Purpose of the Post:

WHO recommends pilot implementation of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine prior to wide scale use. The purpose of the pilot implementation programme is to answer critical questions related to programmatic feasibility, impact and safety of RTS,S/AS01. This position is established to provide in-country team coordination and oversight of the programme activities, assuring successful implementation of the MVIP in country. The Medical/Technical officer will serve as the WHO Country Office MVIP focal point. He/she will work in the WCO Team and in close collaboration with the MOH, PATH, IST, AFRO and HQ colleagues to fulfil the joint Immunization/Global Malaria Programme objectives in facilitating pilot implementation of RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine as described in the WHO position paper.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity:

The Goal of the MVIP is to provide an updated WHO policy recommendation on the use of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in young children in sub-Saharan Africa. The strategic objective is to provide timely availability of pilot implementation evidence on RTS,S feasibility, impact, and safety for submission to the WHO‘s SAGE/MPAC aiming for final data submission in 2022. To accomplish this, WHO will work closely with PATH in collaboration with the MOH and other partners, to support the introduction of the RTS,S vaccine sub-nationally through EPI programs in 3 countries (Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana), and will work with evaluation partners to collect data to answer questions on the feasibility, impact and safety of RTS,S to support the goal.

Organizational Context:

Under the supervision of the WR, the Medical/Technical Officer will serve as the WHO Country Office focal point for the MVIP in-country team working closely with the MOH focal point for the MVIP in the Pilot Country. The Medical/Technical Officer will coordinate with the WHO Regional Implementation Support Team to assure successful implementation of the RTS,S vaccine through the national EPI programme. The Medical/Technical Officer will support the MOH, including the EPI Programme and National Malaria control Programme to implement the MVIP, and to reach and report on targets and milestones according to the agreed upon timelines. The incumbent will be the primary in-country contact and liaison to the MVIP teams at WHO HQ and AFRO, and in the other Pilot Countries. He/she will routinely update the AFRO and HQ Programme Coordination Teams and will notify them if timelines are at risk or in country issues arise, while participating in finding solutions. Likewise, the incumbent will be responsible for reporting to the MVIP lead on relevant findings from the pilot implementation.

The Medical/Technical Officer will have a key role in the In-country Malaria Vaccine Technical Working Group (MVTWG) providing support to and ensuring regular meetings of the MVTWG and facilitating frequent interactions between the MVTWG and the MVIP National Safety Committee. The incumbent will assist with coordination of efforts between the Evaluation Partners and the EPI programme. In consultation with and under the supervision of the WR, he/she will oversee the WHO MVIP Country Office team, including the Administrative and Financial officers. As such, he/she will be ultimately responsible for ensuring required reports and communications, including quarterly reports, are complete and submitted in a timely way. He/she will support the activities of the MVIP work streams: regulatory, ethics, vaccine implementation, pharmacovigilance, evaluation, supplies and communications.

The Medical/Technical Officer will maintain good communications with the MVIP team at HQ, AFRO, and PATH, with the MOH, especially the EPI and NMCP, with Evaluation Partners and other partners in country. He/she will take full advantage of the proximity to the MOH and partners, organizing face to face meetings to facilitate good communication.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

Support the WHO Representative in the following areas:

• As the counterpart to MOH MVIP focal point, supports the overall project coordination and resource management in country;
• Works closely with the National Government to support scientific, technical and policy aspects of the pilot;
• In collaboration with PATH and MOH focal points, facilitates work of the Malaria Vaccine Technical Working Group to ensure timely implementation of pilot activities across all work streams;
• Ensures appropriate liaison with Project Coordination Team and partners at global and regional level;
• Maintains a professional positive atmosphere in the country team;
• Serves as the focal point for the MVIP team at WHO HQ, AFRO and in the other MVIP WCOs;
• Serves as the liaison between the MVIP team at country level and headquarters, AFRO and country level partners;
• Updates the WR and, as requested, in-country partners on the progress of the MVIP

Competencies:

• Producing results
• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Knowing and managing yourself

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

• Demonstrated knowledge of principles, practices, methodology and techniques of RTS,S MVIP programme;
• Excellent capacity in programme management, coordination, and organization;
• Excellent understanding of malaria and EPI programme, and child health;
• Ability to work as a team member, and sensitivity to working in a multi-cultural environment;
• Outstanding communication and team building skills.

Qualification Required & Experience

• Essential: Medical degree and Masters’ Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology or other related field

• Desirable: Post graduate training of Masters’ Degree in public health or epidemiology.

Experience
Essential:

• A minimum of five years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in malaria and/or immunization programmes in low-resource environments;
• Demonstrated experience in working with MOH and partners on the development, planning, implementation or monitoring and evaluation of health strategies and programmes;
• Proven experience to work to deadlines and budgets, in collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Experience using data for decision making.

Desirable:

• Experience in immunization or EPI programmes;
• Additional experience in malaria control.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of English is required.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

• Proficiency in all MS Office applications, spreadsheets and data analysis.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested applicant should click on the link below:

Click Here To Apply Online

Closing Date: 15 July, 2018