Technical Officer (Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization)

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 137,911 USD and 177,807 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

To achieve in a manner that is both timely and high-impact, the control of communicable diseases throughout the region, through the delivery of programme and technical support that target the reduction of the morbidity and mortality of such diseases. The programme will respond to the needs of the region through ground level surveillance, monitoring and evaluation; consistent efforts to provide access to the highest levels of prevention, treatment and care; and a comprehensive approach to advocacy, communication and involvement that results in the committed partnership of all stakeholders.

Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization (VDI)

To establish and leverage the impact of an effective prevention and control programme that targets the reduction of morbidity and mortality resulting from diseases, through a comprehensive approach to immunization, that is made timely and responsive through ground level surveillance and the promotion of related health interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1.Develops appropriate epidemiological studies/data-based systems/modeling for VDI programmes with specific focus on disease eradication and elimination; assists in development of sustainable disease surveillance systems and provides epidemiological interpretation and analysis of data.

2. Provides strategic direction and coordination of the collection, analysis and distribution at Regional (or sub-Regional) level, country level and district level immunization-related data, as reported by Member States:

1. Conducts VDI epidemiological analysis/studies/research in support of overall VDI project goals;

2. Sets up and maintains a data reporting and analysis system at Regional (or sub-Regional) level, for surveillance and monitoring data related to immunization programmes (including district level, where applicable):

3. Analyzes data and provides feedback on coverage and monitoring performance to countries on a regular (minimum quarterly) basis;

4. Provides technical assistance to countries related to data collection, reporting, data analysis, and feedback; assists with the standardization and use of immunization-related indicators;
5. Ensures that countries have appropriate materials and methods to ensure effective and efficient monitoring, in particular, maintain a library of district level maps and promote their use at the appropriate level for planning and monitoring;

6. Coordinates with WHO HQ and UNICEF HQ and Regional Officer on data sharing using standard data exchange formats (DEF), as specified by the appropriate level;

7. Improves the quality of data collection:

8. Coordinates regional workshops and trainings on data quality;

9. Supports Data Quality Self-Assessment (DQS) implementation and follow-up; follows up on Data Quality Audit (DQA) recommendations with the aim of improving reporting systems;

10. Improves integration between Health Management Information System (HMIS) and VDI data collection systems wherever possible, by providing technical assistance to countries that are seeking closer integration of their data for immunization services with their HMIS; and

11. Reviews Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) applications and progress reports and provides support to countries to improve the quality of these reports in preparation for submission to the GAVI secretariat.

3. Provides services and collaboration in data management, analysis and dissemination in support of the VDI programme in WPR countries/areas:

1. Collaborates on the organization and development of various disease-specific studies/information systems that support planning and management needs of VDI in accordance with WPRO information technology standards; and
2. Develops appropriate procedures for routine generation of VDI data needed for monitoring VDI activities and initiates procedures to utilize ad hoc sample surveys to obtain data when needed.

4. Provides technical support in the coordination of timely response to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks through the utilization of specific disease data and epidemiological pattern.

5. In conjunction with Information Technology Group (ITG), participates in all aspects of the preparation of data collection systems and analysis, including planning and designing database systems, drafting narrative, obtaining data, selecting materials, designing tabular and graphical formats, etc., such as for the common framework for monitoring/evaluating strategies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Postgraduate degree (master's or higher) in epidemiology or health related field. Desirable: Medical degree, computer science and statistics courses would be an asset.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of seven years' experience in administration of public health programmes. Desirable: Considerable practical experience in the development of information system related to VDI or communicable diseases, computer based database system, especially in the field of statistics and health information. Working experience in developing countries.

Skills

• Knowledge of epidemiology modeling and practical applications to disease control.
• Ability to manage information systems and to assess, plan, develop and implement disease specific/data-based programmes. Knowledge of epidemiology of communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of computer programmes, database computer programming and computer programming appropriate for support of epidemiological assessment. Experience with the development of computer-based disease-specific surveillance system is desirable.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Creating an empowering and motivating environment
5. Producing results
6. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Written and spoken fluency in English. Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN languages.

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 75,602 (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 3037 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 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.

• 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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 has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.