Immunization Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO focuses on various health issues, including communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, health systems, and emergency response, among others. Its goal is to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health.

Job Overview:
The Immunization Officer position is primarily focused on the Immunization and Vaccines Development Programme in South Sudan. The role involves providing technical support and advisory services to enhance the quality of immunization and vaccine development. The officer will work closely with the government to develop guidelines for the selection and introduction of new vaccines into the national immunization program. This includes evaluating the impact of newly introduced vaccines and ensuring that immunization policies are effectively implemented to prevent diseases that can be avoided through vaccination. The officer will also be responsible for training health workers, monitoring vaccine coverage, and conducting evaluations to assess the effectiveness of immunization strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Immunization Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical expertise for the introduction and scale-up of new vaccines, such as yellow fever, MenA, or HPV vaccines, including guideline development and training.
• Monitoring vaccine coverage and drop-out rates, conducting post-introduction evaluations to assess impact and challenges.
• Strengthening the capacity of health workers through training, supportive supervision, and mentorship, focusing on cold chain management, vaccine storage, and safe injection practices.
• Designing and coordinating national and sub-national immunization strategies in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and international partners.
• Facilitating communication between the Ministry of Health, National Immunization Programme (NIP), and other stakeholders.
• Supporting the operationalization of annual work plans and planning vaccination campaigns.
• Conducting capacity-building efforts and providing feedback for improvement.
• Drafting reports and updates for the Programme Coordinator and WHO representatives.
• Developing immunization curricula for vaccinators at the sub-national level. 1
• Supporting resource mobilization and project planning. 1
• Conducting other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first university degree in a health-related field, such as medicine or public health, from an accredited institution. An advanced degree in Medicine or Public Health is desirable. Candidates should have at least five years of professional experience in Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) or Child Health Programs, with a focus on providing technical advice to national counterparts and managing diverse teams. Relevant experience with WHO or UN agencies is also desirable.

Educational Background:
The essential educational requirement for this position is a first university degree in a health-related field, such as medicine, public health, or a related discipline from an accredited institution. An advanced degree in Medicine or Public Health is considered an asset and is desirable for candidates applying for this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of professional experience in EPI or Child Health Programs. This experience should include providing technical advice and services to national counterparts, particularly the Ministry of Health, and working with external partners on EPI programs. Experience in managing diverse teams is also essential. Desirable experience includes relevant work with WHO, UN agencies, and health cluster partners, as well as experience in non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English is mandatory, while good knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset. Proficiency in both languages will enhance communication and collaboration with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. A written test may be used as a screening method. Candidates selected for interviews will need to provide scanned copies of their educational qualifications. WHO emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all candidates must adhere to the highest ethical standards. The position is a consultancy role, and consultants will be responsible for their own taxes and contributions. WHO requires proof of vaccination for candidates before undertaking assignments, except in cases where medical conditions prevent vaccination.