DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Generic duties:
1. Provides technical leadership and managerial support within the Department within the area of VPD accelerated disease control and elimination as well as VPD outbreak reduction, response and recovery ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
2. Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with regional and country offices and provides advice in VPD accelerated disease control activities (, campaign optimization, polio integration, measles and rubella elimination, meningitis and yellow fever control and elimination goals) as well as outbreak reduction, response and recovery to strengthen 3-level technical coordination and capacity.
3. Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a small team of technical staff, development and monitoring of workplans and financial resources and implementation of planned activities to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
4. Promote and coordinate research and innovation on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
5. Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables.
6. Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
7. Liaises with and uses partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in the area of outbreak reduction and recovery to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies.
8. Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for WHO's vaccine-related disease control, elimination, and eradication priorities.
9. Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Specific duties:
10. Serves as WHO subject matter expert to lead Measles and Rubella Partnership and shape IVB portfolio of work in measles and rubella elimination.
11. Leads a close collaboration between IVB and the Health Emergencies Programme, Measles and Rubella Partnership, Polio Eradication, WHO Technical Task Force on Defeating Meningitis by 2030, yellow fever control initiatives and relevant regional offices to coordinate effective IVB3-level response to vaccination-related planning, implementation and monitoring of immunization or outbreak response activities, particularly in fragile settings or humanitarian emergencies.
12. In collaboration with Health Emergencies, serve as IVB focal point for shaping vaccine and immunization strategies for VPD outbreak/epidemic/pandemic response with particular attention on measles containing vaccines, diphtheria containing vaccines, other antigens as required.
13. Oversees the mobilization, management, and monitoring of financial resources, including resource mobilization, donor reporting, and development and implementation of workplans and planned activities, including disbursement and replenishment of measles outbreak response funds.
14. Represents the programme area of work of accelerated disease control and elimination at various internal and external meetings. This includes regularly responding to media and communication inquiries or interviews on vaccine preventable disease control and outbreak issues, and contributing to Director General press or other relevant technical briefings.
15. Apply his/her expertise and insights in robust use and analysis of the latest evidence on outbreak risk assessment, resilience, reduction, response, and recovery to guide strategic planning and decision-making. Develops technical guidance and tools in his/her technical area.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level) in Medicine, Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Policy, Public Policy, Global/International Health, Paediatric Health, or other area related to the function.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.
Experience
Essential:
16. A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in international global health and communicable disease prevention and control, including at least 7 years of experience in the area of health policies and strategies related to vaccine-preventable diseases.
17. Demonstrated experience with elimination or eradication programmes for vaccine preventable diseases.
18. Direct field experience working on vaccine preventable disease control and elimination, with experience addressing outbreaks in a variety of low-resource settings.
19. Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources.
20. Demonstrated experience leading the development of policies, guidelines or training materials.
21. A proven track record building collaborative and healthy partnerships at global or regional level in public health or vaccine-preventable diseases.
22. Experience interacting with a broad range of immunization stakeholders at global and country level.
Desirable:
23. Proven experience building and influencing complex multi-stakeholder partnerships, and planning and coordinating multi-stakeholder convenings.
24. Proven experience in technical assistance, training and capacity building at country, regional and global levels.-
25. Demonstrated experience with global and regional partnerships and working with donors.
26. Proficiency in more than one UN language.
Skills
Essential:
27. Strong technical skills in the area of accelerated vaccine-preventable disease control and elimination, with demonstrated field expertise in measles and/or rubella control.
28. Demonstrated expertise in outbreak preparedness and response
29. Keen understanding of immunization system components and interaction of immunization programme strengthening with outbreak reduction and recovery goals
30. Demonstrated experience with goals, operations and priorities of Health Emergencies Programme, Global Polio Eradication initiative and/or Measles and Rubella Partnership.
31. Concrete skills in the planningand coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.
32. Excellent skills and ability in managing and motivating diverse teams and overseeing financial resources.
33. Good skills in mobilizing resources.
34. Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.
35. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in immunization.
36. Knowledge of immunization programmes and key global initiatives such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Polio Eradication Programme and/or Measles and Rubella Partnership
Desirable:
37. Strong track record and background in project management, resource mobilization or donor advocacy
38. Highly motivated individual capable of influencing and taking initiative.
39. Ability to plan and execute projects in a timely manner with strong planning and organization skills
40. Ability to adapt to organizational changes.
41. Proven technical and analytical writing skills.
42. Ability to combine theoretically sound strategies with practical realities, and to think strategically and analytically.
43. Ability to develop effective working relationships with a wide range of partners.
WHO Competencies
44. Teamwork
45. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
46. Communication
47. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
48. Producing results
49. Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of WHO language.