National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) Technical Officer (SSA-NO-B)

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.Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):

Immunization remains one of the most effective public health interventions and is a cornerstone of disease prevention and child survival. In Ethiopia, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has continued to provide strong leadership and coordination for the national immunization program. However, as the immunization landscape becomes increasingly complex, the program requires continuous analysis, evidence synthesis, and informed decision-making across multiple areas, including program improvement, new vaccine introduction, vaccine optimization, and policy development.

To strengthen evidence-based decision-making in immunization, the Federal Ministry of Health established the Ethiopian National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (ENITAG) in 2016. ENITAG was formed with clear terms of reference through the appointment of independent national experts from diverse disciplines and the establishment of governance mechanisms to ensure transparency and effective management of conflicts of interest. WHO provided technical support during the establishment of ENITAG and has continued to support institutional capacity strengthening over the years.

Since its establishment, ENITAG has produced several important recommendations and technical outputs that have guided the national immunization program and contributed to its recognition as a well-functioning NITAG. Nevertheless, independent WHO reviews conducted in 2023 identified several gaps, particularly related to the limited staffing and functionality of the Secretariat. In response, the MoH has prioritized strengthening the NITAG Secretariat as a key component of broader efforts to reinforce the national immunization program.

Purpose of the Post:

A strong and functional NITAG that enables the MoH to make evidence-based decisions on vaccine selection, prioritize limited resources effectively, and develop immunization schedules that are aligned with the country’s epidemiological and health system context; NITAG promotes public trust by ensuring transparency, scientific rigor, and credibility in decision-making processes; and To facilitate the sustaining of effective functioning and coordination of ENITAG, by providing dedicated expertise essential for technical, administrative, and operational support.

Organizational Context

Under the leadership of the Immunization Service Desk (ISD), the NITAG Technical Officer is expected to provide comprehensive technical guidance to the Ethiopian NITAG, the immunization Service Desk as well as to the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Services Lead Executive Office.

GRADE

NO-B

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The officer will support a wide range of programmatic and technical activities, including the development of annual NITAG plans, coordination and analysis of data, generation of evidence, facilitation of evidence-based decision-making, and documentation of immunization-related information. In addition, will contribute to capacity strengthening for the ISD team and provide ongoing technical support to both the Ethiopian NITAG and the Head of the ISD.

The NITAG Technical Officer shall perform the following specific functions:

• Develop the annual NITAG work plan aligned with national immunization priorities with the Head of Immunization Service Desk (EPI Manager), NITAG chair, and stakeholders
• Coordinate the establishment, functioning, and reporting of NITAG Working Groups (WGs)
• Develop meeting agenda, jointly with the NITAG Chair and EPI manager, and organize and facilitate NITAG meetings (ordinary and extraordinary), including logistical arrangements

• Prepare and propose topics for NITAG deliberations in consultation with the EPI manager and NITAG Chair, Coordinate the collection, analysis, synthesis and dissemination of relevant local, regional, and global evidence to inform NITAG discussions
• Prepare background documents, evidence summaries, and ministerial briefing notes to support NITAG deliberations, in collaboration with relevant Working Groups

• Facilitate the convening of NITAG meetings

• Facilitate effective communication and interaction between the NITAG Chair and the Ministry of Health
• Serve as the liaison among NITAG members, Working Groups, and the MoH, while respecting NITAG independence

· Engage with Global NITAG Networks (GNN) and share experience with national team NITAG members

· Support the immunization academy and research institute for encouraging local evidence generation and use

· Coordinate capacity building training, both local and international, for NITAG members and Immunization staff

• Any other duties assigned by supervisors

Expected output and deliverables

• Accurate and timely agendas and minutes of NITAG meetings
• Documentation of key discussions, decisions, and recommendations with accessible repository of relevant documents
• Implementation status of NITAG’s recommendations monitored and with feedback to NITAG
• Annual National Immunization Technical Advisory Group activity reports

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

First‑level university degree in a health‑related field.

Desirable:

An advanced University degree (Master’s level or higher) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Vaccinology or a related health field. Recent (3 years) formal training in Vaccinology Courses, vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), or evidence-based decision-making is an added advantage.

Experience

Essential:

At least two (2) years of experience working in the field of Vaccine and immunization; Experience working at MoH and involvement in vaccine planning and resource mobilization; Familiar with the Ethiopian Health system.

Desirable:

• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in coordinating immunization programs at the national levels; experience working at the ministry of health or UN agencies (WHO, UNICEF). In addition,

Proven experience in formulating policy questions, facilitating the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) activities.

Proven experience in national-level policy and strategy development, new vaccine introduction, and vaccine portfolio optimization and prioritization.

§ Experienced in policy brief and recommendation preparations, and evidence generation with at least 3 immunization related publications in peer reviewed journals

§ Familiar with WHO immunization guidelines, Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) recommendations, GNN, RITAG and NITAG operational frameworks

FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail
• Experience navigating complex operational environments with flexibility and adaptability
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills
• Comprehensive understanding of the roles of independent advisory bodies, such as NITAG
• Proficiency in standard office and data analysis software
• Proven ability in coordinating multiple stakeholders, including government institutions, technical experts, and development partners

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Effective communication
• Producing results
• Knowing and managing yourself

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Amharic.

REMUNERATION

This is a Special Service Agreement (SSA) contract at NO-B, Step 1, with a monthly remuneration of $3,270.08 paid in local currency equivalent.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1) Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

2) The duty station for this position is Addis Ababa, Ministry of Health.

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

4) Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

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

6) In the event 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.

7) 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.

8) Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

9) The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

10) 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.

11) The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. 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.

12) Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

13) 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

14) 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 short-listed candidates.

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

16) WHO also offers a 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.

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

18) For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

19) This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

20) 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.

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