Technical Officer (Polio) Verified listing

To contribute to the eradication of poliomyelitis; reduce morbidity, mortality and inequities attributable to vaccine-preventable diseases; and strengthen resilient national immunization and surveillance systems. The programme supports Member States to implement the Immunization Agenda 2030 and applicable Global Polio Eradication Initiative strategies through high and equitable routine immunization, quality supplementary immunization activities, new vaccine introduction, effective surveillance, and timely response to outbreaks and health emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Provide technical advice and implementation support to Member States and WHO offices for national immunization strategies, polio emergency action plans, annual operational plans and integrated VPD prevention, control, elimination and eradication activities.
• Support the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of high-quality routine and supplementary immunization activities, with emphasis on reaching zero-dose, under-immunized, hard-to-reach and emergency-affected populations and on reducing inequities in coverage.
• Provide technical support for preparedness and response to importations or outbreaks of wild or vaccine-derived polio virus and other priority VPDs, including measles, rubella, diphtheria, meningitis and yellow fever, in accordance with WHO guidance.
• Strengthen acute flaccid paralysis, environmental and case-based VPD surveillance and associated laboratory networks through assessments, data review, action plans, training, monitoring and follow-up of corrective measures.
• Compile, validate, analyse and interpret epidemiological, immunization, vaccine-stock and programme-performance data; conduct risk assessments; maintain dashboards and scorecards; identify bottlenecks and provide timely recommendations to countries and partners.
• Support workplans, budgets, vaccine and supply forecasting, allocation and monitoring, cold-chain and logistics planning, grant implementation and timely technical and donor reporting as necessary.
• Develop, adapt and disseminate technical guidance, standard operating procedures, training materials, monitoring tools and best-practice products for immunization, surveillance, outbreak response, vaccine introduction and disease eradication or elimination.
• Plan and deliver capacity-building activities for national and subnational staff and partners; provide coaching and follow-up support to translate guidance into improved programme quality and performance.
• Support operational research, programme reviews and evaluations, including formulation of questions, analysis and synthesis of findings, documentation of lessons learned and development of actionable recommendations.
• Promote integration of polio assets and functions with routine immunization, primary health care, health-emergency preparedness and broader health-system strengthening, while safeguarding essential eradication and surveillance capacities.
• Liaise with technical teams at WHO headquarters, regional and country offices and with government, GPEI, UN, donor and development partners to harmonize technical recommendations, resolve implementation issues and coordinate country support.
• Represent WHO in technical meetings, missions, workshops and working groups as assigned, and prepare concise technical reports, briefings, presentations and communications for internal and external audiences.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education

Essential: Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, immunization, vaccinology, health sciences, infectious or communicable disease control, global health, international development or another field directly relevant to the functions of the position.
Desirable: A first university degree in medicine or another health-related science, and/or professional training in field epidemiology, polio eradication, immunization programme management, VPD surveillance, outbreak response, biostatistics, data analysis or project management.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, including at least four years in disease eradication, immunization, VPD surveillance/control or infectious-disease prevention and control. Demonstrated experience supporting national or subnational programmes, analysing programme and surveillance data, and translating technical guidance into implementation. International exposure through relevant work in a multicultural environment, with partners across different geographical or cultural settings, and/or on projects in different geographical or cultural settings.
Desirable: Relevant experience gained outside the candidate's homecountry; significant work in polio eradication or large-scale immunization programmes; and experience with WHO, another UN organization, an international NGO, GPEI or immunization partners, work in developing-country, fragile, conflict-affected, humanitarian or outbreak settings.

Skills

• Sound technical knowledge of public health and epidemiology, immunization systems, vaccine science, polio eradication, VPD surveillance, disease prevention and control, outbreak preparedness and response, and relevant WHO policies and guidance.
• Strong ability to analyse surveillance, immunization and epidemiological data, identify programme risks and bottlenecks, synthesize evidence and formulate practical conclusions and recommendations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of routine and supplementary immunization planning, campaign quality, zero-dose and equity strategies, vaccine introduction, vaccine supply and cold-chain considerations, and integration with primary health care.
• Ability to develop and adapt technical guidance, tools, workplans, budgets, training materials and monitoring frameworks and to support their effective implementation in country and field settings.
• Strong project-management, organization, technical writing, facilitation, presentation and capacity-building skills, with the ability to deliver quality outputs under competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively with governments, communities anddiverse national and international partners in multicultural, developing-country, fragile or emergency environments.
• Commitment to WHO values, integrity, accountability, genderequality, equity, inclusion and respectful teamwork.