Location: Geneva
Deadline: Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Description
TECHNICAL (OFFICER, IMMUNIZATION POLICIES AND STRATEGIES) (HQ/13/IVB/TA78)
30 July 2013
The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: HQ/13/IVB/TA78
Title: Technical (Officer, Immunization Policies and Strategies)
Grade: P3
Contract type: Temporary appointment
Duration of contract: 12 months
Date: 30 July 2013
Application Deadline: 20 August 2013
Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
Organization unit: HQ/IVB Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (HQ/IVB), HQ/EPI Expanded Programme on Immunization Plus (HQ/EPI)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
The EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization Plus) team is housed in the Department of Immunization Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB), within the Family, Women and Children's Health cluster. EPI itself is divided into three functional groups: Strategic Information, Programme Operations, and the Policy and Strategy group, where the position is situated. EPI's objectives, in the context of the Decade of Vaccines Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) endorsed in 2012 by the World Health Assembly, are to develop policies and strategies for maximizing the use of vaccines of public health importance and their delivery; to support regions and countries in acquiring the necessary skills, competence and infrastructure to implement these policies and strategies and achieve disease control/elimination and eradication of objectives.
The EPI Team works across the 3 priority areas:
Protect: Increasing immunization impact by reaching the unreached, increasing and sustaining coverage and strengthening immunization systems;
Innovate: Introduce new vaccines and technologies, promote integrated approaches to disease control, explore alternative delivery methods;
Accelerate: Elimination of measles and rubella, control of Meningitis A, monitoring of maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination.
Polio eradication is a focus across all priority areas.
Description of duties:
As a Technical Officer, the incumbent will assist in providing technical support to the development and dissemination of policies and strategies to strengthen routine immunization systems and support new vaccine introduction, particularly to Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV). Responsibilities include:
- Support the development of technical communications materials (implementation guides, briefings, FAQs) to convert WHO position papers, IVB and Global Strategic Plans into practical and feasible programme guidance to support IPV and other new vaccine introduction, as well as to strengthen routine immunization;
- Collaborate with other staff and units in IVB and WHO to identify evidence required for the establishment and modification of recommended practices and gather data through consultations, case studies and research to facilitate these;
- Assist with the logistics and technical preparation of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (IPAC) and Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) meetings as needed;
- Compile information and prepare draft communication materials, reports and publications for WHO committees and governing bodies, collaborating agencies, the internet, the press and public, as well as provide feedback to Regional Offices and countries on a regular and ad hoc basis;
- Work with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), UNICEF and other partners, ensure current and up-to-date information on policies and strategies governing the introduction of IPV and withdrawal of trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (tOPV) is available and accessible by regional and country counterparts;
- Support the documentation of country experiences in switching from OPV to IPV, to identify implementation best practices and guidance for use by other countries;
- Contribute to other immunization related activities as requested.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential
- University degree in communications, medicine, public health, global/international health, health policy and management, socio-medical sciences, epidemiology, or another field relevant to immunization.
- For WHO staff please see e-manual III.4.1, para 220.
Desirable
- Advanced level degree in any of the above mentioned fields.
Skills:
- Ability to work as a team member, and sensitivity to working in a multi-cultural environment.
- Proven ability to work to deadline and budget, in collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization systems, and maternal and child health.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work with and/or coordinate a diverse groups of stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal, networking and diplomacy skills.
- Conscientiousness with ability to take initiative and work independently.
- Familiarity with the UN system, including knowledge of WHO country, regional and global functions.
WHO Competencies
1. Communicating in a credible and effective way
2. Fostering integration and teamwork
3. Knowing and managing yourself
4. Producing results
Experience:
Essential
- At least 5 years of relevant professional work experience in either the public or private sector, including in developing countries, with relevant direct experience in the areas of immunization, maternal/child health and/or communication.
- Demonstrated experience working on the development, planning, implementation or monitoring and evaluation or communication of national health programmes.
- Previous experience developing technical and/or communications materials based on policies and strategies, ideally in a public health context.
- Experience developing country-focused communications materials based on scientific publications.
Desirable
- Previous experience working in the UN system at country and/or regional level.
Languages:
Essential
- Expert knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable
- Knowledge of another UN language.
Additional Information:
- Priority will be given to internal candidates.
- A written test may be used for screening purposes.
- Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice.
- This vacancy is published in English only.
Monthly salary:
(Net of tax)
USD 56'018 at single rate
USD 60'013 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment:
103.3 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment . The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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