Immunization Campaign Officer (Sub-national Level)

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

Objectives of the Programme

The Immunization Preventable Disease Programme of WHO Nepal (WHO-IPD) has been providing continuous technical assistance to the Government of Nepal (GON) mainly in areas of vaccine preventable disease (VPD) surveillance and immunization including various supplementary immunization activities, for more than 25 years. WHO-IPD operates nationwide through 10 field offices managed by a central coordinating office. WHO-IPD has also provided technical assistance in informing immunization policy through operational research and has provided pivotal support to the National Immunization Programme (NIP) of Nepal in achieving polio free status and eliminating neonatal tetanus and in controlling measles, rubella, diphtheria, hepatitis-B, Rota virus, Japanese encephalitis and other VPDs. WHO-IPD has also provided technical support in introduction of new and underutilized vaccines such as rota virus vaccine and TCV. The government of Nepal also plans to introduce HPV Vaccine in routine immunization in the coming year.

Measles and Rubella (MR) Elimination is the regional flagship program of WHO South-East Asia (SEA) Region. Recently the target date for MR elimination has been revised from 2023 to 2026 based on regional consultation of the WHO SEA Region. Nepal has demonstrated full commitment on MR elimination goal by 2026. NIP has been advocating with all levels of government and key stakeholders to accelerate MR elimination activities. As per MR Elimination Roadmap and to accelerate progress towards MR elimination, Nepal plans to conduct a nationwide MR campaign in early 2024. Differentiated strategies will be implemented in 24 high risk district (21 districts from Terai region and Kathmandu Valley) in recognition of immunity gaps and clusters of un and under-immunized children. The MR campaign will be complemented across the country by catch-up vaccination (multi-antigen campaign) with DTP-HepB-Hib, PCV and IPV (based on availability) to integrate un- and under-vaccinated children into the routine system and generate the demand for a full course of vaccines.

Purpose of the position

The Immunization Campaign Officer will provide technical assistance for full and timely preparation, implementation, and follow-up of nation-wide MR campaign at Provincial, District and Municipality level. Such technical assistance includes but is not limited to capacity building and sensitization of government and health sectors personnel in quality implementation of MR campaign along with catch-up vaccination of zero dose and under immunized children. The Immunization Campaign officer will also provide technical assistance for HPV Multi Age Cohort (MAC) vaccination and introduction in routine immunization at Provincial, District and Municipality level.

Description of Duties:

Under the overall guidance of WHO Representative to Nepal, Medical Officer and Team Lead IPD, direct supervision of the Immunization Cluster Lead and Immunization Cluster and day to day administrative and technical supervision of Surveillance Medical Officer (SMO) and in close coordination with all clusters of WHO-IPD, the Immunization Campaign Officer (Sub-national level) performs following functions.

1.Technical support for MR and HPV campaign planning, preparedness, implementation, and follow-up.

• Provide technical support in provincial, district and municipality level trainings on MR and HPV vaccination campaign
• Facilitate microplanning workshops on MR and HPV campaign at provincial, district and municipality levels with inclusion of hard-to-reach areas and appropriate strategies to reach missed children in those areas.
• Provide support in pre-campaign assessment/readiness assessment (trainings, vaccines, logistics & IEC materials distribution) and during campaign at Province and District levels as per provided readiness assessment checklists.
• Provide support in conduction and facilitation of regular meetings related to vaccination campaign at province, district and municipality levels (Immunization Coordination Committees etc).
• Support in monitoring through development of monitoring plan with prioritization of high-risk areas.
• Provide support in preparation and conduction of joint monitoring with provincial, district and municipality officials and partner agencies for monitoring in high risk/priority districts and municipalities.
• Facilitate local communication media (Radio/FM/social media) for dissemination of information on MR and HPV campaign
• Conduct local media monitoring to identify any misinformation/rumours regarding vaccine and vaccination campaigns.
• Provide technical support to achieve high and equitable coverage in immunization campaign with high quality and safety.

2. Monitor and analyze data and reasons for low coverages, identify gaps, challenges, and bottle necks to achieve high coverage in high risk and low performing districts.

• Provide support in training, deployment, and monitoring of independent monitors for Rapid Convenience Monitoring (RCM) during vaccination campaign.
• Provide support in collecting, analysis and reporting and monitoring of vaccination coverage.
• Provide support in collecting, analysis and reporting and monitoring of un and under-immunized children vaccinated during the MR campaign.
• Provide necessary feedback at district and municipality level for improvement in data quality and reporting

3. Liaison and Coordination

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with Provincial Health Directorate (PHD), Health Office and Municipality Level as well as with other authorities and stakeholders (UNICEF, Water-Aid, Red-Cross, Lions Club International etc) to support the MR campaign.
• Work closely with SMOs at Field Offices and WHO-IPD Central Office for smooth implementation of MR and HPV campaign and demonstrate teamwork producing results.
• Coordination with District Education Office and Municipality Education Section and other sectors as required for smooth implementation of School-based vaccination strategy and policy.

4. Submit periodic activity report and detailed achievement report and final report on end of assignment.

5. Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisors as per needs of the IPD programme. This includes duty travel or duty-station reassignment on short notice as per the program requirements.

Qualification:

Education:

Essential: Post graduate qualification in any of the following disciplines or allied disciplines: Public Health / Epidemiology / Community Medicine / Global or International Health.

Desirable: Medical graduate from an institution recognized by Nepal Medical Council with valid registration in the Nepal Medical Council.

Experience:

Essential: At least two years’ experience in public health programs, preferably in Immunization and/or Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) Surveillance.

Desirable:

• Experience of working with international, national, or sub-national immunization programs and/or vaccine preventable disease surveillance program.
• Prior experience of working with WHO/UN agencies.
• Prior experience of working in the government public health system
• Prior experience of working with NGO and/or INGO sector agencies.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Good interpersonal skills, able to work as a team member in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to travel within the country and to perform practical hands-on field work.
• Ability to participate actively and cooperatively in knowledge sharing and policy forums at various levels and to coordinate with the GoN agencies.
• Good knowledge in vaccine, immunization, and surveillance sector.
• Very good analytical skills including ability to collect and analyse technical data and information and to draw and present conclusions in written and spoken form.
• Very good writing skills in English, including ability to write clear and concise progress reports, analytical reports, plans and proposals.
• Ability to write program and technical guidelines, training materials and IEC materials.

Other Skills (eg IT):

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office: word processors, spreadsheets and other data processing, presentation programmes, Outlook and Internet and email is essential.
• Proficiency in Statistical / Epidemiological Analysis software desired.
• Able to follow instruction and work independently would be an asset.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Ensuring the effective use of resources

  Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Nepali

REMUNERATION:

Monthly Salary: (Net of tax) NPR 196,102.00 at single rate (taxable as per Nepal Government laws and appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA))

Grade: SSA Level 8

Duty Station: Any of the WHO-IPD Field Offices (across Nepal)

Additional information

• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and interviews will be used as a form of screening
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.