National Professional Officer (VPD Surveillance) - World Health Organization (Apply by: April 19, 2016)

Vacancy Notice No: SE/CO/NPO/2016/FT7  Title: National Professional Officer (VPD Surveillance)  Grade: NO-C  Contract type: Fixed-term Appointment  Duration of contract:  Two Years	Date: 29 March 2016  Application Deadline: 19 April 2016  (9 day(s) until closing deadline)  Currently accepting applications  Duty Station:  New Delhi, India     Organization unit: SEARO Countries (SE_ACO) / SE_IND WR Office, India (SE_IND)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans in the area of vaccine preventable diseases. The WCO-India programme of work supports the GOI in :   To develop strategies for prevention and control of vaccine preventable diseases;  Formulate evidence based public health policies and intervention;  Strengthen disease surveillance and risk factors and monitoring implementation of integrated communicable disease prevention;  Promote equity of health care;  Capacity building through training manpower;  Building partnerships and develop stronger networks through liaison between concerned departments/Ministries./institutions responsible for execution of GoI/WHO collaborative programme. Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO All the Member States of WHO in the South East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.  The seven point global health agenda contained in WHO's Eleventh General Programme of Work (2006-2015) includes: (i) investing in health to reduce poverty; (ii) building individual and global health security; (iii) promoting universal coverage, gender equality and health related human rights; (iv) tackling determinants of health; (v) strengthening health systems and equitable access; (vi) harnessing knowledge, science and technology; and (vii) strengthening governance, leadership and accountability.  WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The South -East Asia Region of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's population of 1.2 billion. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate. Mission of the WHO Country Office for India  Within the framework of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in: (i) developing and sustaining its own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health.
Description of duties: Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India, the direct supervision of Deputy Project Manager-Technical, with a view to help achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India biennial work plans in accordance with WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India (2012-2017), as part of a broader WCO-India team working on Universal Health Coverage goals the incumbent will have the following responsibilities: 1. Provide technical oversight and strategic guidance for establishment of laboratory supported surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases in India; 2. Provide strategic oversight for using the experience and best practices of surveillance for poliovirus detection to establish surveillance for other vaccine preventable diseases so that the benefits of polio eradication can be used for broader health system strengthening at primary health care settings; 3. Ensure strategic guidance to maintain poliovirus surveillance during the implementation of the polio endgame strategy as a part of the Global Strategic Plan 2013-2018;  4. Support the collation, management, analysis and use of surveillance data on the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases to drive decision making for policy development;  5. Contribute to operations research, evaluation and special studies related to control of vaccine preventable diseases and effective program strengthening activities; 6. Coordinate and supervise WHO activities related to capacity building for establishing and maintaining surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases; 7. Coordinate and work closely with WCO-India Health Systems and Communicable Disease teams as well as with all the partner agencies including UNICEF, Rotary and other relevant agencies on surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases as part of a broader Universal Health Coverage goal; 8. Develop policy documents, guidelines, annual work plans and budgets for surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases in the country. Provide technical assistance and support in the development and adaptation to the country context of the relevant WHO normative materials and guidelines; 9. Write and review reports on the quality of surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases for internal WHO review as well as for sharing with government and partners; 10. Develop proposals for donor funding for surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases; 11. Support information brokering/exchange function of WCO India through contributions to the health information repository at the WCO India by collation, analysis and sharing of relevant health information and statistics related to surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases; 12. Represent WHO-India as a designate member in technical programme and performance reviews to ensure sensitive surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases; 13. Contribute to the external relationships, representation, communication and advocacy work of the WCO-India aimed at improving health system transparency and accountability; 14. Ensure clear and accountable work plans linked to adequate financial and human resources are developed for vaccine preventable diseases and ensure implementation and impact; oversee project budgetary planning and resource mobilization activities;  15. Prepare draft reports, strategic documents and programme updates for policy makers and partners, and ensure the quality of programme bulletins, surveillance reports and other scientific publications related to vaccine preventable disease surveillance;  16. Support the monitoring of utilization of donor funding ensuring that the funding is utilized efficiently and appropriately as per WHO rules and regulations and that reports to donors are produced on time and according to the requirements of the respective donor agreements;  17. Submit a report of work done to the WHO representative at the end of each biennium.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: University Degree in Medicine. Desirable: Postgraduate degree or training in Public Health/Epidemiology/Public Health Administration/Organization of health services or control of Communicable Diseases. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an accredited institution. The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/
Skills:  Functional Skills and Knowledge: The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization. Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard to universal immunization with good understanding of country's needs and priorities, of issues and policies in various aspects of surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases and health systems organisation.Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas.  Good knowledge of the administrative functioning of government institutions and related departments/agencies, and of the other partners in India.  Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence. Public health leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues. Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors. Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment. Modern management skills (planning and evaluation, etc).Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.  Knowledge of WHO /UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage. Competencies: 1. Communication; 2. Teamwork; 3. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences; 4. Ensuring the effective use of resources; 5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond. Other skills (e.g. IT): Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications, especially Excel computer skills for making high quality data analysis and technical presentations.
Experience: Essential: At least 5 years professional experience in the development and implementation of health programmes at the national/state level in the area of epidemiology and control of communicable diseases with particular expertise and experience in vaccine preventable diseases. Desirable: Experience of work in UN and/or other international organizations.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and knowledge of Hindi.
Additional Information: This position is subject to local recruitment and will be filled only by a national of India, willing to relocate within commutable distance. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, child allowance, pension plan and medical insurance. Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WHO: http://www.who.int - To learn more about WHO's operations  http://icsc.un.org - Click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date
Annual salary: (Net of tax) INR 2,489,962 at single rate For Apply: Click Here