OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To reduce childhood morbidity and mortality attributable to vaccine preventable diseases and achieve polio eradication, measles and rubella elimination and other vaccine preventable disease elimination/control goals. This will be achieved though high, equitable coverage of routine and supplemental immunization activities for all people along the life-course and introduction of under utilized and new life saving vaccines, in accordance with the global and regional goals and commitment and Immunization Agenda 2030.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent willperform the following duties: Take lead in the provision of a strategic vision and technical advice to the country to strengthen routine immunization and improve coverage and equity including:Coordinate immunization and polio eradication donors and partners to support immunization and polio eradication in Somalia, including resource mobilization, timely utilization of funds and timely donor reporting.Strengthen national decision-making processes through the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG).Guide the development and updating of National Strategic Plan, Comprehensive multi-year plan (cMYP) for immunization, the annual national work plan and the National Emergency Action Plan for Polio.Manage and ensure the quality District micro plans for EPI and Polio eradication addressing bottle necks equity, quality and high coverage, leaving no one behind.Lead a strategy and action plan for monitoring, evaluation system, and data quality improvements at federal and state levels.2. Oversee planning and implementation of the vaccine preventable disease eradication, elimination and control activities to meet global, regional and national goals, including:Plan and implement single and multi-antigen integrated supplementary immunization activities according to national strategies (e.g. Polio, measles/rubella, MNTetc.).Maintain preparedness for early detection and response to outbreaks of polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases, and coordinate outbreak response with government and key stakeholders.Establish a system to monitor polio eradication and measles elimination indicators. Improve and sustain quality of acute flaccid paralysis and environmental surveillance for poliovirus as an essential function to achieve and maintain polio-free status.Implement Measles & Rubella case-based laboratory surveillance according to regional and national guidelines.Coordinate activities related to introduction of new vaccines, including applications to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, new vaccine introduction plans, and necessary training. Support national preparedness for use of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).3. Coordinate the development and implementation of polio transition plan, including facilitating dialogue with the national and state authorities for integration of acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system into broader systems that include reporting of vaccine preventable diseases (e.g. sentinel sites for priority diseases such as invasive bacterial diseases, Rotavirus disease, Congenital Rubella Syndrome) and in the long run, other communicable diseases (in collaboration with WHE coordinator).4. Collaborate with the WHE country team and other Incident Management Support Teams (IMST) for the investigation and response to outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. 5. Supervise and guide other Integrated Public Health staff at federal, state and district levels.6. Develop WHO biannual plan (Program Budget) for polio eradication and vaccine-preventablediseasesin coordination with the government authorities and WHO Regional Office PVD Department. 7. Contribute to the development, planning, and building capacity of human resources for health services delivery with the aim of increasing the quality of the health workforce through organizing, and/or facilitating training activities8. Contribute to the development of policies for inclusion of vulnerable groups and people living in hard-to-reach areas (in conflict and fragile settings) in order to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all.9. Guide and lead the development of new knowledge, best practices and lessons learned from COVID-19 vaccine deployment aiming to use this platform for establishing a life-course vaccination programme in the context of the 2030 Immunization Agenda.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine, or health sciences and Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or other related fields.
Desirable:

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of extensive and practical experience in immunization programmes and vaccine preventable disease control or polio eradication at senior management position at national and international levels with focus on policy, planning and strategic actions for improving immunization and surveillance programme performance.
Desirable: Experience in control of communicable diseases in general and surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases.Experience with resource mobilization and policy development. Experience of working in developing countries with low performing immunization programmes. Experience with measles elimination and polio eradication initiative.

Skills

Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of principles, practices, methodology and techniques of immunization, disease eradication, epidemiology, disease prevention and control of communicable diseases.Excellent knowledge in analyzing vaccine preventable diseases surveillance and immunization data, synthesizing information and presenting clear and concise conclusions and recommendations for decision making.Demonstrated capacity in developing strategies and plans related to immunization and disease eradication programmes.Good interpersonal skills.Demonstrated ability to work constructively with people of different cultural and educational backgrounds.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Another WHO language.

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 103,165 (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 3628 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

Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

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 eManual.

The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

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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Team Lead