Regional Advisor, Research, Vaccines and Medical Countermeasures

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1. Background and Justification

*Purpose of the Position

The Regional advisor, Research, Vaccines and Medical Countermeasures (MCM) is a unit head responsible for providing strategic guidance for decision making on three key areas that are critical in fostering research and development (R&D), access to medical countermeasures during epidemics and pandemics, and scaling up vaccination interventions in emergencies.

The incumbent will facilitate collaboration and linkage between relevant Directorates/ Programmes at HQ and AFRO (Blueprint team, MCM network, HSS and DPC clusters) for effective planning and implementation of research and MCM agenda, and vaccination activities in emergency settings. The incumbent will lead research and introduction of vaccinations for high threat pathogens such Ebola, mpox, and Marburg and represent AFRO in partnership for a and donors’ engagements act as a focal person for GAVI partnership and business planning.

2. Job Description

*Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacities of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The Programme supports countries and coordinates international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The objectives of the Research, vaccines and MCM unit includes the development and strengthening of core national capacities necessary to mitigate and respond to emergency risks and vulnerabilities, and use of research to guide effective policies under the guidance of Health Emergencies, Pandemics, and Threats Management (HEP) Manager.

*Organizational context (Describe the individual role of incumbent within the team, focusing on work environment within and outside the organization)

The position provides technical expertise and advice to member states and partners in tackling pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential by advancing R&D, scaling up vaccinations in emergency settings, and ensuring that appropriate MCM are accessible during public health emergencies. The Unit Head will build a wide range of established partnerships with UN Agencies, Donor institutions, counterparts in WHO Collaborating Centres and other public health institutions and other stakeholders in its development of solutions to public health issues.

*Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected)

Generic duties

• Provides technical leadership, coordination and managerial support within the unit ensuring that activities are carried out efficiently and effectively.
• Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Country Offices.
• Oversees a unit of technical teams specialized in various domains within their area of expertise and facilitates the efficient flow of team synergies.
• Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a small team of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme’s deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
• Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables.
• Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
• Represent the programme area of work at various meetings.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties

• Contribute to the design and implementation of Preparedness Flagship initiative.
• Supervise the implementation and the work of Pandemic Influenza partnership and ensure relevant guidance on influenza laboratory are updated.
• Lead AFRO support for vaccination in emergency context by ensuring regional coordination and guide decision making on vaccination interventions immediately after the onset or during planning in anticipation of a likely acute emergency.
• Liaise with the EPR detection, verification and risk assessment team to conduct and strengthen event-based surveillance for VPD outbreaks and verify signals, working with relevant technical programmes at the regional office and headquarters.
• Support other teams in applications and access to vaccines such as OCV for preventive and reactive campaigns.
• Collaborate with IVD and Polio teams in addressing vaccine preventable diseases in emergency settings.
• Coordinate the work of Research officers in managing specific research projects, EPR research priorities agenda, AFRO Ethics framework, and Collaborating Centers.
• Represent AFRO in MCM pillar of HEP core capabilities and MCM network.

3. Recruitment Profile

Competencies: Generic

• Teamwork.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
• Communication.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
• Promoting innovation and organizational learning.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

*Describe the essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position.

• Authoritative voice in Immunization programs with strong background in research.
• Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
• In-depth knowledge of health emergencies planning and partner coordination, policies and practices within the UN, other UN specialized agencies, as well as donors and partners.

Educational (Qualifications)

Essential:

An advanced university degree in medicine, or related field, and Master’s level qualifications in public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, or emergency/disaster management.

Desirable:

• Post graduate studies or specialized training related to public health.
• A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential:

A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in immunization programmes, health emergencies, and research. Demonstrated experience in managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience in working at the international level and good working knowledge of the African region.

Desirable:

Experience with UN Agencies or international NGOs would be an added advantage.

Languages

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.

The above language requirements are interchangeable.

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese or another WHO language.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Strong presentation skills.
• Good skills in office packages, and ERP based systems.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 86,027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2,838.89 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

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

• 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/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. 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.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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 into practice.

• 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 final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers 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.

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

• 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.

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

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