EPI National Consultants

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: AFRO/14/SSA8 Title: EPI National Consultants Grade: NO-B Contract type: Special Service Agreement Duration of contract:  Initially for six months with possibility of extension	Date: 25 April 2014 Application Deadline: 9 May 2014 (8 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   Organization unit: AF_SSR AF South-East Sub-Region (AF_SSR) / AF_ETH Ethiopia (AF_ETH)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To reduce morbidity and mortality by providing immunization against vaccine preventable diseases for all children in the first five years of life and for all women of child-bearing age. To eradicate poliomyelitis, to eliminate measles, and to eliminate neonatal tetanus.
Description of duties: Under the overall supervision of the WHO Representative and direction of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI )Team Leader, the incumbent provides technical guidance and cooperates with national authorities towards the goals of polio eradication, measles elimination, and maintaining neonatal tetanus elimination through implementing routine and supplemental immunization activities, and achieving and maintaining quality surveillance within the framework of IDSR. The EPI officer will specifically execute the following tasks:- 1- Provides technical support for the development of action plans to improve national as well as sub-national routine immunization coverage and reduce the number of unimmunized children; 2- Collaborates closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, Partners, Regional Health Bureaus and Zonal Health Departments on all immunization and surveillance-related activities; 3- Supports training activities for mid-level managers and health workers to strengthen technical capacity for high quality EPI and surveillance; 4- Conducts supportive supervision, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of EPI activities; 5- Provides technical support at all levels of the government structure and with other partners to achieve high quality supplemental immunization activities. 6- Establishes and maintains a sensitive active surveillance system in the area of assignment within the framework of IDSR with a special focus on polio eradication, measles mortality reduction, and maintaining neonatal tetanus elimination. 7- Conducts outbreak investigations whenever there are rumours of cases or confirmed cases; provides feedback to all partners and government counterparts with appropriate formats. 8- Monitors and analyses routine EPI reports and surveillance data regularly and provide feedback at national and sub-national levels and to partners; and implement action plans in areas where data shows gaps or weaknesses. 9- Supports social and resource mobilization efforts for routine and supplemental immunization activities; 10- Submits monthly/bimonthly activity reports to WHO/EPI and the Regional Health Bureau. 11- Assists with timely utilization and retirement of surveillance and immunization funds at the level of assignment. 12- Carries out any other assignments as assigned by supervisors
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: BSc in health related field
Skills:  Technical expertise in public health and epidemiology, ;planning, program management and coordination of health programs, especially as it relates to vaccine preventable diseases and routine immunization; ability to train others; familiarity with key routine and supplemental immunization strategies.
Experience: A minimum of two years of work experience in Public Health with emphasis in surveillance, EPI and/or other child health Programs
Languages: Excellent knowledge of both written and spoken English. Knowledge of other UN Official and local languages of the duty stations would be an advantage.
Additional Information: Annual remuneration: USD 16,665 Payable in ETB Duty station: Ethiopia/Gambella, Somali, Benishangul, other regions Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. Please provide your cellphone number and valid e-mail address. Applicants within government employment and/or with outstanding obligations will not be considered unless a letter of release is produced. Note! This vacancy announcement is only for Ethiopian Nationals.
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
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.