Medical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the program is to: 1.strengthen vaccine preventable disease control, including increasing and maintaining immunization coverage for all EPI vaccines, conducting surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases; 2. Maintain zero polio case; achieve measles elimination,3. Introduce new and under utilized vaccine and 4. Transfer technology for the laboratory diagnosis of Vaccine Preventable Diseases

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is responsible to carry out the following activities related to immunization and vaccine development to assist national immunization programme and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Bangladesh: i)Strengthen Immunization systems and specifically:

1.Develop and apply innovative methods to increase and maintain access to high immunization coverage in hard to reach and difficult areas

2.Plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate the introduction of new vaccines that have been planned or under consideration by government of Bangladesh, I.e., Human Papilloma vaccine, Japanese encephalitis vaccine and Rota virus vaccine.

3.Facilitates strengthening urban immunization strategic plan. Assist the authorities in capacity building, monitoring and review of urban immunization activities including surveillance in city corporations and municipalities.

4.Assist in preparing country specific training materials and guidelines in support of the above.

5.Facilitate integration of other public health interventions to immunization

6.Facilitate strengthening of health systems for immunization

7.Provide support for implementation and monitoring of GAVI supported activities

8.Provide support for implementation and monitoring of COVID vaccination

9.i.Establish and institutionalize Immunization monitoring system including dashboards, review meetings and app-based dashboards

ii) Support in, implementation, monitoring and evaluation national measles, rubella and CRS elimination strategic plan

iii) Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate integrated surveillance of AFP, Measles, Neonatal Tetanus, Japanese Encephalitis, rota and IBD

iv) Facilitate implementation of national plan for polio eradication in line with global polio eradication and support smooth polio transition as per Polio Transition plan with special focus on polio legacy planning to use lessons learn from polio eradication and polio infrastructure for other priority public health interventions in Bangladesh) Work closely with other categories in WCO BAN towards integrated services and systems strengthening

10.Submission of assignment report on end of contract (mandatory); and

11.Any other duties assigned by the supervisor or WHO Representative

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Medical degree with postgraduate degree in epidemiology/ public health/ control of communicable disease.
Desirable: Training in field epidemiology, emergencies

Experience

Essential: At least seven (7) years of experience in EPI and vaccine preventable disease control some of which should have been obtained in an international context in communicable disease control.
Desirable: Experience in new vaccine introduction, polio eradication, measles elimination and resource mobilization.

Skills

Essential: Demonstrated knowledge of communicable disease control, epidemiology, and laboratory diagnosis specifically for EPI diseases. Knowledge of clinical and laboratory surveillance. Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated willingness and ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international level.

Desirable: Experience of EPI programme management in developing countries.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

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 77,326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3273 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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.

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• 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.

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