National Professional Officer

Contract

This is a NO-B contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 2,558 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Programmes (CHP) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases and address the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, and promotes policies and actions for health through stewardship of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. It focuses on health promotion measures; prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, and risks related to tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and the harmful use of alcohol; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases; elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and advocacy for increased use of vaccines; containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance; addressing existing and emerging environmental health risks, and supporting violence and injury prevention. A determination to ensure universal access to people-centred quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural and behavioural approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional and local levels.

Within CHP, the Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization Programme (VIF) aims to reduce disease and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases by:

•strengthening routine immunization programmes by achieving and maintaining high vaccination coverage with childhood vaccines;

•ensuring that all children, adolescents, adults, and women of childbearing age have equal access to safe and high-quality immunization services;

•ensuring that epidemiological surveillance, including laboratory networks, is sufficient to achieve and sustain disease elimination targets;

•supporting the implementation of an immunization week to promote immunization; and

•fostering appropriate partnerships with governmental and intergovernmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations and other relevant partners.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In the context of the implementation of the European Immunization Agenda 2030 at the country level, the incumbent will provide technical assistance towards achieving vaccine-preventable diseases control, elimination and eradication goals and targets by supporting the national efforts to strengthen vaccine-preventable diseases surveillance and immunization service delivery linked to vaccines in the national immunization schedule. The technical assistance is provided within the framework of Central Asia COVID-19 Crisis Response (CA-CCR) project - Phase 2.

Under the technical supervision of the Technical Officer (Immunization) in the WHO Country Office and overall supervision of the WHO Representative in WHO Country Office, the incumbent will:

•Provide technical support to Ministry of Health and/or relevant ministries and governmental agencies to support integration of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination into broader health system mechanisms and including strengthening of routine immunization system;

•Disseminate and facilitate implementation of SAGE and ETAGE recommendations on vaccines and vaccination;

•Provide technical support to implement preparedness, readiness and monitoring activities of critical immunization programmatic areas of routine immunization including strengthening polio, measles, rubella and other vaccine-preventable diseases surveillance, addressing immunization inequity to achieve high and equitable vaccination coverage and facilitate new vaccine introductions;

•Provide technical support to implement the national vaccination strategies to strengthen immunization systems including (and not limited to) vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, evidence-informed decision making and strengthen service delivery modalities, vaccine safety monitoring, vaccine demand and acceptance, immunization information system and monitoring;

•Conduct field visits, collect and analyze data, undertake periodic programme reviews;

•Support to development of and/or prepare progress reports as requested by regional and global structures;

•Oversee and coordinate the development, planning and implementation of short-term and long-term plans of National Immunization Programme to operationalize the national and regional immunization programme goals and targets;

•Facilitate and coordinate regional staff and high-level immunization partner missions as appropriate;

•Undertake any other duties which may be assigned according to the needs of the WHO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, nursing, health management or relevant social/public health areas. Desirable: Advanced University degree (Master's level or above) in public health or epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years' experience in planning and management of public health or immunization programmes; Experience in developing national policy and planning documents in the area of public health, immunization and/or emergency response. Desirable: Work experience with WHO or another international public health organization.

Skills

Knowledge of WHO guidance and policies in the area of immunization, emergency response and/or COVID-19 response;

Strong analytical skills and ability to review and synthesize information from multiple sources;

Excellent communication, facilitation and report-writing skills;

Strong interpersonal skills, able to work across cultures and with the capacity to build strong working relationships;

Knowledge of Office software applications.

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. Expert knowledge of Russian & Kyrgyz languages. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French or German.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 30,699 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

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

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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