest Global mOPV Stockpiles status and plans.
• In the context of vaccine-derived poliovirus epidemiology, perform analysis of mOPV supply and demand, and advise management on potential risks of stockouts and propose potential solutions and mitigation measures.
• Represent WHO at the Vaccine Supply Task Team as the focal point for the Global mOPV Stockpiles.
• Coordinate the drafting of funding requests for the Global mOPV Stockpile, and monitor the funding request, payment and donor reporting processes.
• Act as the focal point for stockpile of injectable devices for the GPEI partnership, including interfacing with the manufacturer(s) and advising Country Offices.
• Contribute in internal Incident Management System (IMS) meetings and GPEI mOPV Advisory Group calls to ensure that the responses to poliovirus outbreaks are based on reliable information about mOPV stocks and lead times for delivery of vaccine to the country level.
• Coordinate activities relating to supply of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) with UNICEF and within HQ/POL as required by the programme.
• Ensure timely financial reporting and updating of WHO inventory on oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) and injection devices.
3. Program fundraising and donor reporting:
• Facilitate programme fundraising efforts and donor reporting by coordinating across the DAI Unit to provide coherent inputs to grant requests and donor reports in a timely fashion.
• Draft sections of grant requests and donor reports relevant to my areas of work.
• Collaborate with the Management, Finance and Human Resources (MFH) and the Resource Mobilisation and Communications (RMC) teams to ensure coherent donor coordination and reporting across DAI.
4. Programme planning, coordination:
• In support of county and regional offices, take part in development of polio eradication programme tools and processes for monitoring and evaluation.
• Provide training to country and regional colleagues on the use of the programme tools and the processes.
• Support the organisation of DAI semi-annual retreats.
• Work closely with the Team Leader and DAI Unit Head to develop briefs, presentations and other information materials regarding the polio epidemiology and polio eradication programme performance.
• Work with the Team Leader on the development of the Unit's workplans and monitor their implementation.
• Serve as the Secretariat for the Budget Review Sub-Group ensuring regular meetings and preparation and dissemination of the minutes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in public health, international development, business administration, or a related field is required.
Desirable: Training in business administration or economics.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of relevant experience in programme design and management of public health and/or humanitarian aid programmes, some of which at the field in resource-limited settings. Experience at national and international levels.
Desirable: Experience in an international and/or non-governmental organization working on the coordination of a programme across multiple organizations. Experience in African or Eastern Mediterranean Region and in polio eradication.

Skills

Sound technical knowledge of poliovirus epidemiology and the global polio eradication programme and issues. Demonstrated knowledge of GPEI strategies, policies and protocols. Knowledge of eWorkflow and other WHO corporate tools and processes for development of normative guidance. Ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environments. Strong organisational skills. Excellent data management skills. Strong knowledge of MS Office suite of programmes. Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write documents in a clear and concise manner, give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics. Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English is required.
Desirable: Expert 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 73,516 (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 5483 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.