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Manager, Immunization Strategic Information

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: HQ/14/HQ/FT152

Title: Manager, Immunization Strategic Information

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 Strategic Information Group: Develop the goals, objectives, biennial work plans and budgets for the Immunization Strategic Information Group. Coordinate, oversee and delegate responsibilities within the Immunization Strategic Information 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. Coordinate the global system for immunization-related data collection and use: Provide managerial and technical oversight of the WHO immunization information system, ensuring high quality reliable data and reports are available in a timely and effective manner, in order to monitor progress against milestones of the EPI Strategic Plan and to inform strategic decisions. Oversee the development of computer applications for the smooth functioning and user-friendliness of the global immunization information system. Oversee the development and implementation of innovative approaches to collect and share key programmatic information.
3. Provide leadership and technical support to Regional Offices, Member States and partner agencies to improve the quality of immunization data and ensure the coordination of an Organization-wide immunization information system. Promote awareness among Member States, and provide authoritative expert advice and support to the WHO Regional and Country Offices and Member States in their efforts to improve the quality of country level immunization monitoring and surveillance data. Advise and support the WHO Regional and Country Offices and Member States in the production of standardized core datasets and compatible data management systems. Maintain close coordination with the GAVI Alliance and other global partner agencies, providing relevant immunization monitoring data, as per established agreements or on request, for the establishment of and monitoring of progress towards global goals and targets.
4. Lead the analysis, production and dissemination of epidemiological and programmatic information. Conduct appropriate analysis to monitor trends and document progress on key immunization programme indicators. Oversee the support and technical advice to IVB department staff in planning and conducting appropriate analysis of immunization programme performance using the immunization information data. Develop strategies for, and oversee the development of, tools and methods for strengthening the quality of immunization data. Oversee the production and dissemination of global estimates of key immunization indicators used by the global immunization community to monitor global health indicators.
5. Undertake other duties as assigned by Coordinator, EPI.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential:
Advanced university degree (Master's level) in epidemiology, mathematics or medical statistics, or in another related field.
Skills: 
Record of publications in immunization information, epidemiology and public health. Good understanding of immunization programmes in developing countries through participation in reviews (for example, EPI reviews, Post Introduction Evaluation (PIE) assessments, Data Quality Self-Assessments (DQS).

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. Excellent knowledge of information systems, vaccine preventable diseases and global health.

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 programme monitoring and health information systems. Experience in a managerial position with increasing levels of responsibility. Extensive experience interacting with a broad range of countries with regard to health data and, in particular, immunization data.
Desirable:
Experience in information management systems within 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.