Medical Officer, Human papillomavirus vaccines focal person

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 (UHC/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

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Develop and update norms and standards related to HPV vaccines, while facilitating information-sharing, education, and communication, toward a good understanding of their benefits and acceptance by communities, health workers and families;
• Provide expertise and develop/revise guidelines for HPV Vaccination programmes and proactively facilitate their implementation to enable best M&E practices; Develop and implement capacity building for the identification of adverse events following immunization to align with global vaccine safety monitoring strategies;
• Support countries decision making by providing support to assess vaccine impact in close collaboration with other VPD technical areas (Surveillance and vaccine effectiveness, National immunization advisory mechanism, ...);
• Coordinate the provision of guidance and technical support to countries in: Determining and setting policies for the introduction of HPV vaccines and related technologies, including strengthening country capacity to assess the burden of HPV related cancers including cervical cancer; Developing and implementing harmonized protocols to facilitate policy decisions and organize regional training on new vaccine introduction; Supporting WCO in the submission of applications to GAVI to receive financial support (for GAVI eligible countries)Support planning, vaccine forecast, country readiness, assessment on logistics, training of immunization staff at all levels,
• Support advocacy, communication, development of key messages for social mobilization, launching of the vaccines and evaluation of the introductions;
• Development of partnerships with maternal, child and adolescent health departments (within WHO and other organizations) to tackle HPV diseases related especially cervical cancer; and in providing support to ESA countries for the integration of adolescent health interventions with HPV vaccination which target 9-14 year old girls within the broader landscape of cervical cancer elimination;
• Support the development of related work-plans and budgetary proposals as required within the framework of WHO staff Rules and Regulations; financial rules and AFRO accepted procedures;
• Provide leadership and manage the staff under his/her responsibility; ensure their performance, continuous development and engagement, promoting a culture of working across boundaries, and integrity in accordance with the Organization's policies, rules, procedures, and values;
• Support post-vaccine introduction evaluations (PIE) activities 6-12 months after the national launch in a country;
• Regularly tracking and reporting on progress on HPV vaccine introduction and vaccine coverage;
• Contribute to resource mobilization for the Cluster's programmes, in collaboration with EPG, ORD and WCOs;
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University Degree in a Health Sciences Field with post-graduate degree/training in public health, epidemiology or infectious or communicable diseases.
Desirable: Post-graduate training in Public Health preferably in epidemiology, vaccinology, immunology, other related public health fields.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 7 years of practical national and international experience in new vaccines introduction, vaccine logistics management, and related activities. Experience in working and collaboration with wide range of stakeholders. Experience in project management, analysis and development of capacity building tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

Desirable: Diverse work experience incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN, or governmental Health related agencies will be an advantage. Experience with HPV vaccine introduction is an added advantage.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of the introduction of new vaccines as well as HPV vaccination and broader cervical cancer landscape;
• Proven ability to think independently and strategically, plan, coordinate and implement strategies, activities, and capacity building together with monitoring and reporting on results, progress, lessons learnt and obstacles;
• Proven skills in the surveillance of adverse events complemented by track record in the development and implementation of norms and standards and effective reporting mechanisms and systems, and M&E;
• Demonstrated ability to strengthen partnerships and resource mobilization;
• Demonstrated knowledge on principles, practices, methods and techniques of immunization programs.
• Proven writing and communications skills.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French with an Intermediate knowledge of the other language.
Desirable: 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 77,326 (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 1959 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.

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• 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 shws@who.int.

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