Team Lead (Expanded Programme on Immunization)

Описание

Team Lead (Expanded Programme on Immunization)-(2502561)Grade:NO-CContractual Arrangement:Temporary appointment under Staff Rule Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days):6 months

Job Posting

:

Closing Date

:Jul 16, 2025, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

:Ukraine-Kyiv

Organization

:EU_UKR WHO Country Office, Ukraine

Schedule

:Full-timeIMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings..

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

This position's core purpose is to lead the development and execution of national immunization strategies in line with global WHO recommendations and best practices, enhancing the country's immunization infrastructure and response capacity.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objectives:

The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 14th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (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 WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020–2025 –“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations about health. 
WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity .

Organizational Context

1. Work environment: The incumbent works under the managerial oversight and strategic guidance of the WHO Representative and Health Programmes Lead, and the expert technical guidance of the National Professional Officer on Immunization. S/he will closely work with different units in the health programmes like Surveillance, Laboratory units and other health related area of work. The incumbent will closely work with Disease Control and Elimination of VPI unit of the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/EURO), and other public health-related programmes as relevant.

2. The role of the individual: The incumbent is a national specialist in infectious diseases surveillance. S/he provides technical support and evidence-based advice, working jointly with the staff of the WHO Country Office and WHO/EURO and in close contact with the Ministry of Health, Public Health Center of Ukraine, and other relevant authorities and counterparts. 

3. Available guidelines: Include the European Programme of Work (EPW), GPW 14, SDGs, Biennial Collaborative Agreement and Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), national goals and priorities of Governments, UN and other relevant partners; WHO Immunization Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind, WHO Staff Rules and Regulations, WHO Manual, General Programme of Work, WHA and RC resolutions and technical documents related to immunization, cold chain, pharmacovigilance, VPD ssurveillance, Programme Budget, and other WHO basic documents. Programme specific guidance include technical documents related to Regional Action Plans.

Summary of Assigned Duties 

Under the overall guidance of the Head of WHO Office in Ukraine and direct supervision of the Health Programme Lead, with close collaboration with the Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization (Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization
(Flagship) VIF) unit in WHO European Regional Office in Copenhagen, the incumbent will undertake the following specific responsibilities:

Team Management and Strategic Alignment: Manage a team of experts, ensuring alignment with national and international public health and immunization goals. Focal Point for Coordination: Serve as the main focal point coordinating WHO immunization activities with the Ministry of Health (MoH), national authorities, and relevant stakeholders. Policy and Strategic Development: Collaborate with MoH on the development, implementation, and evaluation of immunization policies, strategies, and operational plans. Technical Guidance and System Strengthening: Provide technical guidance to strengthen national immunization systems, including cold chain infrastructure, vaccine procurement, distribution, and delivery mechanisms. Introduction of New Vaccines: Support and provide technical assistance for introducing new vaccines into the National Immunization Schedule. Capacity Building and Training: Enhance capacities of health workforce and service providers through training programs and consultations on immunization, surveillance, and outbreak response. Partnership Coordination and Collaboration: Coordinate with professional associations, NGOs, and other partners to implement comprehensive vaccination programs, ensuring alignment with global immunization goals. Preparedness and Response Support: Support planning and implementation of immunization-related preparedness and response activities during disease outbreaks or public health emergencies. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting: Monitor, evaluate, and report immunization coverage, effectiveness, and impact through systematic data collection, surveillance, and reporting mechanisms, producing comprehensive performance reports. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement: Promote immunization as a key public health priority through policy advocacy, partnership development, and engagement with national and international health stakeholders, undertaking additional duties as assigned by WHO management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Competencies

*Mandatory
*1) Teamwork
*2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
*3) Communication
4) Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Functional knowledge and skills

Demonstrated knowledge of immunization, infectious diseases surveillance, pharmacovigilance, cold chain systems and global and regional standards. Familiarity with primary health care, laboratory and public health systems. Knowledge of the principles of health information, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Demonstrated analytical, presentation, and report-writing skills. Proven ability to work comfortably in an international, multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment. Demonstrated knowledge of the goals and procedures of international organizations (United Nations system, donors, major non-governmental organizations) Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others do the same

Education

Essential: University degree (bachelor’s level) in medicine, public health, health Management, or any relevant filed
Desirable: Master’s degree or advanced training in any of the above.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of relevant experience in immunization programmes/projects (implementing, , emergency, surveillance, disease control, policy recommendations or public health programmes. 
Desirable: Good knowledge of the national immunization and other relevant systems in Ukraine.

Use of language skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of Ukrainian and English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other Official WHO Languages.