Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Multi- Age Cohort( MAC) and Switch Introduction Consultant

Overview

Support HPV Multi-Age Cohort and Switch introduction efforts

You have:

• Master’s degree in Public Health or any related field
• Training in Vaccinology or Epidemiology or Data Management or Public Health Policy Development and Implementation
• Five years of experience in Immunisation
• Experience in developing Gavi applications
• Experience in new vaccine introduction guidelines
• Experience in HPV deployment
• Experience in developing EPI strategic plans
• Advanced English and local language in the area of assignment
• Demonstrated knowledge of immunization programs including HPV introduction
• Working Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN and partner agencies
• Experience working in relevant non-governmental organizations
• An experience in maternal and child health programs including school health programs

Background

HPV is a prevalent viral infection of the reproductive tract and can lead to various conditions in both men and women, including precancerous lesions that may progress to cancer.

Research have demonstrated that a single dose of HPV vaccine is sufficient to elicit an immune response that provides similar protection as a multidose regimen against initial and persistent HPV infection.

Global cost-effectiveness analysis also suggest that vaccinating pre-adolescent girls is usually cost-effective for cervical cancer prevention, particularly in resource constrained settings where other control measures often have limited coverage.Vaccinating multiple age cohorts (MAC) is predicted to result in significantly faster impact of vaccination compared with single age cohort vaccination. Further evidence also shows that a single-dose MAC strategy can save a comparable number of lives as a two-dose MAC strategy. It also provides a comparable efficacy and duration of protection as a two-dose schedule.This may offer programmatic advantages, be more efficient and affordable, and contribute to improved coverage.

Based on this background and in line with the WHO SAGE recommendations on HPV vaccination, and review of country-level epidemiological evidence and in-country HPV delivery strategies, countries are progressively introducing HPV MAC and switching to the single dose regimen as a key step in HPV infection control.

It is against this background that WHO would like to recruit a consultant to support country- level HPV MAC and Switch Introduction and HPV revitalisation activities .

Task/Assignment

Under the supervision of the WHO EPI team lead, the leadership of the WHO Country Representative and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health the consultant will support the conduct of the following activities:

1. Support development of applications requesting vaccines and vaccine introduction grant (VIG)/operational costs support (OPs) for New Vaccine Support (NVS) or Switch grant funding; missed cohorts up to 18 year;

2. Refinement of epidemiological assessments, risk assessments and introduction plans. Development and validation of detailed analyses (and modelling, where applicable);

3. Support Evidence Synthesis process with NITAGs, ICC and Regulatory bodies ahead of vaccine introduction.

4. Adopt lessons learned from relevant processes or reviews, such as the Independent Review Committee (IRC), High Level Review Panel (HLRP), or International Coordinating Group (ICG), EPI reviews, or Post-Introduction Evaluations (PIEs)

5. Support MAC planning process through use of WHO planning and implementation guide and readiness assessment tool

6. Identification of synergies between vaccine introductions and/or campaigns and/or other interventions (e.g. deworming).

7. Identification of strategies and synergies in an effort to improve coverage and equity;

8. Development of relevant supporting documents and tools, including budgets (VIG/OPs);

9. Coordinate, review and validate planning tools, such as introduction readiness tool or SIA readiness assessment tool

10. Development of monitoring & surveillance procedures and protocols

11. Coordinate and supervise pre- and post-introduction activities

12. Develop and implement social mobilization and communication plans, including relevant training materials

13. Support Launch and conduct vaccination and revistilisation activities

14. Monitor implementation progress and identify challenges, propose remedial action and collect lessons learned.

15. Support routinization of HPV and integration into existing programmes such as NCD, RMNACH etc

Output and Deliverables

Output 1. HPV MAC and Switch Application processess

1. Comprehensive Grant application document for HPV MAC introduction

2. Comprehensive Grant application document for HPV Switch introduction

Output 2. Leverage the HPV introduction as the opportunity to strengthen routine immunization

2.1.Strategic plan for national and sub-national introduction and routinization using integrated platforms for service delivery

2.2.Training material and guide of the implementation incorporated into the national guidelines

2.3.Final report of the implementation HPV MAC and HPV switch

2.4.Report on Lessons learnt, Challgenes and Recommendations following implementation of HPV revitilisation activities

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Education Qualifications

Essential: Master’s degree in Public Health or any related field

Desirable : Training in Vaccinology or Epidemiology or Data Management or Public Health Policy Development and Implementation

Work Experience

Essential: Five years of experience in Immunisation.

Experience in developing Gavi applications, new vaccine introduction guidelines, HPV deployment, and EPI strategic plans.

Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN and partner agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental organizations. An experience in maternal and child health programs including school health programs will be an asset.

Skills/Knowledge

· Demonstrated knowledge of immunization programs including HPV introduction, routine immunization, new vaccine introduction, and conduct of Supplementary Immunisation Activities.

· Working Knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Languages and level required

Advanced English and local language in the area of assignment.

Competencies

· Teamwork

· Effective communication

· Producing results

· Knowing and managing yourself

Additional information

· WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e.,) discrimination, abuseof authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report toWHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated historyof SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

· WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int