MO measles-PD

Position Description – Professional
1
Position: 304302
Position Title: Medical officer (measles and rubella elimination)
Status: Revision without grade increase
Grade: P4
Unit/Team: VPI/DCD
Major Office: EMRO
Duty Station: Cairo, Egypt
Organization: WHO
Nature of Position: Fixed term
Duration: Two Years
Effective Date:
FTE: 100%
CCOG Code:
First Level Supervisor: RA/VPI, FT P5, PN 173549
Second Level Supervisor: DCD, FT D1, PN 172013
1. Background and Justification
*Purpose of the Position
To strengthen national immunization programmes with particular emphasis on
implementation of the regional and national strategies and plans of action for achieving
regional disease control and elimination targets, including measles and rubella control and
elimination and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination, through improving routine
immunization coverage, implementation of supplementary immunization activities,
strengthening disease surveillance and control of outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases in
countries of the EMR.
2. Job Description
*Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective
To reduce childhood morbidity and mortality attributable to vaccine preventable diseases and
achieve regional elimination and control targets through improving routine immunization,
implementing supplementary immunization activities, expanding immunization beyond
infancy, and introducing new and underutilized vaccines with ensuring equitable access of all
communities and individuals to vaccines of assured quality.
*Organizational context
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Adviser, Vaccine Preventable Diseases and
Immunization (RA/VPI), the overall guidance of Director, Department of Communicable
Diseases Prevention and Control, and in close collaboration with the other team members of
VPI and the EPI focal points at the countries, the incumbent will be responsible for planning,
implementing and monitoring of activities pertaining to achieving control and elimination of
measles, rubella and maternal and neonatal tetanus control and elimination and control of
outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases in countries of the EMR.
Position Description – Professional
2
S/he is expected to take the necessary decisions in providing technical advice to Member
States and work independently on developing the necessary plans and guidelines within the
framework of the global and regional strategies.
*Summary of Assigned Duties
The incumbent will perform the following duties:
1. Lead developing/updating guidelines and materials related to measles/rubella control
and elimination strategies
2. Provide technical expertise for reviewing and updating the national multiyear plan and
annual workplan of action for measles/rubella control and elimination
3. Provide technical expertise to the countries for developing and implementing locally
suitable strategies and plans of action for improving access to and uptake of
immunization services and achieving high routine immunization coverage of measles
and rubella vaccines
4. Lead planning and implementation of measles/rubella supplementary Immunization
Activities (SIAs) and outbreak response activities, including,
a. Conducting outbreak risk assessment
b. Proper planning and preparation for the SIAs including using the country
readiness assessment tool
c. Conducting intra SIAs monitoring and follow up
d. Conducting post SIAs evaluation and vaccination coverage survey
5. Strengthen and monitor performance of measles/rubella case-based surveillance
systems and conduct periodic surveillance assessments reviews
6. Guide the member states in preparing and submitting documentation of achieving
measles/rubella elimination and provide secretariat support to regional verification
commission (RVC) for measles/rubella elimination verification.
7. Provide technical support to the remaining countries for conducting risk assessment
and implementing national strategies and activities for achieving maternal and
neonatal tetanus elimination
8. Contribute to management of measles related resource mobilization and financial
implementation
3. Recruitment Profile
Competencies:
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnership across the organization and beyond
• Moving forward in a changing environment
Functional Knowledge and Skills
Position Description – Professional
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• Excellent knowledge in analysing vaccine preventable diseases and EPI-related data,
synthesizing information and presenting clear and concise conclusions and
recommendations for decision making
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of principles, practices, methodology and
techniques of planning of immunization programmes at senior level
• Excellent capacity for conducting training and advocacy
Education Qualifications
*Essential
• Master’s degree in epidemiology/public health.
*Desirable:
• Training in operational research, data management in EPI-related fields. Professional
training in biostatistics and data analysis
Experience
*Essential
• At least 7 years of extensive and practical experience in strengthening immunization
programmes and implementing measles and rubella control and elimination strategies
at senior level at national and international levels. Excellent field experience in
response to measles outbreaks, designing and implementing measles and rubella SIAs
and implementing measles case based surveillance
Desirable
• Experience in immunization data analysis, interpretation and using data for advocacy,
planning and improving programme performance
4. Use of Language Skills
Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of Arabic or other UN languages is an asset.
Other Skills (e.g. IT)
• Proficiency in MS Office applications