Immunization Specialist

Contract

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

..

Purpose of the consultancy

The WHO Country Liaison Office, Federated States of Micronesia is seeking technical assistance to support the National Immunization Programme (NIP) of the Department of Health of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Marshal Islands and the Ministry of Health of Republic of Palau with the following objectives:

• To provide support in developing/updating immunization-related strategies/guidance/SOPs;
• To strengthen the immunization system and improve vaccination coverage including reducing inequities of vaccination coverage with a special focus on reaching the unreached target groups; and
• To strengthen the VPD surveillance systems including improving the detection and reporting of VPDs cases.

Background

WHO Country Liaison Office for Northern Micronesia is providing technical assistance to the national and state governments of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of Marshal Islands and Republic of Palau in vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and immunization programme. There have been remarkable achievements in VPDs and immunization programmes in these countries in the past two decades. The countries have remained polio-free since 2000, achieved maternal and neonatal elimination and managed measles outbreaks during global, regional and sub-regional widespread outbreaks in 2018-2019.

The routine immunization system remains the backbone and main element of the primary health care programme in these countries. The system and programme have been showing improvement and vaccination coverages are also increasing. Widespread measles outbreaks in the Pacific in 2019 and the protracted COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 onward seriously impacted routine immunization and the VPD surveillance system and programme in the countries. As per 2022 data, vaccination coverage is varied by antigens in these three countries, and MCV1 and MCV2 coverage is low, particularly in the two countries. Therefore, there is a need to implement activities to strengthen the system including reaching the unreached toward increasing coverage.

VPD surveillance is critical and allows sensitive and timely detection, reporting, investigation, and response to VPDs. The country has established Syndromic Surveillance System and Acute Fever and Rash (suspected measles/rubella cases) are part of the reporting system. The detection, reporting, investigation and management of VPDs varied by disease in these countries, however, earlier the countries responded timely to VPD outbreaks through adequate investigation, management and immunization activities to close the immunity gaps. Therefore, there is a need for comprehensive efforts for system strengthening including capacity-building activities to improve the detection, reporting and investigation of VPD cases.

In regard to the above, the WHO is planning to provide strategic and technical support to the National Immunization Programmes (NIPs) and Ministries of these three countries to strengthen routine immunization and VPD surveillance systems and programmes. To provide the above-mentioned technical support, there is a need to recruit a highly experienced immunization specialist for the duration of at least six months.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 1 July 2023

End date: 31 December 2023

Work to be performed

A consultant will be working first two weeks remotely and then will be working in Pohnpei of Federated State of Micronesia, and work under the overall guidance of the Country Liaison Officer. She/he will be working in collaboration with the NIPs, surveillance units and health Ministries of Micronesia, Marshal Islands and Palau for planning, preparing, implementing and monitoring of mentioned activities including frequent visits to countries and sub-national levels.

Output 1:

Improved COVID-19 vaccination coverage for all eligible groups including reaching the unreached and vulnerable populations and integration of COVID-19 platforms into routine immunization and health system.

Deliverables:

• Plan, prepare, and implement COVID-19 vaccination service activities including reaching the unreached and vulnerable populations;
• Regular monitoring of coverage in Micronesia; and
• Support in integration of COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination services platform into routine immunization and health system.

Output 2:

• Strengthened routine immunization system and programme toward reaching the unreached and increasing vaccination coverage for all the vaccines of national schedule and COVID-19 vaccine in these three countries.

Deliverables:

• Support in developing/updating strategic/guidance documents for the immunization programme;
• Plan, prepare, and implement identified targeted immunization activities including building human resource capacity in Micronesia and Marshal Islands;
• Data management and ensuring timely reporting of coverage data;
• Facilitate to develop and implement communication activities; and
• Regularly monitor immunization activities.

Output 3:

• Strengthened VPDs surveillance system including its quality and increased detection, management and reporting of VPDs cases.

Deliverables:

• Support to develop/update VPD surveillance guidance document in Micronesia and Marshal Islands; and
• Support and facilitate VPD surveillance activities including training toward improving detection and reporting in Micronesia and Marshal Islands and responding to outbreaks.

Output 4:

• Prepare and submit the mission report.

Deliverables:

• Prepare the mission report with overview of the immunization activities and thorough analyses and recommendations and submit it to WHO Country Liaison Office (by the end of mission).

Specific requirements

EDUCATION

Essential: Postgraduate degree in public health, medicine, from a recognized university or its equivalent.

Desirable: Training in EPI.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience and/or experience in the field of immunization programmes at the country level is essential.

Desirable: Working experiences in WHO or UNICEF country office.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Sound knowledge in the planning, preparation, implementation and monitoring of various activities in immunization and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance programme. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. Motivated, highly organized, critical thinker with strong analytical skills.

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

COMPETENCIES

1. Producing results.
2. Fostering integration and teamwork.
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way
4. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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 is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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 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.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.