Coordinator (COVAX, Immunization & Vaccine Development)

Contract

This is a P-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about P-6 contracts.

The Covid19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the health and the well being of the entire world, apart from shattering global economy and our ways of life that the world desperately needs a solution to contain the continuing spread of this virus. The global scientific community has put in extraordinary efforts to develop vaccines against this virus and several of the vaccine are already licensed and being rolled out, and several more vaccine candidates are coming along.

The roll-out of vaccines to reach all populations is unprecedented public health effort that requires tremendous technical capacity within WHO to support countries to prepare for vaccine roll-out and then to provide technical support for the actual roll out including strengthening countries' capacity for AEFI surveillance and response once mass vaccination is begun.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

1. To lead efforts to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic in the South-East Asia Region through access to and an efficient deployment of COVID-19 vaccine(s) in countries of the Region;

2. To ensure optimal utilization of technical, financial and human resources for the development of National Deployment and Vaccination Plans and their implementation and monitoring in Member countries of South-East Asia Region;

3. To provide technical expertise and support to countries in the development, regulation and engage multi-stakeholders to ensure the access and availability of COVID19 vaccines to all people of all countries so that “no one is left behind”; and

4. To support targeted efforts directed towards the prevention and control of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in South-East Asia Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Director, CDS, and the overall guidance of Director, Programme Management, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

1. Provide the technical leadership and strategic direction for the appropriate planning, and manage the introduction of COVID-19 vaccine in countries of South-East Asia Region for the roll-out of the vaccine(s);

2. Provide expertise and authoritative advice to Member countries of South-East Asia Region, through country offices of WHO, on technical and programmatic issues related to COVID-19 vaccines, policy and strategic elements of good preparedness national plans of actions and lead the actual roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine(s);

3. Be the leader to foster collaboration with global and regional partner agencies, donors and other stakeholders to ensure consensus on policy direction and programmatic strategies of COVID-19 vaccine as well as ensuring optimal coordination and support for implementation of strategies during the planning, roll-out and follow-up phases in Member countries of South-East Asia Region;

4. Coordinate the global workstreams involved with procurement, distribution, readiness, deployment and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccine(s);

5. Be the pre-eminent expert on matters of vaccine research and related immunization policies, strategies and actual field roll out of such new vaccines in countries;

6. Identify the needs for, oversee the organization of and provide leadership and guidance in technical meetings, workshops and webinars, to ensure proper dissemination of information pertaining to COVID-19 vaccine(s) and their deployment;

7. Represent South-East Asia Regional Office of WHO in high-level global meetings on policies and strategies related to vaccines against COVID-19 as well as other vaccine-preventable diseases;

8. Provide leadership, technical and managerial support for implementation of plans to achieve the goals, targets, milestones outlined under the Regional Vaccine Action Plan and National Vaccine Action Plans of Member countries of South-East Asia Region; and

9. Any other task assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Degree in Medicine and Post-graduate degree in public health/community health.

Experience

Essential: At least 15 years' relevant experience at senior levels, including five years' experience in international or multilateral organizations like UN, in public health surveillance and vaccine preventable disease programming, with a proven track record of direct technical leadership in immunization and new vaccines. Desirable: Extensive experience in vaccines, immunization and demonstrated excellence in scientific writing in the form of publications in peer-reviewed international journals.

Skills

Thorough knowledge of WHO values, policies, mission goals and regulations. Broad knowledge of communicable disease surveillance; previous experience in vaccine preventable diseases programming and/or surveillance. Technical competence in vaccine preventable disease programmes. Demonstrated managerial skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment. Ability to coordinate and motivate staff of various backgrounds. Ability to exercise sound professional judgement.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Driving the Organization's position in health leadership Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 2789 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.