National Professional Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The incumbent will report to the Medical Officer, EPI and Coordinator, Integrated Immunization and VPD Surveillance Officer, and under the general guidance of the Head of the WHO country office. Within the delegated authority and in collaboration with other units in the country office, officer will work independently under broad guidance of the supervisor, including establishing /maintaining good relations with national counterparts, multiple stakeholders from professional agencies to United Nations agencies, from development banks and other donors and funding agencies to establish collaborative and consultative models of policy dialogue and resource mobilization for projects.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will have the following assigned responsibilities/duties :

• Provide Technical support to the MOH in developing, implementing and evaluating national immunization programme (NIP) strategies at national and local levels in updating and adapting relevant guidelines, materials and tools, and in performing training needs assessments, organizing and implementing training activities.
• Support the Ministry of Health or other health related interlocutors in the country in planning and organizing vaccination campaigns
• Support the Programme Coordinator, Immunization in implementing projects on vaccinations, including support in capacity building activities.
• Develop joint actions with MOH counterparts, such as working groups, roundtables, meetings to facilitate the NIP and VPI project implementation process at national and oblast levels, with emphasis on documenting experience for later review;
• Liaise with professional and general service staff on unit activities, follow-up on administrative actions, programme /project reviews to ensure timely implementation;
• Provide Liaison between the Programme Coordinator and field staff Federal member states in in facilitating partnership and coordination between the Ministry of Health and partners involved in the NIP;
• Facilitate smooth information flow of activities between National and field staff and MOH, and other involved institutions and partners (UNICEF particularly) through sharing of reports, meetings etc;
• Support and advise the MOH in on national policy and guidelines in the area of immunization in line with WHO recommendations;
• Draft/write regular reports and provide updates to the Programme Coordinator, WHO Representative and to the WHO Regional Office;
• Provide assistance in other areas of immunization programme support as needed.
• Conduct any other duties as assigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: University degree in a health-related field medicine, public health or other related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
• Desirable: Advanced degree in Medicine/Public Health.

Experience

• Essential: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in strengthening immunization programmes at national level. Field experience in developing EPI operational plans, strengthening immunization programmes in low coverage countries.
• Desirable: Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.

Skills

• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Excellent knowledge of Maternal, newborn and child health care systems and safety regulations.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• Team leadership, team spirit and time management skills.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2409264