Research Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control. This approach is underpinned by the guiding principles of comprehensive whole of society, people-centered, integrated approaches to disease control. The comprehensive whole of society approaches to disease control involve: (a)coherent implementation of triple response - technical response: implementing disease-specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response: building capacities of district, service-delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; and multi-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders; (b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and(c) community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards. The people centered, integrated approaches to disease control involve: (a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b) integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms, through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics, to guide stratification of disease risks across population groups, to develop and deploy comprehensive packages of interventions appropriate to each targeted population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind. The specific objectives of the UCN cluster to which the VPD programme contributes, are to: (i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization; (ii) contribute to the development of WHO disease-control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations; (iii) support generation and use of strategic information for action and decision making including optimizing investment; and (iv) provide or facilitate provision of technical support in deployment of WHO technical products and services and institutional capacity building, including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities: To provide authoritative advice on R&D innovations for priority vaccines and support Member States regarding vaccine preventable diseases, providing technical and scientific guidance on vaccine safety and regulation, including building the capacity of National Regulatory Authorities for registration of vaccines. To strengthen the regulatory oversight of clinical trials conducted in the Region, including the facilitation of joint reviews for clinical trial applications. To coordinate and implement activities related to vaccine quality, safety, and standards in collaboration with WHO HQ RSS, Safety, PQ, the Blueprint Team, and other WHO entities and partners. To develop work plans for vaccine regulation for the Region, including formulation of milestones to evaluate the performance of vaccine regulation activities. To provide technical guidance for consolidation and implementation of the AVAREF platform, including developing, implementing, coordinating, and providing timely reports. To undertake resource mobilization for activities related to vaccine regulation, norms, and standards. To liaise with AFRO and/or AFRO legal bodies to ensure consistency in the interpretation of legal instruments within the framework of WHO Constitution and AFRO Rules and Regulations, with emphasis on bringing to light and supporting the implementation of regulatory activities in the African Region. To collaborate and coordinate activities with other clusters and departments at AFRO to ensure joint planning of vaccine and medicines' regulation activities. To support the implementation of WHO plans and recommendations pertaining to the Global and Regional Advisory groups (GACVS, RITAG, and AACVS). Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of recommendations of WHO governing bodies; Facilitating coordination with AACVS, RITAG, NITAGs, and partners; Facilitating alignment of the support to NRAs of the AFR Region with appropriate regional policy frameworks and the resolutions of the Regional Committee and World Health Assembly; proactively advising and guiding regional and national partners on vaccine safety at the regional and country levels; Coordinating and implementing resource mobilization and advocacy strategies; Updating existing guidelines, policies and standard procedures for implementation of regulatory functions and frameworks at the regional, sub-regional and national levels. Supporting the development and implementation of harmonized regulatory pathways, and strategic plans and guidelines for emergency response. Periodic assessment of NRAs through: WHO benchmarking and Partners Results Framework; Coordinating the collection of Clinical Trial Review timelines within member States for performance evaluation; Facilitating monitoring and evaluation of pipelines of vaccines in clinical development Development and implementation of WHO technical products through: Publication of periodic reports, including feedback bulletins in close collaboration with team members (at the regional, sub-regional and country levels); submission of information-sharing for annual global progress reports; and maintenance of AVAREF Website and up-to-date regional and national databases on clinical trials and safety; Facilitating innovations in electronic clinical trial submission and review processes as well as the tracking of safety data. Coordinating country support to members states, including technical support as required and in pursuit of enhanced programme planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and institutional and human resource capacity building. Research, evidence, and data for decision making on vaccine development, regulation and safety through: Facilitating development and implementation of vaccine research and innovation agenda with focus on understanding regulatory bottlenecks and deploying appropriate resolution strategies. Building capacity of NRAs and Ethics Committees. To perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Postgraduate degree in Vaccinology, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Public Health or related field from a recognized University.
Desirable: PhD in Immunology, Vaccinology, or Medical Microbiology

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven(7) years' progressive experience at the national and international levels inclinical research, including biological standardization, regulatory evaluation, and capacity building, with at least 3 years at the international level in low and /or middle-income countries. Experience in overseeing implementation, reviewing, and updating existing policies, strategies and guidelines and recommending new initiatives and innovative approaches Experience in thedevelopment of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring andevaluation purposes, regulatory pathways, vaccine approvals, and safety monitoringthrough the life cycle approach. Experience in clinicalresearch and innovationExperience infacilitating coordinated approaches to effective programme management,implementation; monitoring and evaluation, and strategic plan development
Desirable: Experience inregulatory policy formulation and working with regulatory authorities,preferably in a resource-limited environment.Experience in resourcemobilization and coordination of partner support at the international levelA track record ofresearch, with publications at senior authorship level in peer reviewedjournals

Skills

Within the context of the priorities of the Communicable and Non-communicable DiseaseControl cluster, the VPD program, the IA2030, AFR Regional ImmunizationStrategic Plans, and the Regional Research Priorities, the incumbent isexpected to have demonstrated track record in global public health, research,and development of vaccines against priority diseases, complemented by in-depthknowledge of regulatory systems strengthening, including norms and standardsfor vaccines, and related capacity building for product development, includingtheir regulatory approvals and implementation, in particular for emergenciescaused by epidemics and pandemics.The position requires proven strategic planning as related to vaccines,immunization, and disease prevention and control, with strong monitoring andreporting skills on results,progress, and application of lessonslearnt; preferably with some experience of coordinating and implementing such activities at the country and/or regionallevel.The incumbent has excellentcommunication and presentation skills with the ability to write in a clear andconcise manner, with a strong track record of research and publications inpeer-reviewed journals; and to provide technical advice and guidance tostakeholders and partners taking into account the research infrastructure andcapacity of the countries of the African Region.The incumbent also has demonstratedstrong advocacy skills, and ability tomobilize and manage resources forsuccessful implementation of projects. Strong interpersonal skills with abilityto promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and take remedialaction in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices andethics. The incumbent displays diplomacy, tact and courtesy in all professionalsettings.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 77,326 (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 3267 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 advertisement can be used to fill similar positions in ISTs or RO

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