Advisor, Immunization at World Health Organization

Description Of Duties

Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the technical guidance of the Unit Chief, Comprehensive Family Immunization (FPL/IM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties towards Reinvigorating Immunization as a Public Good for Universal Health:

• Provide technical advice and support in programming and evaluating national plans and strategies for national immunization programs, with respect to:
  • immunization strategies;
  • cold chain and safety equipment and procedures;
  • delivery of vaccines and related supplies;
  • training of personnel in all aspects of program implementation;
  • systems for reporting immunizations administered and integration into general reporting systems of mother and child health;
  • the organization of epidemiological surveillance systems to detect, investigate, and control cases of paralytic poliomyelitis and other vaccine‑preventable diseases in the assigned countries;
  • intra and extra‑sectoral coordination, coordination at institutional and within the United Nations (UN) system, as well as regional level;
  • mobilization of resources from national, and international sources;
  • social mobilization for immunization programs.
• Advise and promote sound immunization practices with a focused primary health care approach in close coordination with all related national programs in the countries;
• Promote and follow-up to the implementation of the Plan of Action of the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) or equivalent;
• Develop and update national plans for comprehensive immunizations programs, including the planning of objectives, strategies and operational methodologies, as well as budgeting, and linkages to the Revolving Fund mechanism for the procurement of vaccines within the context of the primary health care systems, at regional and national levels;
• Prepare and coordinate training programs regarding the operational and administrative aspects of immunization programs, surveillance activities for vaccine-preventable diseases and diagnostic tests for the laboratory networks providing support to surveillance;
• Provide technical advice to the national immunization program in all aspects of program evaluation, including the development of methodologies for process and impact evaluation;
• Develop and promote research programs related to different operational and epidemiological components of immunization programs and related activities at the country level;
• Provide technical support to other national institutions, technical or operational officials attached to the program in assigned countries for the development of national immunization programs in the Region;
• Pro-actively develop and strength partnerships with key associates like Unicef, Gavi, and national and international NGOs working on immunization;
• Advise and coordinate with national and international organizations in making optimal use of technical, administrative and economic resources available in the Region for the achievement of the overall goals of the IM Program and, in particular, the maintenance of polio-free status and the eradication of measles in the Americas;
• Mobilize voluntary contributions through the elaboration and implementation of projects to fill financial gaps in the immunization program and collaborate with other Units to achieve effective coordination of program activities and appropriate utilization and mobilization of resources;
• Collaborate in the preparation of biennial programs and budgets, semiannual work plans and periodic evaluations for assigned projects; participate in the annual evaluation of the Unit;
• Collaborate in the introduction of high-cost vaccines and new vaccines, including against rotavirus, pneumococcus, influenza; HPV and COVID-19;
• Establish and maintain strong technical communication with the Immunization Unit to facilitate a timely and effective assistance and follow-up to the country goals and needs;
• When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Education

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Essential: 

• A bachelor’s degree in a health-related profession and a master's degree in epidemiology, public health or in any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.
• 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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience

Essential: 

• Nine years of combined national and international experience in disease control programs, with emphasis on the design, implementation and evaluation of immunization programs.
• Experience should include participation in technical cooperation programs and activities in disease control or in immunization programs in a health-related program or institution.