Technical Officer (Immunization)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Angola is implementing its National Immunization Strategy (NIS) 2026-2030 with the objective of ensuring equitable access to high-quality immunization services and reducing morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. The program supports the strengthening of national and subnational immunization systems, the integration of immunization within primary health care (PHC), and the achievement of national, regional and global immunization goals, including Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030).Within the WHO Country Office, the Immunization program works closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to strengthen immunization policies, planning, service delivery, vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, data use, and program governance. Emphasis is placed on reaching underserved populations, reducing inequities in immunization coverage, improving program performance, and building sustainable national capacity to ensure long-term program resilience and country ownership.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1.Lead WHO's technical support to the operationalization of Angola's NIS 2026-2030, supporting the translation of strategic priorities into annual operational plans at national, provincial, and municipal levels, with costed implementation timelines and clear accountability frameworks.2.Lead WHO's technical inputs for Gavi grant management, including preparation of mid-year and annual progress reports, performance framework updates, joint annual review documentation, and lessons learned.3.Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to MoH/DNSP and provincial health directorates on routine immunization programme planning, budgeting, implementation, and evaluation, addressing specific bottlenecks at each level of the health system.4.Strengthen equity-focused microplanning processes at provincial and municipal levels, including facility-level micro-plans, outreach schedules, and mobile/fixed-post strategies designed to systematically reach zero-dose and under-immunized children and underserved communities.5.Promote and support the integration of immunization services within PHC platforms, including linkages with antenatal care, postnatal care, child health days, nutrition services, community health worker programmes, and community outreach, in line with PHC renewal principles.6.Lead technical support for the design and implementation of routine immunization intensification initiatives, including RED/REC (Reaching Every District/Community) approaches, immunization weeks, and targeted catch-up activities for missed children.7.Provide technical support for the planning and introduction of new vaccines, with primary emphasis on integration into routine immunization schedules and delivery systems.8.Strengthen the planning, implementation, and monitoring of supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) and campaign-based vaccination, including integrated campaigns, ensuring complementarity with routine immunization strengthening and NIS goals.9.Provide technical guidance to the MoH on the development and periodic review of immunization policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures, ensuring alignment with WHO norms, IA2030, and WHO/AFRO regional guidance.10.Support and strengthen the functioning of Angola's Inter-agency Coordinating Committee (ICC) for immunization, including the preparation of meeting agendas and technical documentation, facilitation of partner coordination, follow-up on agreed actions, and support to the MoH in their ICC role.11.Support and strengthen the functioning of Angola's NITAG, including the preparation of evidence-based dossiers for policy decisions, agenda coordination, documentation of recommendations, and follow-up on implementation.12.Strengthen pharmacovigilance and AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunization) surveillance systems, ensuring timely detection, investigation, response, and reporting in coordination with national regulatory authorities.13.Coordinate closely with the EPI Data Manager on the use of immunization coverage data for programme reviews, subnational equity analysis, and corrective action planning; contribute to joint supportive supervision with MoH and UNICEF.14.Lead WHO's technical inputs for Gavi grant management, including preparation of mid-year and annual progress reports, performance framework updates, joint annual review documentation, and lessons learned.15.Build the technical capacity of MoH counterparts and subnational health staff through structured mentoring, training workshops, and on-the-job coaching, with an explicit focus on sustainable national ownership of immunization programme management.16.Contribute to resource mobilization and technical alignment with complementary health systems strengthening investments (World Bank, European Investment Bank, Pandemic Fund), ensuring coherence with NIS priorities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level or equivalent) in medicine, public health, epidemiology, health sciences, or a closely related field, with a postgraduate qualification in public health, global health, or a related discipline.
Desirable: Medical degree (MD or equivalent) or doctoral degree (PhD) in public health or health sciences. Formal training in immunization programme management, integrated health service delivery, or health systems strengthening.

Experience

Essential: At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible international experience in the planning, training, and implementation of expanded programmes on immunization (EPI) or communicable disease control in low- or middle-income countries, including significant experience in sub-Saharan Africa.
Desirable: Demonstrated experience in immunization programme management at national level; experience working within WHO or another UN agency; experience with Gavi processes (applications, grant management, joint annual reviews); experience in integrated PHC service delivery or community health systems.

Skills

Demonstrated expertise in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating expanded programmes on immunization (EPI), with a strong focus on routine immunization strengthening and subnational NIS operationalization.• In-depth knowledge of integrated service delivery and PHC approaches, including equity-focused microplanning, outreach strategies, and linkages with community health systems.• Capacity to provide technical leadership to government counterparts and to navigate complex multi-level, multi-partner environments with authority and sound judgement.• Strong knowledge of immunization policy frameworks, including IA2030, the WHO/AFRO Regional Immunization Strategic Plan, RED/REC approaches, and Gavi grant management processes.• Ability to apply immunization and epidemiological data to programme management, equity gap analysis, corrective action planning, and Gavi performance reporting.• Ability to produce high-quality technical documents, policies, reports, and presentations for diverse audiences including government, donors, and partners.• Capacity to design and deliver capacity-building strategies that promote national ownership and sustainability of immunization programme management.• Willingness and ability to travel frequently within Angola

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Portugues.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 86,027 (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 3972 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

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