Header

Manager, Immunization Programme Operations

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: HQ/14/FWC/FT151

Title: Manager, Immunization Programme Operations

Grade: P5

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment

Duration of contract:  One year
 
Date: 27 March 2014

Application Deadline: 20 April 2014
(14 day(s) until closing deadline)
Currently accepting applications

Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland
 
Organization unit: HQ/FWC Family, Women's and Children's Health (HQ/FWC) /
HQ/IVB - Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (HQ/IVB)
 
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) team is housed within the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, within the Family, Women's and Children's Health (FWC) Cluster. EPI itself is divided into three functional groups: Strategic Information, Policy and Strategies and Programme Operations. EPI's objectives, in the context of the Decade of Vaccines Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) endorsed in
2012 by the World Health Assembly, are to develop policies and strategies for maximizing the use of vaccines of public health importance and their delivery; to support regions and countries in acquiring the necessary skills, competence and infrastructure to implement these policies and strategies and achieve disease control/elimination and eradication of objectives. The EPI Team works towards three priority areas: 1. Protect: Increasing immunization impact by reaching the unreached, increasing and sustaining coverage and strengthening immunization systems. 2. Innovate: Introduce new vaccines and technologies, promote integrated approaches to disease control, explore alternative delivery methods. 3. Accelerate: Elimination of measles and rubella, control of Meningitis A, monitoring of maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination. Polio Eradication is a focus across all priority areas.
Description of duties:
Under the guidance of Coordinator EPI, the incumbent is required to:
1. Lead and manage the Immunization Programme Operations Group: Develop the goals, objectives, biennial work plans, budgets and reporting to donors for the Immunization Programme Operations Group.Coordinate, delegate and oversee responsibilities within the Immunization Programme Operations Group to ensure achievement of objectives and even distribution of workload, in consultation with the EPI Priority Area Leads. Monitor team performance, budget implementation, and achievement of programmatic deliverables. Supervise and support team members in the development of their yearly objectives, in the implementation of their work plans and in meeting performance objectives. Initiate and/or approve terms of reference and contracting of external consultants in execution of annual workplan. Manage external partnerships with technical immunization partners and donors to immunization community (for example, WHO/UNICEF immunization supply chain and logistics hub). Coordinate and oversee the development of proposals and reports to donors.
2. Lead EPI work for the planning, implementation and strengthening of routine immunization programmes in Member States, in close coordination with and in support of WHO Regional offices. Provide
guidance and technical support to countries in the development of harmonized, costed
immunization multi-year plans which includes but is not limited to: routine immunization, new vaccines introduction, measles and rubella control, maternal and neo-natal tetanus elimination, polio eradication and other disease control initiatives. Coordinate the deployment of technical assistance to countries in the conduct of multi-year planning workshops, national programme reviews, post- introduction evaluations (PIEs), effective vaccine management assessments (EVMs) and national or sub-national trainings in immunization systems strengthening. Drive EPI work in alignment with the Polio Immunization Systems Management group (IMG) for the strengthening of routine immunization services by leveraging the use of the assets of the polio eradication programme in focus countries. Support regions and countries in the assessment of immunization financing requirements and in the identification of strategies to fulfil these requirements.
3. Lead WHO efforts in immunization supply chain and logistics systems. Coordinate WHO contribution to the WHO/UNICEF immunization supply chain knowledge and technical assistance hub. Host the secretariat of the Effective Vaccine Management Initiative, regularly update assessment tools and coordinate the deployment of technical assistance to countries for the conduct of EVM assessments, the development of improvement plans and strategize support for their implementation. Lead efforts for the development of technical guidance and the dissemination of best practices in good vaccine management handling at country level. Represent EPI in the Programmatic Suitability for Prequalification Committee and the Vaccine Packaging and Presentation Advisory Group to ensure programmatic dimensions are considered in the vaccine products characteristics. Drive WHO efforts to facilitate the re-licensing of vaccines to reflect their true heat stability for use in a controlled temperature chain. Maintain close working relationships with the Performance, Quality and Safety (PQS) Secretariat in the WHO Essential Medicines department and Unicef Supply division to ensure that equipment prequalified by WHO and supplied to countries by UNICEF meets
programmatic needs.
4. Lead the development of capacity building materials and manuals. Lead the interpretation of immunization policy into programmatic and operational guidance for use by national programme managers in developing countries. Oversee the development and dissemination of written and web-based immunization training materials for health professionals at all levels (Senior and mid-level managers, health workers, logisticians). Guide the development of refresher training for WHO HQ, regional and country staff involved in immunization programming.
5. Other duties: Represent EPI Team, IVB Department, and WHO at Global, Regional and National meetings. Undertake other duties as assigned by Coordinator, EPI or Director, IVB.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential:
Advanced university degree (Master's level) in public health, health policy, international relations, social sciences, epidemiology or in another related field.
Skills: 
Good understanding of WHO prequalification processes for vaccines and equipment and familiarity with upstream product supply and packaging issues. Good knowledge of WHO, UNICEF and GAVI processes. Practical knowledge of, and experience in providing technical assistance to Ministries of Health in capacity building initiatives for immunization programming.

Ability to motivate, lead and manage a diverse team. Ability to work in a multi-cultural
environment with and to coordinate a diverse groups of stakeholders. Strong interpersonal,
networking and diplomacy skills. Conscientious with ability to take initiative and work independently. Proven ability to work to deadline and budget, in collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders. Excellent knowledge of immunization programmes, vaccine preventable diseases and global health.In-depth understanding of WHO processes at global, regional and country levels.

WHO Competencies:
1. Producing results
2. Communicating in a credible and effective way
3. Ensuring the effective use of resources
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Experience:
Essential:
Over 10 years of experience in immunization programmes at global, regional and/or country levels. Demonstrated experience in working with local Ministries of Health in low-resource environments on the development, planning, implementation or monitoring and evaluation of immunization programmes. Demonstrated experience in drafting policies, guidelines or training materials. Extensive experience interacting with a broad range of immunization stakeholders at global and country level.
Desirable:
Country-level experience in immunization in the regions of Africa and Asia. Previous experience working in the UN system at country and/or regional level.
Languages:
Essential:
Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Additional Information:
Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice.
This Vacancy Notice is published in English only.
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
US$80 887 at single rate
US$87 069 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment: 103.3 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.