National VPD Surveillance and Response 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's primary goal is to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, which includes addressing vaccine-preventable diseases through effective surveillance and response systems.

Job Overview:
The National VPD Surveillance and Response Officer will play a crucial role in providing national-level technical leadership and coordination for vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance and outbreak response. This position is essential for ensuring the implementation of sensitive, timely, and high-quality surveillance systems, as well as rapid responses to VPD outbreaks. The officer will work closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, as well as other partners, to enhance the effectiveness of immunization strategies and public health actions. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of VPD surveillance systems and the ability to utilize surveillance data effectively to guide decision-making and program improvements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Planning and Coordination: Provide technical leadership for national VPD surveillance and response activities, collaborating with the Ministry of Health, EPHI, WHO, and other partners. Support the coordination of national VPD surveillance technical working groups and task forces. Liaise with stakeholders involved in the Expanded Program on Immunization. Align and integrate VPD surveillance with Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response. Provide technical support for strategic and annual operational planning on VPD surveillance and response.
• Surveillance System Strengthening: Design, implement, and monitor sensitive VPD surveillance systems, ensuring adherence to national and WHO standards. Support the introduction of innovative surveillance approaches, including community-based and event-based surveillance.
• Outbreak Preparedness and Response: Support national and regional preparedness planning for VPD outbreaks, providing technical guidance for rapid investigation and response to outbreaks. Coordinate the development of vaccination activity plans and support evaluations of outbreak responses.
• Laboratory Surveillance and Linkages: Strengthen coordination between epidemiological and laboratory surveillance systems, providing oversight on specimen collection and testing.
• Supportive Supervision and Capacity Building: Conduct supportive supervision and mentorship for sub-national surveillance officers and health workers. Develop training materials and strengthen capacity for data analysis and outbreak investigation.
• Data Management, Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensure accurate reporting of VPD surveillance data, conduct routine analysis, and produce national surveillance reports and bulletins. Participate in surveillance reviews and program evaluations.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a first-level university degree in a health-related field, with a minimum of five years of experience in vaccine and immunization focusing on VPD surveillance and response. Candidates should have experience in coordination, planning, and monitoring of VPD vaccination campaigns at the national level. Desirable qualifications include postgraduate qualifications in epidemiology or public health and at least seven years of demonstrated experience in coordinating public health emergency management and immunization programs at national levels, preferably with experience in UN agencies or national institutions.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in a health-related field. Postgraduate qualifications in epidemiology, field epidemiology, public health, infectious diseases, or clinical specialties are desirable and will enhance the candidate's profile for this position.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of professional experience in the field of vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and response. Candidates with seven or more years of experience in coordinating public health emergency management, VPD surveillance, and immunization programs at the national level will be preferred. Experience working with ministries of health or international organizations such as WHO or UNICEF is also desirable.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential, along with knowledge of Amharic. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is a Special Service Agreement (SSA) contract at NO-C level, with a monthly remuneration of $3,598.00 paid in local currency equivalent. The duty station is Addis Ababa, and this vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test or video assessment may be part of the screening process. Candidates must provide scanned copies of their educational qualifications in advance if selected for an interview. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented member states.