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Maseru (Lesotho)

Mid Senior

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Contract

This is a NO-C 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-C contracts.

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Details

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Theprogrammeaims to ensure that every child and other high-risk population groups are fully immunized with high-quality and effective vaccines against targeted diseases in line with recommended immunization strategies. It alsoseeksto ensure that vaccine-preventable disease surveillance performance indicators are achieved at both national and district levels. In addition, theprogrammeprovides technical assistance to the Government to strengthen capacity for routine immunization and disease surveillance, promote equitable access to safe immunization services, support the introduction of new and cost-effective vaccines, and sustain efforts toward maintaining a polio-free status and achieving measles elimination

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision Disease Prevention and Control Team Lead of the incumbent will be expected to perform all or some of the following duties/tasks:-Work in coordination with all technical focal points at regional and headquarters levels, under direct supervision of the WCO/DPC team leader and overall guidance of the head of the WHO country office.Provide technical guidance for coordination and planning of Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) planning to reduce vulnerability Plan and prioritize allocation of resources based on thorough understanding of national and regional priorities.Support Ministry of Health and the EPI programme to plan and implement evidence-informed decisions to reduce under immunizations and zero-dose children, including in hard-to-reach areas of the country.Support MOH and collaborate with partners to strengthen polio surveillance and response to any polio/VPDs outbreaks. Provide advice to national public health authorities and manage the epidemiological work of the country office that underpins policy formulation. Support to relevant teams on building core capacities for surveillance, early detection, verification and rapid response to VPD epidemics and other public health events of international concern, as required in the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. Ensure that the WHO Country Office has access to all relevant existing country-specific health-related data on immunization and VPDs. This includes national and subnational datasets, such as demographics of populations affected by specific diseases (relevant age, gender, etc.) and time trends. Analyze such data sets, and as a national of the country, provide additional insights on the country's health context and epidemiological situation. Coordinate and support capacity building in immunization and VPDs. Encourage collaboration and develop advocacy initiatives and project proposals for joint action and resource mobilization to augment national, operational responses. Act as the main liaison between government and WHO (all levels) on VPD and immunization.Perform any other duties as might be assigned by the supervisors

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine, nursing, midwifery, public health, sciences, international development or a related discipline Desirable: Postgraduate degree in epidemiology, public heath ,nursing and midwifery will be an added advantage.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of relevant experience in public health at national or sub-national levels in low- and middle-income countries, out of which at least four years in disease eradication, immunization, child health services, or infectious disease control. Desirable: Significant experience with vaccine preventable diseases, polio eradication programmes and in the management of public health programmes involving immunization. Working experience with international organizations and/or non-governmental organizations would be an added advantage

Skills

Ability to plan, coordinate, and implement routine immunization services, vaccination campaigns, and outreach activities to achieve high vaccine coverage. Ability to collect, analyze, and report immunization data to monitor coverage, identify gaps, and support evidence-based decision-making. Ability to supervise, mentor, and train health workers and vaccinators to strengthen the quality of immunization services. Ability to collaborate with government authorities, health facilities, partners, and community stakeholders to strengthen immunization programmes. Ability to demonstrate strong leadership, communication, planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to use standard office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to prepare reports, data summaries, and presentations.Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while exercising sound judgment.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment Creating an empowering and motivating environment### Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Beginners knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at LSL 737,382 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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 eManual.
The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.
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.
Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
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.
For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
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.
Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
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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