OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To promote the organization and effective operation of a comprehensive immunization programme covering the entire population with the objective of reducing morbidity and mortality from target vaccine-preventable diseases, including common causes of mortality among children and mothers.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Medical Officer, EPI, and guidance of the WHO Representative in the Philippines, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

• Promote synergy and close collaboration with the relevant DOH offices, WHO Regional Office and Headquarters and relevant programmes within the WHO country office (MCH, EHA, EMT, etc.) to support the DOH in producing desired outcomes necessary to attain the goals of GVAP and the UHC. Assist the DOH in exploring internal and external (such as the Middle Income Country Strategy Task Force) opportunities and implementing strategies to access sustainable financing mechanism for immunization and VPD surveillance, including strengthening of systems and tools to ensure consistent availability of safe, effective and affordable vaccines.
• In consultation with the Regional Office and Headquarters, actively participate in the dialogue with government couterparts and mobilize strategic partners in obtaining ethical and evidence-based information, developing necessary guidelines, monitoring and evaluating interventions that strengthen the health system components to improve access and utilization of safe and effective vaccines and maintaining quality immunization services and surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Foster partnership with other government and non-government agencies, private sectors, civil societies, academe, professional organizations and other local and international agencies to mobilize necessary resources and support the implementation of the EPI comprehensive multi-year plan (cMYP), the Reaching Every Purok (REP) strategy and maintain collaborative approach building of national and sub-national capacities for advocacy, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Articulate research agenda and generating, managing and disseminating knowledge to guide decision-making, planning and implementing VPD surveillance and immunization programmes. Support conduct of operational research and epidemiological studies to determine burden of disease, assess prevailing situation, explore existing gaps and document lessons learned and best practices. Set example on the effective use of data for action and support DOH in producing information package to strenghten the VPD surveillance system and immunization programmes.
• Support health promotion and demand generation for immunization through effective advocacy, communication and social mobilization strategies and approaches. Disseminate information, tools and other resources to concerned DOH offices to address issues related to vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination movement.
• Support the Team Leader in managing EPI work plan, budget planning, and supervising SSAs, interns and volunteers. Participate in the WHO planning process for the Philippines' Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) by providing inputs and ensuring it is in sync with the DOH EPI strategic plan.
• Prepare reports and provide updates to the WHO Representative and the regional office on issues relevant to the preceding items.
• Perform other duties as maybe required by the WHO Representative.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: A university degree inmedical relatedfield or public health.
• Desirable: Post graduate training on epidemiology, public health and risk communication.

Experience

• Essential: At least 5 years of experience in policy making, strategic planning, programme management and implementation and monitoring and evaluation of health projects at national level. Experience on development of policy and strategies for national disease control programmes, planning and programme development, capacity-building, resource mobilization, data management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Desirable: Experience working with the Department of Health, local government units, and other relevant local and international partner agencies and institutions on immunization and disease surveillance.Experience in working in other developing countries is an advantage.

Skills: Knowledge of WHO strategies and policies for EPI, VPD and vaccine NRA. Knowledge on the use of different data management tools for immunization and surveillance. Skills in programme and budget planning, writing proposals, coordination , advocacy, communication, risk analysis, facilitation, resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation of health interventions. Ability to work strategically with the DOH, government and non-government organizations and other partners. Ability to identify and solve problems in difficult circumstances and ability to work under pressure. Leadership skills in multi-disciplinary and multinational environment Excellent analytical and organisational skills, with proven ability to elaborate and implement effective strategies. Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively and work as a member of a team. Ability to adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Source:https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=1900707&tz=GMT%2B05%3A30