EPI Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of World Health Organization(WHO) Country Office in Syria is to improve the health of everyone in thecountry, reduce mortality and morbidity through increasing access to qualityhealth care services by directing and coordinating its work throughcollaboration, cooperation and partnerships. To strengthen the national immunization program within the broader framework of the national health system, guided by the values and principles of Primary Health Care, this role focuses on improving immunization coverage, quality, and accessibility, while also enhancing governance, financing, workforce development, health technologies, information management, and service delivery. The ultimate objective is to contribute to better health outcomes through a robust and responsive immunization program.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Liaise with national counterparts at Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders in the development and implementation of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) plan, providing support to strengthen the evaluation and monitoring of immunization activities. Provide technical support to routine vaccination activities, including mass campaigns and outreach activities, with a focus on planning, preparing, and monitoring micro-planning at all levels, particularly for high-risk populations such as IDPs, refugees, slum dwellers, nomads, and minorities. Supervise the implementation of vaccination activities, ensuring the availability of potent vaccines, equipment, and injection materials. Provide the needed technical support for the planned training and capacity building workshops of immunization staff. Compile and share information on the impact of existing and newly introduced vaccines, submit project proposals for strengthen existing systems. Develop and monitor work plans and budgets, and follow up on the implementation of planned activities, in consultation with national counterparts. Support research initiatives, including the coordination of clinical trials for new vaccines, and contribute to the development and dissemination of guidelines for evaluating the impact of newly introduced vaccines in national immunization schedules. Monitor the utilization of resources for vaccination activities, ensuring proper reporting to management and donors on the progress of those activities. Assist in analyzing vaccination and monitoring data, and modify operations if needed, to improve immunization outcomes. Provide, or coordinate the provision of, technical advice, strategies, and policies for strengthening country capacity to implement, evaluate and monitor Universal health coverage/immunization programmes including financing of the systems. Support MoH in developing contingent plans for vaccination during emergencies, ensuring available resources on time. Lead efforts in ensuring proper management and monitoring of health development activities, providing technical advice to local authorities on integrating Primary and Community Health Care (PHC) into health systems, and advising on strategies to improve program performance and community health outcomes. Build partnerships and networks with stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration between priority programs, and support the development of inter-sectoral development programs and initiatives. Monitor the national burden of vaccine preventable diseases or factors especially through health information systems and health research activities. Engage with media and communication specialists to enhance visibility of WHO activities, improve public awareness on health topics, and support health education and awareness sessions aimed at increasing EPI coverage. Lead the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response activities, ensuring vigilance in disease outbreak detection, establishing mechanisms for medicine supply management, and implementing emergency medical services as required. The Immunization Officer will perform all other related duties as assigned, ensuring alignment with WHO's broader objectives and addressing emerging needs in immunization and public health.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree(bachelor's) in public health or related disciplines.
Desirable: Post-graduate training or specialization in one or more ofthe following disciplines: primary health care; health workforce; integrated healthservices; health systems governance and financing; and maternal, newborn, child.
 

Experience

Essential: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of immunization and vaccine development programmes. Professional experience providing technical services to Member States and other partners in public health programmes in resource limited settings. Experience with intergovernmental agencies, the United Nations System or WHO and knowledge of national partnerships and networks.
Desirable: Prior experience in implementing immunization and surveillance activities in stable and emergency situations, research proposals and data.
 

Skills

Very good knowledge of the health system in Syria. Knowledge and skills in programme management, for the development and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of successful public-health action plans, programmes, and interventions. Knowledge, skills, and results in coordinating integrated, multi-sectoral, public-health programme interventions, taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders. Knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in immunization and surveillance will be an advantage Skills to work effectively with national and international colleagues and partners in capacity building in resource-limited contexts. Excellent oral and written communication, including for reports, presentations and technical documents. Skills to advocate and communicate critical immunization messages.
 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Promoting innovation and organizational learning
 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local language.
Desirable: 

 

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 39,062 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
 

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 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 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 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.

• 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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