EPI Officer (NPO) – Lusaka

• Location: Lusaka, Zambia
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-04-10

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of this programme is for WHO-EPI to provide technical assistance to Zambia’s National Immunization Programme(NIP). This support has helped Zambia achieve polio-free status, eliminate neonatal tetanus, and control measles, rubella, diphtheria, hepatitis-B,Rotavirus, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. WHO-EPI officers support for routine immunization, introducing new vaccines, and surveillance for prioritydiseases. They also assist various committees within the NIP and provide continuous support for vaccine safety and monitoring adverse events following immunization(AEFI). This support will now be extended to routine immunization and vaccines used in the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In close coordination with national Immunisation Program and Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority and National AEFI Investigation Committee, provide technical support in AEFI surveillance at national and sub-national levels. In close coordination with National AEFI Investigation team and ensure all the AEFI cases are timely reported and investigated, and technical reports are submitted Provide technical support to the National Immunization Program and Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority in conducting causality assessments of all reported serious AEFI cases. Provide technical assistance to National Immunisation Officer for causality assessment final report preparation and feedback to concerned provinces and districts. Coordinate with National Immunisation Officer and ZAMRA for reporting of serious AEFI case in Global AEFI surveillance database Provide technical support in updating of AEFI guideline, development of job aids and relevant training materials and monitoring tools for national and sub-national level training and orientation on vaccine safety and AEFI surveillance. Provide technical assistance in training and orientation as well as technical supportive supervision related to vaccine safety and AEFI at national and sub-national level. Provide technical support to strengthen risk communication activities at national and sub-national level and crisis communication during mass campaign. Provide technical support in research related to immunization and AEFI surveillance. Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisors. This includes duty travel or duty-station reassignment on short notice as per the program requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First University degree in health or pharmacy equivalent education from an institution recognized with valid registration in the relevant professional body
Desirable: Post graduate qualification in one of the following disciplines or allied disciplines would be considered an asset:General Medicine/ Paediatrics / Community Medicine/ Public Health / Epidemiology/ Global or International Health

Experience

Essential: Experience of working with national or international immunization programs and/or vaccine safety surveillance program. Prior experience of working with WHO/UN agencies. Prior experience of working in the government public health system Prior experience of working with NGO and/or INGO sector agencies.
Desirable:

Skills

Good interpersonal skills, able to work as a team member in a multi-cultural environmentAbility to travel within the country and to perform practical hands-on field work.Ability to participate actively and cooperatively in knowledge sharing and policyforums at various levels and to coordinate with the relevant agencies.Good knowledge in vaccine, immunization, and surveillance sector. Good analytical skills including ability to collect and analyse technical and clinical data and to draw and present technical conclusions in written and spoken form.Very good writing skills in English, including ability to write clear and concise progress reports, analytical reports, plans and proposals.Good clinical medicine,diseases, adverse event knowledge for application in vaccine safety and AEFIsurveillance.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Beginners knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at ZMW 821,470 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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 that 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 Manual.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The 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.

• The 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 can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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 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.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO also offers 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 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• 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. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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