Technical Officer (Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme)

Overview

Support the implementation of the Malaria Vaccine Programme

You have:

• First university degree in pharmacy or biological science or related field from a recognized university.
• Post-graduate training in public health, immunology, vaccinology, biochemistry, or microbiology is desirable.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in public health with demonstrated experience working in the regulatory field, clinical trials, and product development.
• Experience in the implementation and management of collaborative projects at national and international levels is essential.
• Expert knowledge of English is essential, whereas intermediate knowledge of French and Portuguese is desirable.

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 108,465 USD and 142,026 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 Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage / Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control. This approach is underpinned by the guiding principles of comprehensive whole of society, people-centered, integrated approaches to disease control. The comprehensive whole of society approaches to disease control involves: (a) coherent implementation of triple response - technical response: implementing diseases specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response: building capacities of district service delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; and multi-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders; (b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and (c) community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards. The people centered, integrated approaches to disease control involves: (a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b) integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics to guide stratification of disease risks across population groups to develop and deploy comprehensive packages of interventions appropriate to each targeted population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind. The specific objectives of the UCN cluster to which the VPD programme contributes, are to: (i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization; (ii) contribute to the development of WHO disease control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations; (iii) support generation and use of strategic information for action and decision making including optimizing investment; and (iv) provide or facilitate provision of technical support in deployment of WHO technical products and services and institutional capacity building, including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the VPD team leader, the specific duties of the incumbent are to: Support the NRAs in safety monitoring of RTS,S Malaria vaccine and strengthening pharmacovigilance system in countries which introduced the Malaria Implementation Programme Support to the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme with summary of safety data collected from countries, regulatory approvals including registration of the RTS,S vaccine, report to the DSMB and implementation of recommendations Lead the development and implementation of the WHO regional vaccine regulatory frameworks and strategies. Monitor the implementation of countries' institutional development plans and AVAREF recommendations for the oversight of clinical trials and emergency use authorization of vaccines in collaboration with National Regulatory Authorities and Ethics Committees Support the regulatory & safety monitoring team and AVAREF Secretariat in: Track the timelines of AVAREF joint reviews of clinical trial applications and closely follow-up with member states regarding their status of emergency joint reviews for new vaccines and medicines Coordinate and prepare AVAREF statutory bodies meetings (Assembly, Steering Committee and Technical Coordinating Committee)Draft meeting notes and reports and share with members of AVAREF Support AVAREF network to develop guidelines and regulatory tools and to implement the workplan and activities. Provide technical support to the planning and facilitate in the convening of the meetings of AVAREF governing bodies and Working Groups. Provide technical support to National Regulatory Authorities and Ethics Committees to implement activities for regulatory system strengthening, particularly for clinical trial oversight function, emergency use authorization and registration of products for public health emergencies. Support the AVAREF Secretariat to develop and implement strategies and regulatory pathways to expedite the registration of RTSS Malaria vaccine through AVAREF Joint Review procedure Support the AVAREF Secretariat to organize the AVAREF Regulators Forums, technical workshops, webinars, and virtual trainings when necessary and to provide technical support to countries on clinical trial regulation and vaccine safety Facilitate and support the convening of joint and assisted review meetings for clinical trial applications for ECs and NRAs. Performs other duties assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree in pharmacy or Biological Science, or related field from a recognized university. Desirable: Post-graduate training in public health, immunology, vaccinology, Biochemistry or microbiology. Advanced degree in Pharmaceutical, Biomedical sciences, or related fields.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience in public health with demonstrated experience working in the regulatory field, clinical trials and product development of 5 years inclusive at the international level in low and/or middle-income countries. Experience in the implementation and management of collaborative projects at national and international/regional levels. Desirable: International experience with WHO in Africa and developing countries would be an asset. A track record of research, with publications in peer reviewed journals, would be an asset.

Skills

Expertise in the regulation of medical products and good understanding of WHO's policies and strategies in this area. Good knowledge of product development, production and evaluation. Knowledge of biologicals and vaccines Excellent writing skills and publication track record, communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner Ability to establish and maintain results-oriented productive relationships with key actors, monitoring activities, ensuring product delivery and reporting. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural background.

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. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese. The above language requirements are interchangeable.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 64,121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2768 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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 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 Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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.

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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• 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].

• 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.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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