PD MO Immunization system strengthening-PD

Position Description – Professional
1
Position: 304301
Position Title: Medical officer (Immunization services strengthening)
Status: revision without grade change
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 planning and
implementation of effective policies and strategies to improve routine immunization
coverage in countries with large number of unvaccinated children in 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 immunization targets through implementing routine immunization and
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 improving routine immunization
coverage and equity in countries/areas with large number of unvaccinated children.
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 regional vaccine action plan.
*Summary of Assigned Duties
Position Description – Professional
2
The incumbent will perform the following duties:
1. Provide technical expertise to member states, particularly the GAVI eligible ones, in
developing/updating their EPI comprehensive multi-year plans (cMYP) using WHO and
UNICEF format, in line with the national health sector strategy and national immunization
policy, and follow up on country implementation of their EPI cMYP;
2. Provide technical expertise to the countries for developing annual immunization
operational workplans for implementation of planned immunization activities, in line with
the cMYP
3. Design appropriate strategies for delivering immunization services in countries with large
number of unvaccinated children
4. Provide technical expertise to low coverage countries for developing and implementing
locally suitable strategies and plans of action for improving access to and uptake of
immunization services for hard to reach and chronically under-reached populations
5. Conduct periodic review of national immunization programmes in low coverage countries,
identify gaps and missed opportunities for vaccination and support developing plan of
action to address them.
6. Provide technical expertise and guidance for immunization data collection, data analysis,
interpretation and using the data for identifying gaps in immunization services and using
the data for advocacy and resource mobilization
7. Develop relevant training material and conduct training activities to relevant staff on
appropriate strategies for delivering immunization services to hard-to-reach populations
8. Collaborate with the partners and stakeholders to harmonize recommendations on policies,
strategies, planning and implementation of activities related to strengthening
immunization systems in countries with large number of unvaccinated children.
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
• 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:
Position Description – Professional
3
• Training in EPI planning, health economics, 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 at senior level at national and international levels. Excellent field
experience in developing comprehensive multiyear plans, EPI operational plans,
strengthening immunization programmes in low coverage countries
Desirable
• Strong 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