Zonal Polio Surveillance Coordinator at World Health Organization (WHO)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

In alignment with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s priorities outlined in the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the NPHCDA cVPV2 blueprint, and with the Country Cooperative Strategy, WHO Nigeria is committing to supporting efforts to quickly address and halt the current upsurge in cases of circulation Vaccine Derived Polio Viruses type 2. Additionally, these efforts will enhance routine immunization, strengthen PHC, and mitigate the impacts of other health emergencies. These initiatives have improved the quality of PEI activities and reduced poliovirus transmission in Nigeria. Key strategies and activities for Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization are detailed in the annual National Polio Eradication Emergency Plan and the multi-year Strategic Framework for strengthening Routine Immunization.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the PEP Cluster Lead, and National Surveillance Officer, the incumbent performs the following functions:

• Support the States SOs in the zone in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of surveillance workplan;
• Support the states in the zone in detailed investigation, active case search and response to any Polio events and other VPDs in the zone;
• Facilitate the implementation of the general concepts of IDSR strategy and support communicable disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and public health response systems in the zone;
• In close collaboration with the Zonal Coordination, support the states in coordinating and managing surveillance technical activities and programs; 
• Facilitate the conduct of other AFP complementary surveillance such as Environmental surveillance, PID surveillance and New Vaccine Sentinel surveillance;
• Support the states in the Zone to strengthen capacities of state surveillance teams for effective and sustained surveillance of VPDs and other EPID prove diseases through training and other capacity building approaches;
• Undertake regular supportive supervision to access and evaluate the implementation of surveillance activities in the states, identify gaps, jointly develop surveillance improvement plan, and monitor implementation;
• Support the states in the zone the efforts at strengthening the functionality of the surveillance network (e.g. Focal sites, Community based surveillance network and Surveillance Working Group in the states and LGAs) and monitor effectiveness of the system; 
• Conduct, in collaboration with other team members, real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data, from a broad range of sources including non-health sectors, for epidemic forecasting and detection;
• Facilitate regular analysis of Polio Surveillance Information for rapid detection of outbreaks and in consultation with the Zonal Coordinator, disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical information and knowledge; 
• Provide oversight functions to timely transportation of samples with right documentation and handling to laboratory and ensure quarterly analysis of laboratory surveillance data.  
• Support the development of the WHO Situation Reports, other related regular and ad-hoc surveillance reports in the Zone and share with the WCO NSO;
• Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: First level university degree in Medicine and Public health/ epidemiology .
• Desirable: Advanced university degree in quantitative epidemiology or health related field. Specialized training in communicable diseases.

Experience

• Essential: At least 5 years' related experience in surveillance, outbreak investigation and response .
• Desirable: Prior working experience in Polio programme in Nigeria with WHO, other UN agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international non-governmental organization.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of surveillance and monitoring systems as related to Polio emergencies, complemented by skills in the field of epidemiological or statistical data collection, assessment, analysis and the evaluation and monitoring in a public health context.
• Proven ability to multitask across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency, and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response with particular attention to application of an all-hazard approach and the use of event based and indicator-based surveillance, as well as descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response.