Medical Officer (Immunization Strategies and Policy)

Job Description - Medical Officer (Immunization Strategies and Policy) (2402708)

Medical Officer (Immunization Strategies and Policy) - (2402708)

Grade: P5

Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 2 YEARS

: May 22, 2024, 1:15:28 PM

: Jun 12, 2024, 9:59:00 PM

: Switzerland-Geneva

: HQ/IVB Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals UHL

: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals' (IVB) mission is “To promote the health and well-being of all people, in all countries, by advancing the impact of vaccines and immunization programmes through partnership and leadership; policies and guidance; evidence and research”. Our work is aligned with the WHO's Global Programme of Work, with a central focus to drive impact in countries, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages. The Strategic Objectives of the IVB Department include:1) Establishing global immunization agendas, strategies and policies to build and harness commitment to action.2) Promoting research and innovation to increase impact of vaccines, technologies and immunization practices.3) Advancing evidence-based introduction and access to vaccines and immunization innovations.4) Optimizing immunization delivery to ensure high-impact, sustainable and equitable programmes.5) Harnessing Vaccine Alliances and Partnerships, including collaborations with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and key WHO partners, towards cross-programme coordination and collaboration in pursuit of universal health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Develop and propose technical immunization policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with regional and country offices and provide advice related to life course vaccination and integration to strengthen the technical capacity and impact of national immunization programmes.
• Engage with national leadership, including national policy-making bodies and institutions, to strengthen country capacity to assess disease burden, estimate the potential impact and cost effectiveness of introduction of new vaccines and technologies and to translate these data into policy decisions.
• Identify strategic knowledge gaps, and plan and manage expert scientific consultations to evaluate and review existing evidence in order to advise on the content of current WHO immunization policy recommendations and to guide revision of strategic directions.
• Lead and conduct research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Lead the design of methodological approaches and undertake or coordinate literature reviews, systematic analyses and synthesis of epidemiological and other evidence or data to inform the development of WHO policy and strategies related to immunization, with particular focus on vaccines already in use in national immunization programmes.
• Assist with the development and revision of WHO recommendations and draft WHO position papers on vaccines and immunization, and undertake GRADEing of epidemiological evidence to support these recommendations, based on the guidance provided by SAGE.
• Draft implementation guidance and other related materials to support the adoption and implementation of WHO immunization recommendations, integration and life course vaccination.
• Serve as a technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
• Represent WHO at a senior-level in immunization partnerships for immunization and new vaccine introduction (such as Gavi, IA2030, etc) and in other related forums with industry and academia.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• Medical degree with advanced degree (Master's level or above) in Epidemiology, Public Health, Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Health Policy, or other related field.

Desirable:

• PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of experience across fields of immunization that includes managing and implementing immunization programmes, conducting epidemiological analyses and developing immunization policies, with at least some years of relevant experience at the international level, including working on public health issues relevant to low- and low and middle-income countries.

Desirable:

• Experience with the application of evidence-based methods and systematic reviews and synthesis of evidence.

Skills

• Broad knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization systems with particular competence in the scientific basis for disease control and development of evidence-based guidance.
• Ability to design and evaluate studies or systematic reviews, develop rigorous plans to collect, analyze and present statistical data, and write concise reports.
• Proven leadership and coordination abilities in public health and capacity to communicate effectively with staff at all levels in government, donors, international organizations, NGOs and partner agencies.
• Strong interpersonal, networking and diplomacy skills.
• Ability to work as a team member, and sensitivity to working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Conscientious with the ability to take the initiative and work independently under general guidance.
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills.
• Familiarity with the UN system, including knowledge of WHO country, regional and global functions.
• Technical knowledge of national immunization programmes in low- and low and middle-income countries is essential, together with a solid understanding of operating procedures in international agencies such as WHO.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 92,731 (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 7055 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 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 E-Manual.
• 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 workforce. 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 E-Mail schreiben
• 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• 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 Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• 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 E-Mail schreiben.
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