Roster -Medical Officer (Polio Eradication and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases)

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION ----------------------- To provide strategic medical and technical leadership for an integrated portfolio covering polio eradication, immunization-system strengthening and the prevention, control, elimination and outbreak response of vaccine-preventable diseases. The incumbent advises senior national authorities and WHO leadership, directs WHO technical inputs, manages multidisciplinary teams and resources, and builds high-level partnerships to translate global and regional commitments into equitable, evidence-based and sustainable country results. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME --------------------------- To eradicate poliomyelitis; reduce morbidity, mortality and inequities attributable to vaccine-preventable diseases; achieve regional and global disease-control and elimination targets; and strengthen resilient national immunization and surveillance systems across the life course. The programme advances the Immunization Agenda 2030 and applicable Global Polio Eradication Initiative strategies through high and equitable routine immunization, quality supplementary immunization activities, timely introduction of vaccines, effective surveillance, and rapid preparedness and response to outbreaks and health emergencies. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES --------------------- - Provide strategic vision, authoritative technical advice and overall technical direction for integrated polio eradication, routine immunization, VPD surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, and accelerated disease-control and elimination priorities. - Lead the development, review and implementation of evidence-based policies, national and regional strategies, emergency action plans, immunization strategies, costed multi-year and annual plans, operational guidance and accountability frameworks aligned with WHO recommendations and Member State priorities. - Oversee high-quality routine and supplementary immunization activities, including campaign optimization, reaching zero-dose and under-immunized populations, integration with primary health care, life-course vaccination, vaccine introduction and polio-transition planning. - Direct preparedness, risk assessment and coordinated response to importations or outbreaks of wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus and other VPDs, including measles, rubella, diphtheria, meningitis, yellow fever and other priority diseases, in accordance with global and regional guidance. - Ensure effective, integrated surveillance systems, including acute flaccid paralysis, environmental and case-based VPD surveillance and laboratory networks; establish performance standards and use epidemiological, immunization and programme data to guide senior decision-making and corrective action. - Lead monitoring, evaluation, learning and programme reviews; establish key performance indicators, data-quality improvement strategies and accountability mechanisms, and ensure timely, accurate reporting to WHO governing, managerial and donor mechanisms. - Manage the programme area and its human, financial and logistical resources; set team objectives, delegate authority, monitor performance, develop staff, manage risks and ensure efficient, compliant and timely implementation of workplans and grants. - Build, negotiate and sustain strategic partnerships and coordination mechanisms with government, GPEI and immunization partners, donors, technical agencies, civil society and communities; resolve policy or operational differences and promote harmonized recommendations and action. - Lead resource mobilization, grant development and stewardship, including investment cases, budgets, funding proposals, allocation decisions, timely utilization, risk management and quality donor reporting. - Strengthen national decision-making and institutional capacity, including NITAGs, NCCs, NPECs and other advisory bodies, through policy dialogue, technical assistance, training, coaching and transfer of knowledge to national and subnational institutions. - Promote and direct operational research, innovation and knowledge management on vaccines, immunization delivery, surveillance, disease eradication and outbreak reduction; translate evidence and lessons learned into WHO guidance, best practices and programme improvement. - Serve as WHO's senior technical focal point and as necessary and guided represent the Organization in high-level national and international meetings, partner and donor forums, technical briefings and, when designated, public or media communications on polio, immunization and VPD priorities. - Perform other related duties as assigned. REQUIRED QULAIFICATINOS ----------------------- #### Education Essential: A university degree in medicine and a masters degree in public health, epidemiology, communicable or infectious diseases, vaccinology, global health, health policy or another field directly relevant to the functions of the position. Desirable: Advanced professional training in epidemiology, communicable-disease control, immunization, vaccinology, outbreak management, health policy or programme leadership. #### Experience Essential: At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, including at least seven years in immunization, polio eradication, VPD surveillance/control/elimination and/or outbreak preparedness and response. The experience must include responsibility for policy, strategy and/or programme performance. Relevant international experience gained outside the candidate's home country is mandatory. Desirable: Experience in polio-endemic/high-risk, VPD outbreak-affected, low-performing immunization, fragile or humanitarian settings. Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and human and financial resources. Substantial work with national and international partners. Work with WHO, another UN organization, GPEI partner or major immunization partnerships; and demonstrated achievements in resource mobilization, donor stewardship, policy development, vaccine introduction, programme transition or large-scale campaign delivery. #### Skills - Detailed and comprehensive medical and public-health expertise in immunization systems, epidemiology, polio eradication, VPD prevention, control and elimination, surveillance, and outbreak preparedness and response; recognized ability to serve as an expert in one or more VPDs across organizational levels. - Demonstrated ability to formulate strategic vision; develop and negotiate policies, strategies, standards and investment priorities; and convert them into feasible, measurable programmes in diverse and resource-constrained settings. - Authoritative command of epidemiological, surveillance, immunization and programme data, including risk assessment, interpretation of complex evidence, and communication of clear recommendations to senior decision-makers. - Proven leadership in managing and motivating diverse multidisciplinary teams and overseeing human, financial and operational resources, grants, risks and performance. - Excellent diplomatic, partnership-building, negotiation, advocacy and resource-mobilization skills with governments, donors, UN agencies, technical partners, civil society and communities. - Demonstrated capacity to lead programmes and coordinated response in fragile, conflict-affected, humanitarian or outbreak settings and to connect emergency action with resilient routine systems and primary health care. - Excellent strategic communication, technical writing, public speaking and knowledge-transfer skills, with sound judgement in sensitive or high-profile situations. - Commitment to WHO values, integrity, accountability, gender equality, equity, inclusion and respectful collaboration across cultures. #### WHO Competencies - Teamwork - Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences - Communication - Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond - Driving the Organization to a successful future - Creating an empowering and motivating environment #### Use of Language Skills Essential: Excellent knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French and/or Arabic would be an asset. #### Other Skills (e.g. IT) - Expert use of standard office, presentation and collaboration software. - Ability to interpret epidemiological and programme dashboards and to use or direct the use of data-analysis, visualization and geographic information tools. - Ability and willingness to travel, including to field locations and emergency or outbreak settings, as required. REMUNDERATION ------------- WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 103,165 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in the duty station. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ---------------------- - Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework. - This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. - Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. - A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening. - In the event your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. - According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. - Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual. - The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment. - WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. - WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply. - Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request. - An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice. - WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates. - WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. - WHO also offers a wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully. - The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered. - For information on WHO's operations please visit: - Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply. - Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world. - Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. 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