Polio Rapid Response Technical 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 objectives include combating diseases, improving health systems, and addressing health emergencies.

Job Overview:
The Polio Rapid Response Technical Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the Polio Eradication Programme by providing technical support and guidance to Country Offices and Global Polio Eradication (GPE) partners. This position focuses on enhancing the quality of outbreak responses and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) in various countries. The officer will be responsible for ensuring that preparations for polio outbreak responses are adequate and effective in stopping the circulation of polioviruses and boosting population immunity. The role requires collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including government health ministries, to align outbreak response operations with national health strategies and ensure that the needs of the population are met. The officer will work with minimal supervision and report directly to the Rapid Response Team lead, making this a position that demands both independence and strong collaborative skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will undertake a variety of tasks, including:

• Representing the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in-country and facilitating communication between GPEI and local partners, providing feedback on outbreak response progress and challenges.
• Supporting WHO/UNICEF country office heads with strategic oversight of polio outbreak response operations, ensuring alignment with government plans and adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Coordinating closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other partners to organize regular meetings and updates.
• Developing a national outbreak response plan in collaboration with MOH/WHO/UNICEF teams, including budgeting and human resources planning.
• Establishing outbreak response structures that encompass investigation, immunization, surveillance, and routine immunization strengthening.
• Producing updates on outbreak response activities for distribution to partners.
• Collaborating with the communications team to prepare an outbreak response communication plan.
• Ensuring logistical aspects of the outbreak response are managed efficiently.
• Undertaking additional responsibilities as assigned by country office heads or regional directors to support outbreak response efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a degree in health sciences with postgraduate training in public health, such as epidemiology or disease control. Essential skills include strong management, leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities, with a proven capacity to work in diverse and multicultural environments. Candidates should demonstrate excellent analytical and writing skills, with the ability to impart knowledge through training. A clear understanding of design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, management, and assessment is crucial, along with expertise in vaccine logistics and disease surveillance. Proficiency in standard office software is also required.

Educational Background:
A degree in health sciences is essential, complemented by postgraduate training in public health disciplines such as epidemiology or disease control. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of public health initiatives and the specific challenges associated with polio eradication efforts.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of experience in polio and vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), particularly in supplemental immunization activities and outbreak response in complex situations. This level of experience is necessary to navigate the challenges of public health emergencies effectively and to implement successful vaccination campaigns.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge of English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language. The ability to write technical reports and deliver oral presentations in both languages is essential. Knowledge of additional UN languages would be considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities in a diverse work environment.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a competitive salary starting at USD 77,326 annually, with additional benefits including a variable post adjustment based on the cost of living, 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. The WHO emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and abuse. Candidates must confirm their vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking assignments, and the organization promotes a smoke-free environment.