National Professional Officer - Vaccine Preventable Diseases

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. With a workforce of over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, and articulating evidence-based policy options. WHO's work is guided by the General Programme of Work (GPW) and the European Programme of Work, which focus on health equity and strengthening health systems.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) will play a crucial role in assisting the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in enhancing the surveillance systems for VPDs. This position is vital for ensuring that the WHO Regional Office for Europe can effectively respond to health challenges and lead efforts in disease preparedness and control. The incumbent will work under the guidance of the Head of WHO Office in Ukraine and the Health Programme Lead, collaborating closely with the Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization unit in Copenhagen. The role involves implementing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, supporting capacity-building initiatives, and providing technical advice to strengthen disease surveillance networks. The officer will also contribute to national and international epidemiological assessments and ensure that health policies are informed by evidence and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for VPD surveillance, case investigation, reporting, and response.
• Serve as a technical focal point for disease-specific risk assessments and responses to VPD outbreaks, focusing on measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis.
• Coordinate capacity-building and training initiatives on VPD surveillance and outbreak response.
• Provide technical advice to enhance lab-based disease surveillance networks and identify priority pathogens for sequencing.
• Support the establishment of an environmental surveillance system to complement routine VPD surveillance.
• Assess the relevance of event-based and syndromic surveillance initiatives to improve early warning systems.
• Assist national counterparts in conducting sero-prevalence surveys for elimination strategies.
• Contribute to the Epidemiological Bulletin and prepare updates on VPD epidemiological status.
• Liaise with national counterparts and partners to harmonize VPD-related activities across provinces.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a first-level university degree in medicine, epidemiology, health informatics, public health, or related fields. Desirable qualifications include a Master's degree or advanced training in these areas. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of infectious diseases surveillance systems and possess familiarity with national immunization and public health systems. Strong analytical, presentation, and report-writing skills are essential, along with the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and fast-paced environment. Knowledge of the goals and procedures of international organizations is also important.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a first-level university degree (Bachelor's level) in relevant fields such as medicine, epidemiology, health informatics, or public health. A Master's degree or advanced training in these areas is desirable, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of complex health systems and public health challenges.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of professional experience at the national level in health systems, public health, or infectious diseases surveillance is required. Candidates should have demonstrated experience working with public projects and engaging multiple stakeholders, including national policymakers and NGOs. Experience in planning and implementing health-related projects or programs is also desirable, particularly in the context of infectious diseases surveillance.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English and Ukrainian is essential for this position. Intermediate knowledge of any other UN language is considered desirable, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with international partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, meaning only applications from nationals of Ukraine will be accepted. The remuneration package includes an annual base salary starting at USD 47,491, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. Staff members are entitled to 30 days of annual leave. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all candidates will undergo background verification. The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of vaccination as per WHO requirements before commencing their assignment.