EXTENSION – TECHNICAL OFFICER

Job Posting: Oct 17, 2024, 1:07:05 PM

Closing Date: Oct 31, 2024, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location: Switzerland-Geneva

Organization: HQ/IVB Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals UHL

Schedule: Full-time  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.

*Candidates who have previously applied to this position do not need to re-apply again as your  application will be considered in the selection process.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Immunization Vaccines and Biologicals’ (IVB) Department’s mission is « To promote the health and well-being of all people, in all countries, by advancing the impact of vaccines and immunization programmes through partnership and leadership; policies and guidance; evidence and research ». Our work is aligned with the WHO Global Programme of Work (GPW), with a central focus to drive impact in countries, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages. The Strategic Objectives of the IVB Department include:1) Establishing global immunization agendas, strategies and policies to build and harness commitment to action.2) Promoting research and innovation to increase impact of vaccines, technologies and immunization practices.3) Advancing evidence-based introduction and access to vaccines and immunization innovations.4) Optimizing immunization delivery to ensure high-impact, sustainable and equitable programmes.5) Harnessing Vaccine Alliances and Partnerships, including collaborations with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other WHO partners, towards cross-programme coordination and collaboration in pursuit of universal health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the designated supervisor, the incumbent is responsible for the following key functions:

• Assist with the coordination of the Departmental level activities in support of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) in close coordination with regional offices and serve as headquarters (HQ) focal point for this area of work.
• Support regional offices in their effort to establish regional and subregional centres of excellence for immunization decision making.
• Serve as the Secretariat to the Global NITAG Network (GNN) network as a means to bring together NITAGs globally and manage related resources and information hub.
• Faciliate the convening of technical partners to coordinate activities globally, including expert advice and funding. 
• Support the development of innovative solutions and review best practices in related fields, such as health technology assessment.
• Work with partners and aligned with departmental priorities, identify training needs, and serve as technical resource in definition and testing training modules and other relevant adult learning activities.
• Manage information dissemination strategies and crosstalk across the three levels of WHO on immunization policies, and specifically contribute to the dissemination of recommendations issued by SAGE; request and synthesize feedback on policy needs at country and regional level.
• In collaboration with colleagues, advance the agenda of evidence-based decision-making, planning and prioritization in the context of national immunization strategies.
• Represent WHO in technical fora with competency and authority.
• Perform any other duties as requested by the supervisory line.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: 

• First level university degree in Public Health, Management sciences, or closely related field relevant to the functions of the position.

Desirable:

• First level university degree complementing the essential requirements, such as social/human sciences, or in one of the above-mentioned areas or equivalent training on the job.
• Training related to communication and/or adult learning.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of five years of relevant combined national and international professional experience in the fields of public health, global health and/or international development.
• At least two years’ experience in working with countries on immunization decision-making.
• Successful collaborative work with international technical partners in the field of immunizaton.
  
  

Desirable:

• Experience and knowledge of working with WHO or within UN environment.
• Knowledgeable about global health environment and vaccines in particular.
• Field experience of working with immunization programmes in low- and middle-income countries.

Skills

• Ability to work within a team at HQ and across the Organization, in particular at regional level, and interact with multiple technical partners outside the Organization; exert very good interpersonal skills as well as strong capacities to communicate clearly and interact with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work independently under general guidance, to have a problem-solving approach and a creative mindset to propose practical and innovative solutions.
• Carry good judgement on technical matters and when interacting with people.
• Ability to manage processes with attention to detail, quality of work and time management.
• Excellent presentation and drafting skills.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: 

• Intermediate knowledge of French.
• Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 64,121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 4590 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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