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Advisor, Immunization
Job Description
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OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)
The Department of Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL) of the Pan American Health Organization promotes, coordinates and implements technical cooperation at the regional, subregional and country levels, emphasizing the central role of the family and community to foster a culture of health promotion and protection in which health is a social value and a human right. FPL focuses on the development and implementation of programs for women and men’s health; sexual and reproductive health; maternal and neonatal health; the integrated health and development of children and adolescents; the health of aging populations; comprehensive family immunization and leads innovative, inter-sectoral and strategic efforts to address the social determinants of health.
Description Of Duties
- Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the technical guidance of the Unit Chief, Comprehensive Family Immunization (FPL/IM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties towards Reinvigorating Immunization as a Public Good for Universal Health:
- Provide technical advice and support in programming and evaluating national plans and strategies for national immunization programs, with respect to:
- immunization strategies;
- cold chain and safety equipment and procedures;
- delivery of vaccines and related supplies;
- training of personnel in all aspects of program implementation;
- systems for reporting immunizations administered and integration into general reporting systems of mother and child health;
the organization of epidemiological surveillance systems to detect, investigate, and control cases of paralytic poliomyelitis and other vaccine‑preventable diseases in the assigned countries; - intra and extra‑sectoral coordination, coordination at institutional and within the United Nations (UN) system, as well as regional level;
- mobilization of resources from national, and international sources;
- social mobilization for immunization programs.
- Advise and promote sound immunization practices with a focused primary health care approach in close coordination with all related national programs in the countries;
- Promote and follow-up to the implementation of the Plan of Action of the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) or equivalent;
- Develop and update national plans for comprehensive immunizations programs, including the planning of objectives, strategies and operational methodologies, as well as budgeting, and linkages to the Revolving Fund mechanism for the procurement of vaccines within the context of the primary health care systems, at regional and national levels;
- Prepare and coordinate training programs regarding the operational and administrative aspects of immunization programs, surveillance activities for vaccine-preventable diseases and diagnostic tests for the laboratory networks providing support to surveillance;
- Provide technical advice to the national immunization program in all aspects of program evaluation, including the development of methodologies for process and impact evaluation;
- Develop and promote research programs related to different operational and epidemiological components of immunization programs and related activities at the country level;
- Provide technical support to other national institutions, technical or operational officials attached to the program in assigned countries for the development of national immunization programs in the Region;
- Pro-actively develop and strength partnerships with key associates like Unicef, Gavi, and national and international NGOs working on immunization;
- Advise and coordinate with national and international organizations in making optimal use of technical, administrative and economic resources available in the Region for the achievement of the overall goals of the IM Program and, in particular, the maintenance of polio-free status and the eradication of measles in the Americas;
- Mobilize voluntary contributions through the elaboration and implementation of projects to fill financial gaps in the immunization program and collaborate with other Units to achieve effective coordination of program activities and appropriate utilization and mobilization of resources;
- Collaborate in the preparation of biennial programs and budgets, semiannual work plans and periodic evaluations for assigned projects; participate in the annual evaluation of the Unit;
- Collaborate in the introduction of high-cost vaccines and new vaccines, including against rotavirus, pneumococcus, influenza; HPV and COVID-19;
- Establish and maintain strong technical communication with the Immunization Unit to facilitate a timely and effective assistance and follow-up to the country goals and needs;
- When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;
- Perform other related duties, as assigned.
Education
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related profession and a master’s degree in epidemiology, public health or in any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.
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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.
Experience
- Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in disease control programs, with emphasis on the design, implementation and evaluation of immunization programs.
- Experience should include participation in technical cooperation programs and activities in disease control or in immunization programs in a health-related program or institution.
Skills
PAHO Competencies:
- Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity –
- Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
- Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others – Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
- Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Listen/Write effectively/Share knowledge – Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
- Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results – Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives.
- Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
- Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well – Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-
- Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
- Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration – Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure
- Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.
Technical Expertise
- Demonstrated experience in working, supporting, advising, guiding and/or developing an Expanded Program of Immunization;
- Knowledge and expertise in the epidemiology of communicable diseases, especially vaccine-preventable diseases; use of epidemiological principles and methods to solve problems related to vaccine-preventable diseases combined with the ability to respond objectively to unforeseen problems and exercise sound judgment in finding technical solutions within the framework of organizational policy. Excellent knowledge of the principles and recent developments in epidemiology, surveillance and biostatistics.
- Demonstrated ability in the application of epidemiological techniques and procedures for analyzing the magnitude of vaccine preventable diseases or conditions affecting the health of the population, determining factors which influence the magnitude of these diseases or conditions; applying and evaluating selected interventions designed to reduce the magnitude of these diseases.
- Broad knowledge of organization and implementation of public health programs and public health administration.
- Broad knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria and instruments for evaluating programs intervention.
- Knowledge and skills in project planning and management, including resource mobilization and grant management.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate and coordinate activities with all relevant sectors of government, international agencies, the private sector and organized community groups.
- Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
Languages
Very good knowledge of English and Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
IT Skills
Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)
USD $77,326.00 + post adjustment
Post Adjustment: 58.8% 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.
Additional Information
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.