Post Date: Feb 27, 2025

Closing Date: Mar 12, 2025

Reference: WHOAFG-2025-02-02

Number of Vacancies: 1

Salary Range: As per company salary scale

Years of Experience: 10 years

Probation Period: 3 month

Contract Type: Contractor

Contract Duration: 9 month

Contract Extensible: Maybe

Minimum Education: Secondary School

Gender: Any

About World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the technical and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership in global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical and implementation support and monitoring and assessing health trends. In Afghanistan, WHO works to improve the health and well-being of all Afghans by preventing and reducing mortality, morbidity and disability and strengthening health services in close coordination with national and international partners.

Job Summary

Working under direct supervision of the WHO Polio Team Lead in the Region and Polio Team Lead/AFG and the overall supervision of the WHO Representative, the Regional Polio Officer will undertake the following duties:

Duties & Responsibilities

Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance: 

1.      Oversee, supervise and monitor AFP surveillance activities in the region.

2.      Make his monthly plan and approve from his supervisor.

3.      Produce monthly report on the implementation of the monthly plan

4.      Ensure that all PPOs make monthly plans reflecting AFP surveillance activities, approve these plans and produce implementation report

5.      Maintain the AFP linelist, rec. files and hard/soft copies of AFP surveillance data for the region with support from ARPO/Data manager and PPOs.

6.      Ensure that updated rec. file is shared weekly with the country office on the specified day and time.

7.      Provide updated information on any activity related to AFP surveillance particularly zero dose and inadequate AFP cases and AFP case clustering, L20B+ and WPV cases.

8.      Regularly review the AFP surveillance network and include the health facilities which get operationalized

9.      Add the care providers and reporting volunteers into reporting network using the healthcare contacts information.

10.  Participate/supervise the training session for focal persons, healthcare providers and reporting volunteers

11.  Randomly Contact reporting volunteers by phone in remote and access compromised areas

12.  Keep balance between SIAs and AFP surveillance activities in monthly plans and allocate sufficient time for AFP surveillance activities.

13.  Supervise/monitor active surveillance visits by PPOs and Focal persons to ensure high quality of these visits.

14.  Produce Active surveillance/Zero report data to the country office on monthly basis.

15.  Analyze data on AFP surveillance and use the information for action. Share the information with Medical officer/ RPO and other relevant persons and field staff for corrective actions.

Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs):

1.      Provide technical Assist to provincial and district teams in the region for improving planning and microplanning for SIAs.

2.      Review and revise microplan after each round of with support from PPOs and DPOs,

3.      Conduct/Supervise training of cluster supervisors, FLWs, ICM, PCM, and LQAS monitors.

4.      Supervise/monitor SIAs and submit report to the Regional TL

5.      Support data collection, compilation and analysis after completion of SIA rounds.

6.      Report to Regional Team Leader any information related to access or issues related to implementation of PEI activities.

7.      Support the regional team in timely distribution of vaccine, logistics and supplies.

8.      Support and the district and provincial polio officers to achieve SIAs coverage above 95%.

Monitor EPI activities.

1.      Facilitate regular coordination meetings with all PEI/EPI implementing partners.

2.      Assist MoPH and oversee Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance and reporting AEFI.

Other:

1.      Assist the Regional Team Lead/Medical Officer on any other related tasks assigned like assignments from Regional Emergency Operational committee (EOC) and Regional Rapid Response Team (RRRT)

2.      Oversee that operational funds are used in transparent and effective way.

Job Requirements

Qualifications, experience and language requirements:

Education

Essential:

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• Medical Degree (MD or equivalent) is highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant technical and managerial experience with the PEI program is required.
• Experience in international agencies is an asset.
• Ability to maintain database is an asset.
• Good written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison.
• Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions.
• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team and adapt to diverse social and cultural background.
• Maintain high standards of personal conduct and integrity.
• Willingness to work long hours and weekends, especially during important activities such as conferences/meetings, vaccination campaigns, and other essential events.

Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Knowing and managing yourself

Functional Skills and Knowledge

• Integrity, objectivity, and professional competence
• Strong communication, facilitation, and inter-personal skills
• Effective time-management skills
• Strong capacity to embrace cultural diversity and sensitivity to gender issues
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ensure constant data protection
• Ability to work in a stressful environment

Languages

• Fluency in English and knowledge of the local languages is required

IT Skills

• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.

Additional Information

WHO maintains a strict policy against sexual misconduct, including any failure to act on such issues and any retaliation against victims, survivors, or bystanders who report or participate in investigations. In addition to technical skills, the recruitment, selection, and hiring processes will prioritize evaluating candidates’ alignment with organizational values, conducting comprehensive background checks, and reference checks. This approach aims to protect children and vulnerable adults from potential abusers and to prevent individuals with abusive histories from being employed at the WHO Afghanistan office. Any concerning information regarding sexual exploitation and abuse by WHO personnel or partners should be reported to the WHO Office of Internal Oversight Services at investigations@who.int. The organization is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion to ensure safe access to health services for everyone. Female candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are particularly encouraged to apply for this position.

Submission Guideline

Interested applicants (Afghan National) meeting the above qualifications are requested to submit their applications quoting this Vacancy Announcement Number (WHOAFG-2025-02-02) along with their curriculum vitae, copy of National ID (Tazkira) to below mentioned email: emacoafgvacancies@who.int

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. ONLY CANDIDATES UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEW AND TEST.