QUALIFICATIONS
Background
HPV is a prevalent viral infection of the reproductive tract and can lead to various conditions in both men and women, including precancerous lesions that may progress to cancer.
Research have demonstrated that a single dose of HPV vaccine is sufficient to elicit an immune response that provides similar protection as a multidose regimen against initial and persistent HPV infection.
Global cost-effectiveness analysis also suggest that vaccinating pre-adolescent girls is usually cost-effective for cervical cancer prevention, particularly in resource constrained settings where other control measures often have limited coverage.Vaccinating multiple age cohorts (MAC) is predicted to result in significantly faster impact of vaccination compared with single age cohort vaccination. Further evidence also shows that a single-dose MAC strategy can save a comparable number of lives as a two-dose MAC strategy. It also provides a comparable efficacy and duration of protection as a two-dose schedule.This may offer programmatic advantages, be more efficient and affordable, and contribute to improved coverage.
Based on this background and in line with the WHO SAGE recommendations on HPV vaccination, and review of country-level epidemiological evidence and in-country HPV delivery strategies, countries are progressively introducing HPV MAC and switching to the single dose regimen as a key step in HPV infection control.
It is against this background that WHO would like to hire a consultant to support country- level HPV routinisation and Routine Immunisation Strengthening activities.
Task/Assignment
Under the supervision of the WHO EPI team lead, the leadership of the WHO Country Representative and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health the consultant will support the conduct of the following activities:
1. Conduct “missed opportunities for vaccination” analysis, including root cause analysis.
2. Strengthen microplanning and outreach for HPV routinization and Routine Immunisation Strengthening.
3. Conduct post-campaign and routine immunisation strengthening activities e.g. best practices and lessons learned.
4. Implement and strengthen delivery strategies for school-aged and adolescents touchpoints, through reprogrammming/reallocation of HSS grants
5. Assist in vaccine management as part of coverage improvement plan e.g. doses at risk of expiry, supply availability/distribution.
6. Support the conduct of Catch- up activities such as Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunisation, Mop-ups and the Big Catch- up activities.
7. Support mapping of Zero- dosed populations and missed communities and develop strategies to reach them.
8. Support the use of data to prioritize low performing subnational facilities for enhanced support.
9. Support the implementation of the Zero-dose and Urban Immunisation strategies to bridge equity and access gaps.
Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages
Education Qualifications
Essential: Master’s degree in Public Health or any related field
Desirable : Training in Vaccinology or Epidemiology or Data Management or Public Health Policy Development and Implementation
Work Experience
Essential: Five years of experience in Immunisation.
Experience in developing Gavi applications, new vaccine introduction guidelines, HPV deployment, and EPI strategic plans.
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN and partner agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental organizations. An experience in maternal and child health programs including school health programs will be an asset.
Skills/Knowledge
· Demonstrated knowledge of immunization programs including HPV introduction, routine immunization, new vaccine introduction, and conduct of Supplementary Immunisation Activities.
· Working Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Languages and level required
Advanced English and local language in the area of assignment.
Competencies
· Teamwork
· Effective communication
· Producing results
· Knowing and managing yourself
- Report writing
Additional information
· WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuseof authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report toWHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated historyof SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
· WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
