National Professional Officer (Immunization)

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Position Title: National Professional Officer (Immunization)
Location: Kabul
Country: Afghanistan
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's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO works to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health. The organization focuses on various health issues, including disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency response, aligning its strategies with the health development agendas of member states.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer (Immunization) position is crucial for the effective implementation of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Afghanistan. The officer will be responsible for liaising with national counterparts and stakeholders to develop and enhance immunization plans, ensuring that vaccination campaigns are well-organized and executed. This role involves monitoring the implementation of immunization activities, ensuring the availability of vaccines and necessary equipment, and compiling data on the impact of vaccines. The officer will also support research initiatives related to vaccines and contribute to the training of national vaccinators. The position requires a proactive approach to strengthen health systems and improve vaccine preventable disease surveillance, ultimately aiming to transition WHO-supported initiatives to government-supported frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Liaise with national counterparts and stakeholders to develop the Expanded Programme on Immunization plan in Afghanistan.
• Assist Member States in strengthening the evaluation and monitoring of immunization activities.
• Collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other health-related entities to plan and organize vaccination campaigns.
• Monitor the implementation of planned immunization activities and ensure the availability of potent vaccines and necessary injection materials.
• Compile and share information regarding the impact of established and newly introduced vaccines in the national immunization schedule.
• Submit project proposals for extending existing healthcare networks and strengthening current systems.
• Support vaccine research, including coordinating clinical trials of new vaccines relevant to Afghanistan.
• Participate in training and capacity building of national vaccinators in immunization and vaccine-related areas.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of guidelines for evaluating the impact of newly introduced vaccines. 1
• Work with Member States to transition WHO-supported vaccine preventable disease surveillance systems to government-supported institutions.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a university degree in a health-related science such as medicine or public health, with a specialization in immunization or vaccine-related areas. Desirable qualifications include a Master's degree in Medicine, Epidemiology, or Public Health. Candidates must possess sound knowledge of WHO's policies and practices, excellent understanding of disease burden and surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases, and the ability to apply these in a country office setting. Strong interpersonal skills, innovative problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to gender equality in health initiatives are also essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a university degree in a health-related field, such as medicine or public health, with a specialization in immunization or vaccine-related areas. A Master's degree in a relevant field is desirable, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of public health issues related to immunization.

Experience:
At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in immunization and vaccine development programs is required. This experience should include demonstrated professional involvement at the national level, providing support to Member States and evaluating vaccine preventable diseases and immunization programs. Desirable experience includes firsthand working experience in a developing nation, which would provide valuable insights into the challenges faced in such contexts.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential, along with expert knowledge of Dari and Pashto. These language skills are crucial for effective communication with local stakeholders and for the successful implementation of immunization programs in Afghanistan. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, meaning that only applications from nationals of Afghanistan will be accepted. The remuneration for this position starts at an annual base salary of USD 53,759, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. The role includes 30 days of annual leave. Candidates should be aware that a written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be part of the screening process. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging 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 to ensure adherence to WHO's ethical standards.