Medical Officer, Routine Immunization at World Health Organization

Description Of Duties
The incumbent contributes to the following:

• Provide guidance and technical support to countries for the development and implementation of harmonized, costed multi-year plans and protocols for routine immunization, including:
• Developing and updating existing guidelines and standard procedures for implementation and monitoring at the regional, sub-regional and national levels;
• Cooperating closely with the regional and national public health networks, to ensure forecasting and maintenance of vaccine stockpiles, particularly in case of emergency;
• Promote a health systems / primary health care approach, and specifically encourage integration and close collaboration at the regional, sub-regional and country levels with the other programs within the different clusters of WHO at regional and country levels;
• Serve as focal point for planning, implementation and strengthening of routine immunization programmes, in close cooperation with, and support of, other team members particularly those responsible for Yellow Fever, measles and meningitis control:
• Promote joint planning and monitoring of progress along with the teams responsible for vaccine preventable diseases surveillance and laboratory networks
• Develop, update and evaluate interventions and strategies;
• Identify programmatic research needs, and promote research to improve routine immunization strategies;
• Document and disseminate best practices related to immunisation systems
• Lead and coordinate the development and updating of norms and standards related to routine immunization:
• Provide expertise and develop/revise guidelines;
• Proactively facilitate the implementation of norms and standards to facilitate M&E;
• Develop and implement capacity building for routine immunization through the identification and implementation of operational policies to expand strategies;
• Provide technical expertise and advice to Member States and partners, as well as regional and sub-regional laboratory networks;
• Encourage close collaboration at the regional, sub-regional and country levels, including:
• Promoting information-sharing through video-conferencing, informal consultations and, as required, interregional meetings; ensuring regular reporting on the situation of routine immunization in Africa;
• Preparing annual progress reports;
• Developing/collaborating on the development and maintenance of up-to-date regional and national databases for routine immunization as part of the development on new/improved tools and strategies;
• Within the delegated authority, work in partnership to:
• Contribute expertise and technical information consistent with the needs of routine immunization with particular attention to critically reviewing existing and new guidelines as regard to vaccines stockpiling handling and processing;
• Support Member States in the assessment of routine, immunization-financing requirements and the identification of strategies to fulfil these requirements, as part of reporting on epidemiological, financial and programmatic activities;
• Collaborate in resources’ mobilization and advocacy activities in support of the implementation of WHO/AFRO and global resolutions pertaining to Routine Immunization and PHC at the regional and country levels;
• Lead/contribute to the development of work-plans and budgetary proposals as required within the framework of WHO staff Rules and Regulations; financial rules and AFRO accepted procedures
• Strengthen partnership, collaboration with all stakeholders and alliances to harmonize and streamline country support for the management of Routine Immunization and PHC at all levels;
• Facilitate the back-up of Inter Country Support Teams (ISTs), to provide highly specialized technical assistance to Member States relating to Routine Immunization and PHC;
• Collaborate with other programmes to promote and support the adoption of innovations, particularly in the optimization of diagnostics, medicines, other health commodities, and service delivery models and the transition to digital health;
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

Required Qualifications
Education

• Essential: Master’s degree in public health or health policy.
• Desirable: Post-graduate training in epidemiology, vaccinology, immunology, infectious or communicable diseases

Experience
Essential:

• A minimum of 7 years of national and international management of routine immunization, vaccines logistics management and related activities.
• Experience in project management, analysis and the development of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

Desirable

• Work experiences that are diverse, incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN, or governmental Health related agencies
• Experience in policy formulation and strategic planning
• Experience in resources mobilization and partnership coordination

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of routine immunization programmes, vaccine preventable diseases and global health;
• Proven ability to think independently and strategically, plan, coordinate and implement routine immunization activities, including norms and standards for vaccines stockpiles and related capacity building;
• Proven ability to monitor and report on results, progress, lessons learnt and obstacles;
• Proven understanding of immunization systems as related to the control of preventable diseases including case-based surveillance, Integrated Disease surveillance (IDSR) and International Health Regulations (IHR) as well how to achieve universal Health coverage (UHC);
• Demonstrated ability to strengthening partnerships and in mobilizing resources.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Creating a motivating and empowering environment
• Ensuring the effective use of resources.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Excellent knowledge of English or French.
• Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN official languages

Other Skills

• Proven ability to use standard office software packages, Conversant with common IT software including eHealth tools.