Technical Officer (Vaccine Pillar)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

For this UNV Assignment, only female candidates from the African continent are eligible to apply as the assignment is part of African Women Health Champions Initiative, Regional Director's flagship initiative to diversify WHO workforce in terms of gender, age, geographical representation and language.

WHO COVID-19 Vaccine Pillar has been granted from ECHO Multi-country Grant Agreement to “Support to the rollout of COVID-19 national vaccination campaigns in Africa and reinforcement of national health systems’ resilience to epidemics”. This ECHO funding will enable WHO to provide targeted operational and technical support in the vaccine roll-out for the 15 selected Countries in AFRO and EMRO. The main purpose of this grant is to ensure adequate capacity of health workers at national and sub-national levels to coordinate, plan, safely deploy, implement, monitor and document the results of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, and to adequately investigate and report any Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) in relation to COVID-19 vaccines.

The UN Specialist Volunteers will support the coordination of the program implementation

Under the direct supervision of Technical Officer (COVID-19 Vaccine Introduction), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support the designing of adequate capacity building at the selected countries level in order to provide COVID-19 vaccination effectively and safely, reaching the targeted communities • Tracking perodic reports and information to be colected (Tools, frameworks for local capacity building for monitoring the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, management of infodemics, on sensitisation sessions and messaging campaigns delivered)

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take own-ership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confi-dentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work envi-ronment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priori-ties and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Public health, epidemiology, Health program Management/Coordination

Knowledge of epidemic surveillance or public health crisis at the national and international levels, Extensive writing and communications experience

The Republic of Congo is a low-middle income country, located in Central Africa sub-region.

The country shares boundaries with Gabon in the South-West, Cameroon and Central Republic Africa in the North and North East, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the East, Angola and Atlantic Ocean in the South.

Since 2014, the Republic of Congo is experiencing an economic downturn, affecting the economic growth (-5 per cent in 2017). Because of the persistent drop in the price of oil, this situation drove to the decline of the gross domestic product per capita, from $3,196 in 2013 to $1,658 in 2017. Nevertheless, the country is globally stable and safe in the main urban and rural areas.

Frequent disruptions are recorded in the electricity supply, particularly in Brazzaville (political capital) and Pointe-Noire (economic capital). The living cost is relatively affordable, but some concerns with the cost of decent housing should be noted. The population enjoys dressing in style and loves music both profane and religious.

According to United Nations security standards, life and travel in Brazzaville and in the other areas major are secure.

The Republic of Congo is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.