Technical Advisor for Polio Eradication

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. It operates in over 150 countries and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. WHO aims to eradicate diseases, improve health systems, and respond to health emergencies, with a focus on achieving universal health coverage and health equity.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor for Polio Eradication will play a crucial role in supporting endemic countries, specifically Pakistan (PAK) and Afghanistan (AFG), in their efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis. The position involves providing technical guidance for the planning and coordination of Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) in countries affected by outbreaks. The advisor will be responsible for assessing the poliovirus situation, planning vaccine supply allocations, and coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure effective responses to any outbreaks. The role requires a deep understanding of public health, epidemiology, and the specific challenges faced in polio eradication efforts. The advisor will also be expected to monitor progress, identify risks, and develop action plans to address constraints to polio eradication, while promoting activities to enhance Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Technical Advisor include:

• Providing technical guidance for the coordination and planning of Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) in endemic and outbreak-affected countries.
• Planning and prioritizing the allocation of vaccine supplies, funding, and human resources based on a thorough understanding of risks and the poliovirus situation.
• Responding effectively to any importation of wild poliovirus or outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus in previously polio-free areas.
• Conducting assessments of outbreak status and the effectiveness of response efforts.
• Monitoring progress and identifying risks in assigned countries or sub-regions.
• Supporting the development of action plans to overcome constraints to polio eradication.
• Promoting and enhancing AFP surveillance activities, including rapid assessments and training of staff.
• Developing guidelines and tools for best practices in interrupting poliovirus transmission.
• Analyzing polio priority areas to understand root causes of transmission and progress in implementing strategies. 1
• Evaluating and documenting outbreak response activities to incorporate lessons learned into current practices. 1
• Managing approaches in assigned countries that contribute to polio eradication while strengthening routine immunization systems.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Technical Advisor position include:

• A university degree in medical sciences and a Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related health discipline.
• At least seven years of relevant experience in public health, including experience in developing country settings, with a minimum of four years focused on disease eradication, immunization, or infectious disease control.
• Significant experience with polio eradication programs and management of large-scale public health initiatives involving immunization.
• Experience working with international organizations and/or non-governmental organizations is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of public health and epidemiology, with practical experience in infectious disease surveillance and control, vaccine science, and disease eradication policies.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in medical sciences and a Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related health discipline. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to polio eradication efforts.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of relevant experience in public health, with a focus on disease eradication and immunization. This experience should include work in developing country settings, with at least four years dedicated to infectious disease control. Significant experience with polio eradication programs and large-scale public health initiatives is highly desirable, as is experience with international organizations or NGOs.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of Arabic is essential for this position. While other languages may be beneficial, proficiency in Arabic is mandatory to effectively communicate and collaborate with local stakeholders and partners in the endemic countries.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a competitive remuneration package, starting with an annual base salary of USD 84,672, along with a variable post adjustment reflecting the cost of living in the duty station. Additional benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. Candidates should be aware that WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of tobacco. The successful candidate will be required to confirm vaccination status as per WHO requirements before undertaking the assignment.