Manager, Immunization Policies and Strategies

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: HQ/14/HQ/FT150 Title: Manager, Immunization Policies and Strategies 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 Headquarters (HQ) / HQ/FWC Family, Women's and Children's Health (HQ/FWC) Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (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: 1. Lead and manage the Immunization Policy and Strategies Group: Develop the goals, objectives, biennial work plans and budgets for the Policy and Strategies Group. Coordinate, oversee and delegate responsibilities within the Policy and Strategies 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 annual workplan. 2. Lead EPI's contribution to the development of immunization policies and strategies in support of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE). Lead, participate in, and support established SAGE working groups (for example, on polio, measles, vaccine hesitancy, middle income countries). Establish and coordinate new SAGE working groups as required, in order to generate the evidence necessary to inform SAGE recommendations (e.g. new HPV vaccination schedules). Participate in other technical advisory groups as required to ensure that immunization policies are well understood and reflected. Represent EPI in the departmental editorial committee on vaccine position papers. Oversee the regular revision and updating of WHO recommendations for immunization schedules. Coordinate EPI operations research activities that contribute to the evidence required for the development of new policy and strategies. Strategic coordination of EPI publications to ensure full alignment in time and contents with the department's priorities. 3. Responsible for driving EPI technical and policy support to: i) integrate immunization with other health interventions; ii) optimize accelerated disease control contribution to the strengthening of immunization programmes; and iii) developing strategies to support middle income countries. Liaise with other WHO departments, regional and country offices to develop strategies for implementing comprehensive approaches through the use of vaccines and other commodities in line with the Global Action Plan for the control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPP-D). Work closely with IARC and the WHO departments of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (MCA), Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (PND), to promote a comprehensive approach to the control of cervical cancer that combines introduction of HPV vaccine with education and other health interventions targeted at adolescents. Ensure that efforts for accelerated disease control (for example, Supplemental Immunization Activities for Polio, Measles/Rubella) are planned, conducted and evaluated to optimize their contribution to the strengthening of immunization programmes. Oversee the work of EPI on the development of strategies and policies in support of middle income countries (MIC) including GAVI graduating countries, e.g. the SAGE MIC policy and strategy Task Team and the vaccine product, procurement and price project (V3P). 4. Oversee the development and revision of guidelines and programme review methodologies. Lead and coordinate the development of guidelines aimed at programme managers (e.g. guidelines for the introduction of new vaccines). Oversee the revision of the EPI programme review methodology. Oversee and coordinate the revision and dissemination of the Post Introduction Evaluation methodology. Oversee and support the use of a protocol for identifying missed opportunities for immunization. Coordinate efforts to develop guidance for broadening the immunization schedule to reflect all age groups. 5. Other duties including, 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 (Masters level) in public health, health policy, international relations, epidemiology or another related field.
Skills:  Excellent knowledge of immunization, immunization policy, vaccine preventable diseases and global health. In-depth knowledge of WHO processes for policy setting. Record of publications in immunization. Good understanding of immunization programmes in developing countries through participation in the development of multi-year plans, reviews, conduct of EPI reviews and Post Introduction Evaluation (PIE) assessments. Ability to motivate, lead and manage a diverse team. Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with and/or 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. 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: At least 10 years of experience in immunization including the development of policies and strategies. Extensive experience in developing strategies for establishing linkages between immunization and other health interventions. Experience interacting with developing countries with regards to immunization policy, operational research, linking immunization and other health interventions. Extensive experience interacting with a broad range of immunization stakeholders at the global level. Desirable: Experience working with other health initiatives (for example, Polio Eradication Initiative, Roll Back Malaria, etc.). Previous experience working in the UN system.
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.