State Technical Officer, Measles SIA, MenA and Yellow Fever at World Health Organization (WHO)

Job Number: 1901424
Location: Katsina  
Grade: NO-A
Schedule: Full-time 
Contract duration: 6 months
Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)

Purpose of the Position

• WHO Nigeria is providing support to the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), to conduct high impact immunization activities. These include the introduction of Measles Second Dose (MSD) and Meningitis A vaccine in routine immunization, Supplementary immunization in Yellow Fever, Meningitis A and Measles. These are in line with achieving the objectives set out in the Nigeria Strategy on Immunization and Primary Health Care Systems Strengthening (NSIPSS) and subsidiary strategies including the Elimination of Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy and the Measles Elimination Strategic Plan.
• The State Technical Officer shall work harmoniously with the state team and provide technical support in ensuring (1) Measles and MenA Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) planned in 2019 reach at least 95% for varying targeted age groups and, (2) Yellow Fever reach at least 90% administrative coverage (80% Post campaign coverage survey) amongst persons aged 9 months to 44 years.

Description of Duties

• Under the overall technical guidance of the EPI Team Leader, the WHO Country Office (WCO) unit heads, the State Technical Officer will work under the day-to-day supervision of the WHO State Coordinator and the oversight of the Zonal Coordinator, and will perform the following functions:
• Support coordination of activities at state level and ensure all key stakeholders are brought on board timely.
• Assist the state to develop quality work-plans and monitor timely implementation of planned activities.
• Assist the state in the development of quality micro-plans, validation of micro-plans to ensure plans address all needs required for a quality campaign as logistics, personnel and waste management plans are in line with specified guidelines.
• Assist the state in conducting resource mobilization sensitization and advocacy to bridge funding gaps for the campaign.
• Ensure that the state commitment to the campaign is met timely
• Support estimation of Cold Chain space at LGA cold stores and ensure identified gaps are filled prior to the commencement of the campaign.
• Support the development of waste management plan including its implementation as per requirements
• Support the development of training plans and assist in the Facilitation of State and LGA level trainings for the 2019 Measles, Yellow Fever and MenA activities
• Support the management of AEFI– Reporting, investigating, composition of AEFI Committees at the state and LGA level and their Responsibilities. Management of Negative Rumours against Vaccination / Immunization, etc.
• Conduct pre-implementation assessment of LGAs prior to commencement of the campaign with a standardized checklist approved by the national
• Participate in all conference calls with the State for the campaign readiness
• Support vaccine accountability in LGAs/State.
• Monitor progress of pre, intra and post campaign activities and report to WCO.
• Participate in the conduct of Rapid Convenience Monitoring Process during implementation
• Submission of programme report.
• Submit weekly updates/dashboard to the WCO and the NMYTCC committee

Required Qualifications
Education:

• Essential: University degree, preferably in one of the following:  Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health.
• Desirable: Post-graduate degree in Public Health, preferably in Epidemiology or other related public health fields.

Experience:

• Essential: At least 1 year experience in EPI activities in similar roles in an organization concerned with public health management.
• Desirable: Prior working experience with international nongovernmental organization (INGOs), WHO/UN, health clusters partners, recognized humanitarian organizations.

Use of Language Skills:

• Essential: Advanced level spoken and written English.
• Desirable: Understanding local languages