National Professional Officer (EPI and Surveillance)

Job Advertisement

Position Title: National Professional Officer (EPI and Surveillance)
Location: Banjul
Country: Gambia
Deadline Date:

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's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees in more than 150 countries, WHO works in various areas including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and emergency response. The organization operates in multiple countries, focusing on improving health outcomes and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer (EPI and Surveillance) position is crucial for the effective implementation of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in The Gambia. The officer will be responsible for planning, monitoring, and reviewing the EPI program, ensuring that every child and high-risk group is vaccinated with high-quality vaccines against target diseases. The role involves close collaboration with regional management teams, health facilities, and partners to collect and analyze routine EPI data, supervise sentinel surveillance sites, and maintain polio-free status indicators. The officer will also work with the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare to achieve national disease surveillance targets for epidemic-prone diseases, contributing to the overall health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security of the population.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in the planning, monitoring, and review of the EPI program, ensuring the implementation of the EPI work plan.
• Collect routine EPI data from regions, adhering to timeliness and quality indicators, and provide feedback to health facilities and partners.
• Supervise data collection from sentinel surveillance sites in collaboration with relevant laboratories.
• Support the maintenance of indicators for polio-free status for various national committees.
• Assist with the timely utilization and reporting of EPI funds.
• Collaborate with the Epidemiological and Disease Control Unit to meet national disease surveillance targets.
• Perform any other duties related to EPI and surveillance as requested by the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with health development partners.

Required Qualifications:
Essential: A First University Degree in a medical field. Desirable: A Master's Degree in Public Health or a related field. Candidates must possess excellent knowledge and experience in disease surveillance and immunization programs, with proven competence in program analysis, planning, training, and data analysis. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively in English and a relevant local language are also essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have at least a First University Degree in a medical field. A Master's Degree in Public Health or a related field is desirable, indicating a higher level of expertise in public health issues and practices.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of professional experience in EPI or Child Health Programs. Desirable experience includes prior involvement in the establishment, implementation, and monitoring of disease surveillance, particularly for vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as experience working with UN agencies.

Languages:
Essential: Expert knowledge of English is mandatory. Desirable: A beginner's knowledge of French is considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, meaning only applications from nationals of The Gambia will be accepted. The remuneration package includes an annual base salary starting at GMD 1,636,822, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. The position offers 30 days of annual leave. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented Member States. Candidates must provide proof of vaccination as required by WHO before undertaking assignments, with specific vaccination requirements based on country regulations. The WHO maintains a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or tobacco users.