Technical Officer (Polio)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To contribute to the eradication of poliomyelitis; reduce morbidity, mortality and inequities attributable to vaccine-preventable diseases; and strengthen resilient national immunization and surveillance systems. The programme supports Member States to implement the Immunization Agenda 2030 and applicable Global Polio Eradication Initiative strategies through high and equitable routine immunization, quality supplementary immunization activities, new vaccine introduction, effective surveillance, and timely response to outbreaks and health emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Provide technical advice and implementation support to Member States and WHO offices for national immunization strategies, polio emergency action plans, annual operational plans and integrated VPD prevention, control, elimination and eradication activities.
• Support the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of high-quality routine and supplementary immunization activities, with emphasis on reaching zero-dose, under-immunized, hard-to-reach and emergency-affected populations and on reducing inequities in coverage.
• Provide technical support for preparedness and response to importations or outbreaks of wild or vaccine-derived polio virus and other priority VPDs, including measles, rubella, diphtheria, meningitis and yellow fever, in accordance with WHO guidance.
• Strengthen acute flaccid paralysis, environmental and case-based VPD surveillance and associated laboratory networks through assessments, data review, action plans, training, monitoring and follow-up of corrective measures.
• Compile, validate, analyse and interpret epidemiological, immunization, vaccine-stock and programme-performance data; conduct risk assessments; maintain dashboards and scorecards; identify bottlenecks and provide timely recommendations to countries and partners.
• Support workplans, budgets, vaccine and supply forecasting, allocation and monitoring, cold-chain and logistics planning, grant implementation and timely technical and donor reporting as necessary.
• Develop, adapt and disseminate technical guidance, standard operating procedures, training materials, monitoring tools and best-practice products for immunization, surveillance, outbreak response, vaccine introduction and disease eradication or elimination.
• Plan and deliver capacity-building activities for national and subnational staff and partners; provide coaching and follow-up support to translate guidance into improved programme quality and performance.
• Support operational research, programme reviews and evaluations, including formulation of questions, analysis and synthesis of findings, documentation of lessons learned and development of actionable recommendations.
• Promote integration of polio assets and functions with routine immunization, primary health care, health-emergency preparedness and broader health-system strengthening, while safeguarding essential eradication and surveillance capacities.
• Liaise with technical teams at WHO headquarters, regional and country offices and with government, GPEI, UN, donor and development partners to harmonize technical recommendations, resolve implementation issues and coordinate country support.
• Represent WHO in technical meetings, missions, workshops and working groups as assigned, and prepare concise technical reports, briefings, presentations and communications for internal and external audiences.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education

Essential : Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, immunization, vaccinology, health sciences, infectious or communicable disease control, global health, international development or another field directly relevant to the functions of the position.

Desirable : A first university degree in medicine or another health-related science, and/or professional training in field epidemiology, polio eradication, immunization programme management, VPD surveillance, outbreak response, biostatistics, data analysis or project management.

Experience

Essential : At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, including at least four years in disease eradication, immunization, VPD surveillance/control or infectious-disease prevention and control. Demonstrated experience supporting national or subnational programmes, analysing programme and surveillance data, and translating technical guidance into implementation. International exposure through relevant work in a multicultural environment, with partners across different geographical or cultural settings, and/or on projects in different geographical or cultural settings.

Desirable : Relevant experience gained outside the candidate's homecountry; significant work in polio eradication or large-scale immunization programmes; and experience with WHO, another UN organization, an international NGO, GPEI or immunization partners, work in developing-country, fragile, conflict-affected, humanitarian or outbreak settings.

Skills

• Sound technical knowledge of public health and epidemiology, immunization systems, vaccine science, polio eradication, VPD surveillance, disease prevention and control, outbreak preparedness and response, and relevant WHO policies and guidance.
• Strong ability to analyse surveillance, immunization and epidemiological data, identify programme risks and bottlenecks, synthesize evidence and formulate practical conclusions and recommendations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of routine and supplementary immunization planning, campaign quality, zero-dose and equity strategies, vaccine introduction, vaccine supply and cold-chain considerations, and integration with primary health care.
• Ability to develop and adapt technical guidance, tools, workplans, budgets, training materials and monitoring frameworks and to support their effective implementation in country and field settings.
• Strong project-management, organization, technical writing, facilitation, presentation and capacity-building skills, with the ability to deliver quality outputs under competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively with governments, communities anddiverse national and international partners in multicultural, developing-country, fragile or emergency environments.
• Commitment to WHO values, integrity, accountability, genderequality, equity, inclusion and respectful teamwork.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:

who-enhanced-competence.pdf

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.

Desirable : Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Arabic. Intermediate knowledge of Local Language .

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 2488 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

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
• 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.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• 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.

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