WHO Kenya Country Office – National Surveillance Officer

Terms of Reference

Background

The WHO AFRO region was certified polio free in August 2020. Kenya achieved its polio free status of indigenous wild polio virus in 2006. However, the ongoing transmission of Wild poliovirus in the African Region and circulating vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in the Horn of Africa Region remains a threat to Kenya because of the high population movements across borders from neighbouring outbreak affected countries. This has been compounded by the severe drought situation in the HoA worsening the migration of high risk groups, insecurity resulting to inaccessibility in the Kenya-Somalia border areas, and areas with sub optimal surveillance and routine immunization coverage. Kenya experienced outbreaks of cVDPV2 isolated from environmental surveillance sites in 2018 (Nairobi) and 2021 (Garissa and Mombasa) linked to outbreaks in Somalia. Since 2021 Kenya has continued to receive surge capacity support from the GPEI due to its high risk status.

Objectives of the programme

The objective of the programme is to ensure that any poliovirus importation (WPV, cVDPV) into Kenya is detected and responded to effectively and in a timely manner. This requires the maintenance of a very sensitive surveillance system and improved coverage in routine and supplementary immunization.

Duty Station: Nairobi

Duties and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UCN Cluster Lead/ Immunization Focal Point, the incumbent will provide technical guidance, collaborate and cooperate with national and county authorities and partners towards the goals of polio eradication response through support to achieving and maintaining quality surveillance within the framework of IDSR, supporting routine immunization activities, response to outbreaks and conduct of supplemental immunization (SIA) activities. .

The National Surveillance Officer will specifically execute the following tasks: -

A Programme Planning, Coordination, Management and Partnerships

1. Support the UCN and EPR cluster leads to coordinate and manage the Polio Eradication activities at Country Office which include to
   1. Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health Polio Incident Management system and EOC in outbreak investigation, preparedness and response activities at national and subnational levels.
   2. Foster close coordination, collaboration and partnership with MOH (national & subnational), GPEI, in-country health and other partners, and assist in the organization of regular coordination meetings, teleconferences, and updates.
   3. Prepare and review activity memos, activity reports and budgets to support MoH activities
   4. Participate in the Horn of Africa and other polio coordination meetings at national and international levels
   5. Support the MOH Secretariat to facilitate and provide support to the National Polio committee meetings
   6. Support MOH to draft and submit the Annual polio progress/update reports
   7. Coordinate with WHO District Health officers, STOP team and polio consultants on issues related to Polio Eradication and VPDs
   8. Provide regular reports and feedback as may be required by the Supervisor

B. VPD Surveillance

1. Support Ministry of Health at national and subnational levels to strengthen and maintain a sensitive active surveillance system within the framework of IDSR with a special focus on vaccine preventable diseases and polio surveillance in the context of the 2022-2024 Polio Surveillance Action Plan as follows:

1. Conduct of regular risk assessments for VPDs
2. Support development, implementation and monitoring progress of implementation of the Kenya National Annual surveillance work plan and mitigation plans
3. Support regular review and rationalization of active surveillance sites
4. Support regular review and monitoring of AFP surveillance indicators,
5. Provide technical support and supervision especially to poor performing and high risk areas including refugee camps.
6. Support the development of risk assessments, desk review and development of mitigation plans
7. Support mapping of high risk and special populations and provide technical support to areas that have these populations
8. Provide technical and supervisory support for Environmental surveillance sites activities and operations.
9. Build capacity of national and subnational levels on Surveillance

C Supplementary Immunization Activities

1. Support Ministry of Health at all levels to plan and conduct good quality Supplementary Immunization Activities through:

1. Support for development of appropriate micro plans and strategies to reach target population in high risk and special populations
2. Support for review of and updating training materials, support training of key SIA personnel
3. Support for review and updating of data tools
4. Support supervision of SIA pre-implementation, implementation, intra campaign monitoring and post campaign evaluations ( independent monitoring and LQAs activities)
5. Support for development of SIA report

D. Routine Immunization Activities.

1. Support MOH at all levels to strengthen routine immunization services especially in high risk and special populations through:

1. Regularly monitor RI performance especially in high-risk counties and support them to conduct risk assessments and opportunistic immunization activities to increase population immunity.
2. Support mapping of high risk and special populations, development of micro plans and strategies in areas of assignment and provide technical support to enable them to be reached by immunization services
3. Support national immunization vaccine programme to develop and implement plans to improve immunization vaccination coverage

Perform any other duties as assigned regularly by the UCN Cluster Lead/IVD focal point, WHO Kenya Country Representative or its delegated authority.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Nationality: A Kenyan National
2. Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine.

Desirable: Advanced level degree related to medicine, public health, or emergency response (e.g. Masters in Epidemiology, MPH, etc)

1. Work Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the planning, development and implementation of the infectious disease control and prevention program, including epidemic prevention and control
• At least 5 years working experience in Global Polio Eradication programme, including the implementation and assessment of AFP Surveillance, Supplementary Immunization Activities and Routine Immunization programme
• Relevant experience in other Vaccine preventable disease programmes including VPD Surveillance and Immunization e.g. measles, NNT, yellow fever, meningitis, COVID-19 etc
• Relevant experience in disease outbreak preparedness, investigation and response

Desirable:

• Experience of Kenya health system functionality at National, county and sub county levels.
• Relevant experience in interagency coordination mechanisms required for outbreaks and emergencies, working in collaboration with international organizations and/or nongovernmental organizations
• Proven quantitative research ability reflected in peer-reviewed publications would be an asset
• Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies or equivalent is an added advantage;

1. Skills

• Capacity to plan, implement and evaluate disease surveillance systems
• Ability to coordinate and manage projects and human resources, build partnerships with multiple partners in health
• Ability to formulate clear and comprehensive strategies, plans and budgets.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multitask and produce results under pressure
• Excellent communication skills
• Capacity for data analysis, computer proficiency and good writing skills

1. Use of language skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of spoken and written English language is required. Intermediate knowledge of another UN language will be an asset.

1. WHO Competencies

Knowing and managing yourself

Producing results

Moving forward in a changing environment

Fostering Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communicating effectively