Medical Officer

Position Title : Medical Officer

PN: 307404

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To reduce childhood morbidity and mortality attributable to vaccine preventable diseases by implementing routine and supplemental immunization activities for all people along the life-course, in order to achieve high coverage and equity in routine immunization, achieve measles elimination and introduce underutilized and new lifesaving vaccines, in accordance with the global and regional vaccine action plans

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Take lead in the provision of technical advice to the country for strengthening routine immunization system and improving routine immunization coverage and equity including development and implementation of the following:--> Comprehensive multi-year plan (cMYP) and annual EPI plan. --> District microplans addressing the bottle necks for ensuring equitable high vaccination coverage at district level.--> Strategy and plan of action to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system including data quality improvement plans at federal and provincial levels.

2. Oversee planning and implementation of Measles/Rubella control/elimination activities from WHO side including:--> Plan and implement measles/rubella supplementary immunization activities. --> Implement measles case-based laboratory surveillance according to regional and national guidelines. --> Establish a system to monitor measles elimination indicators. 3. Coordinate activities related to introduction of new vaccines, including:--> Develop applications to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for introduction of new vaccines.--> Develop new vaccine introduction plan and necessary guide/ instructions.--> Review EPI registration and reporting system to reflect the new vaccine--> Conduct necessary training for introduction of new vaccines and ensuring smooth introduction nation-wide.

4. Coordinate the development and implementation of polio transition plan.

5. Oversee the ongoing laboratory based surveillance of Rotavirus gastroenteritis and invasive bacterial vaccine preventable diseases, as part of the regional surveillance networks.

6. Serve as a technical advisor to the public concerning investigation and response to outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.

7. Supervise and guide other EPI field staff at federal, provincial and districts' levels.

8. Monitor resource mobilization for EPI related activities, timely utilization of funds and periodical reporting in GSM as required.

9. Develop EPI biannual plan/s in coordination with the government authorities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master's degree in medicine, epidemiology or public health with a specialization on immune-or vaccine relevant areas.
Desirable: Certificate in operational research, data management in EPI-related fields.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of extensive and practical experience in the field immunization programmes and control of vaccine-preventable diseases at high managerial levels at national and international levels with focus on policy, planning and strategic actions for improving performance of immunization programmes
Desirable: Experience in control of communicable diseases in general and surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases.Experience with resource mobilization and policy development. Experience in developing and low coverage countries

Skills

1. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of principles, practices, methodology and techniques of immunization programmes.

2. Excellent knowledge in analyzing vaccine preventable diseases and EPI-related data, synthesizing information and presenting clear and concise conclusions and recommendations for decision making.

3. Excellent capacity in developing strategies and plans related to immunization programmes

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

Enhanced WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results

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 89,837 (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 2695 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.
• For assessment of your application, please ensure that: 1- Your profile is properly completed and updated; 2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided; 3- Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Kindly note that CVs/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible.