Unit Head - Agenda, Policy & Strategy

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 vaccine and health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic duties:Provides senior technical leadership in establishing new approaches, priority agendas, policies and strategies, and capacity building initiatives for implementation across Regional and Country Office programmes in the respective area of work.Provides senior level health technical expertise and advice to the Director and Senior Management in the area of immunization agenda, policy and strategy for implementation into and/or the monitoring and evaluation of national and global policies.Ensures effective coordination, management, and accountability of the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficiently managing a diverse team of technical experts, financial resources and effective work plan coordination to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.Ensures the coordination and management of the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the Department's area of work of key performance indicators and global reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Department deliverables.Serves as the scientific/technical reference among UN Agencies and the peer community on the immunization agenda, policy and strategy. Builds technical partnerships with other UN Agencies, Donors, research institutions and other stakeholders in the immunization agenda, policy and strategy to position the technical area of work and implementation into respective policies.Represent the programme area of work in global fora.Performs all other related duties as assigned. Specific duties: Leads the process to set the strategic direction of IVB and immunization more broadly.Coordinates with immunization analysis and insights unit to ensure quantitative analysis is used to chart progress against strategic direction and identifies opportunities for course correction.Ensures close collaboration and cross learning with polio and other programmes in WHO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree in public health, public policy, global health, epidemiology, medicine, international relations, vaccinology, or another field related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: A PhD or MD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the development and management of immunization agenda, strategy, and/or policy, including experience providing senior level advice and guidance to Senior Management/Decision makers, managing human and financial resources, as well as experience in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience at the international level. A proven track record in building collaborative and healthy partnerships at global or regional level in public health or vaccine-preventable diseases. Experience in interacting with a broad range of immunization stakeholders at global and country level.
Desirable: Demonstrated experience in developing strategies though consultation with and convening/driving complex multi-stakeholder partnerships. Experience using quantitative analysis to inform policy and strategic discussions and decisions. Strong understanding of immunization and vaccines. Experience in significant immunization partner organization.

Skills

Strong knowledge and skills in the area of developing and establishing agendas, policies, and strategies. Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources. Strong understanding and skills in mobilizing resources. Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States, partners and media. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.Globally-respected level of technical expertise and knowledge in immunization agenda, policy and strategy developmentProven leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes. Concrete skills in the development of agenda, strategy and policy including through innovative processes with partners, senior representatives of stakeholder organizations and individual thought partners and influencers in global immunization, health, and associated fields. Ability to provide thought leadership on the future direction and means to secure impact of immunization programmes. Ability to develop effective, strong, trusted working relationships across IVB, WHO (including with Regional counterparts) and with a wide range of partners. Outstanding team and project management skills, able to implement a proactive, structured and timely approach and also able to adapt to organizational or contextual changes. Strong representation skills and politically astute. Able to make informed and strategic recommendations to senior management.Works with Team Leads (and teams) to drive disease specific strategies for impact e.g. meningitis, measles and the Immunization Agenda 2030Works with relevant Team Lead to drive global access efforts (markets, supply and finance). Works with Team Lead and team to drive strong policy development at global, regional and national levels. Strong capacity to manage multiple competing demands and meeting deadlines and timelines with efficiency. Draws together and cross-links the agenda, policy and strategy work toward enhanced impact. Highly motivated individual capable of influencing and taking initiative.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results
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 100,800 (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 7300 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.