Consultant for Immunization Program

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Position Title: Consultant for Immunization Program
Location: Yaoundé
Country: Cameroon
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

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 has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, working to combat diseases, improve health systems, and respond to health emergencies. The organization plays a crucial role in coordinating global health responses and setting health standards.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for the Immunization Program will work closely with the Team Lead of the IVD Program to align and collate the implementation of routine immunization and Big Catch-up activities. This role involves liaising with the global BCU Task Team and regional focal points to provide technical guidance. The consultant will contribute to the WHO's global effort to recover immunization systems and close gaps among children following declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The position is critical in supporting the implementation of the Big Catch-up initiative, which aims to restore immunization coverage, catch-up missed children, and strengthen health systems to reach zero-dose children and communities. The consultant will be expected to facilitate timely reporting, validate monitoring reports, and provide technical assistance for the introduction of new vaccines, among other responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate timely reporting of BCU activities by liaising closely with global, regional, and country-level stakeholders.
• Provide global guidance and technical contributions to the country.
• Maintain linkages with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and other disease-specific initiatives.
• Review and validate quarterly BCU monitoring reports and assist with data collation at the national level.
• Identify challenges and opportunities for targeted technical guidance and early course correction.
• Contribute to technical/financial/donor reporting quarterly.
• Provide technical assistance for the introduction of new vaccines, including meningitis, hepatitis B, cholera, and mpox vaccines.
• Reinforce delivery and uptake of under-used vaccines, particularly COVID-19, malaria, and HPV vaccines.
• Strengthen routine immunization in line with national/regional/global policies and strategies, focusing on areas with high numbers of zero doses and under-immunized populations.

Required Qualifications:
Essential: Advanced University Degree in Public Health, Health Management, Epidemiology, or Infectious or Communicable Diseases. Strong analytical skills, project management skills, and excellent written communication and presentation skills are also essential. The ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative and flexibility is crucial. Familiarity with commonly used computer programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required. Desirable: Knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization information systems, as well as specialized computer programs like statistical software, would be an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Public Health, Health Management, Epidemiology, or Infectious or Communicable Diseases. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of public health initiatives and managing large-scale immunization programs effectively.

Experience:
Candidates should have between 5 to 10 years of practical national and international experience in managing and coordinating large-scale programs and initiatives, preferably related to immunization. A strong background in project management, particularly in global public health, is essential. Experience working in multi-cultural settings and with diverse stakeholders is also required. Familiarity with monitoring and learning in global health settings is beneficial.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of French is required for this position, as it is essential for communication within the region. Intermediate knowledge of English is desirable, which would facilitate broader communication and collaboration with international stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultant is expected to travel as part of their duties. This vacancy notice may also be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be used as a form of screening. Candidates selected for interviews will need to provide scanned copies of their required educational qualifications. WHO emphasizes workforce diversity and encourages applications from women and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization maintains a smoke-free environment and has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct. Consultants will work as independent contractors and will be responsible for their own taxes and contributions.