Medical Officer - Supplementary Immunization Activities at World Health Organization (WHO)

Objectives of the Programme

• The objective of the EPI programme is to support national authorities reduce morbidity, disability and mortality due to vaccine preventable diseases through improving access and utilization of immunization services through strengthened district EPI programmes; accelerating efforts to achieve polio eradication, measles elimination, maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination, yellow fever control; promote innovations including introduction of new and under-utilized vaccines; improve vaccine safety and security and systematize access to immunization services integrated with other child survival interventions.

Description of Duties
The specific functions of the incumbent are:

• Under the overall guidance of the WHO Country Representative, direct supervision of EPI Team Leader, the incumbent coordinates all supplementary immunization activities with major focus on polio SIAs.
• The incumbent will provide technical support to counterparts and collaborate with partners based at national, zonal as well as state levels in Nigeria.
• He/She will work within the Field Support Unit and collaborate closely with WHO staff responsible for Monitoring and Evaluation, Immunization, surveillance, programme management and operations, as well as field staff.

Responsibilities
The specific functions to be performed by the incumbent include:

• Support national authorities in planning and monitoring of implementation of SIAs including periodic risk analysis to determine the scope and timing of SIAs.
• Support national authorities in priority states in preparing, reviewing and/or updating annual state SIA plans.
• Provide technical assistance to national authorities in priority states to adopt national immunization plans, strategies and best practices to state specific conditions.
• Support capacity building activities in support of SIA operations (service delivery, vaccine supply and quality and logistics), immunization safety and strengthening human and institutional resources
• Support capacity building efforts aimed at improving the quality of SIAs.
• Support SIA monitoring and evaluation activities
• Support efforts to strengthen partnership and advocacy as well as mobilize resources aimed at improving performance of immunization activities.
• Perform other activities as required by the WHO Representative

Required Qualifications
Education:

• Essential: Advanced university degree in Public Health from a recognized institution
• Desirable: Formal training in principles of epidemiology and/or health promotion

Verification of Educational Qualifications:

• "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 these will be reviewed individually".

Skills:

• Excellent proposal and report writing skills
• Skills in organizing and providing training programs for public health workers
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels
• Ability to provide leadership, monitor progress and design studies
• Skills in organizing and providing training programs for public health workers.

Other skills:

• Computer software program proficiency including MS Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Willing and able to travel extensively in Nigeria.

Generic
Competencies:

• Communicates in a credible and effective way;
• Produces results;
• Fosters integration and teamwork;
• Ensures the effective use of resources;
• Builds and promotes partnerships across the organization and beyond.

Experience:

• Essential: Minimum 7 years of international managerial experience in immunization.
• Desirable: Experience in immunization activities in the relevant geographical region.

Languages:

• Essential: Excellent knowledge of English
• Desirable: Knowledge of the other UN languages
  

Additional Information:

• WHO's salaries are calculated in US dollars.
• They consist of a base salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates.
• Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance