Polio Technical Assistance

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To eradicate poliomyelitis and support reduction in morbidity and mortality from other vaccine preventable and communicable diseases. Major emphasis will be placed on polio eradication activities.

Description of duties: This Vacancy Notice is issued to solicit interest from potential candidates to act as consultants for WHO Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) to engage in polio eradication activities and to provide technical guidance and support to national authorities or the Intercountry team towards implementation of supplementary immunization activities for polio eradication, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI ) and effective disease surveillance systems. Suitable candidates will be included in a consultancy roster and contacted whenever an assistance request from a WHO Country or Regional Office is received. Summary of common assistance requests: Support country or sub-regional efforts towards polio eradication, EPI diseases control through advice and collaboration with senior level staff in the Ministries of Health (or State or Regional health authorities) in the country or state of assignment. Cooperate with National EPI managers in coordinating donor support, organizing local training and providing technical assistance in planning, monitoring and reporting programme activities. Assist in monitoring laboratory support for polio eradication. Monitor the completeness of reporting and the use of surveillance performance indicators at country, regional and district level. Promote coordination between surveillance and laboratory activities. Develop and apply training, monitoring and evaluation methods and materials. Cooperate with national authorities in charge of training to plan, implement and evaluate training activities at national and local levels in support of polio eradication and Vitamin A supplementation including the adaptation of appropriate supporting training materials to local requirements. To assist with development of plan of action for polio NIDs and mopping up operations, supervise implementation and assist with the preparation of progress reports. Assist with co-ordination and implementation and supervision of supplementary immunization activities including ad-hoc mopping-up operations. Assist with estimation of resource requirements both human as well as financial, including preparation of funding proposals and identification of potential field staff. Perform other duties, as may be requested by WHO or national authorities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: University degree in Medicine, Health, Engineering, Science or Business Administration, with advanced university degree in public health or related field. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of professional training and/or self-study and relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Skills:  Technical expertise in capacity building in public health and disease control. Ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international level.

Experience: At least 3 years of experience in public health programmes in the areas of administration, planning, disease control, logistics and immunization, including experience at international level and working in developing countries.

Languages: Excellent working knowledge of English or French is required. Knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset. Language required will depend upon the duty station.

Additional Information: For recruitment purposes, WHO may issue either "staff" or "non-staff" contract types may be utilized and will be determined by the needs of PEI. For more information about the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, please visit www.polioeradication.org.

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.

Polio Technical Assistance 
Vacancy Number: HQ/12/PEC/ROST6
Duty Station: Multiple duty stations 
Grade: P level
Contract Type: Rosters
Closing Date: 31 Dec 2012