OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving the financial protection against health related risks. The National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP) of WCO-India was launched in 1997 to work closely with the Union and State governments to support polio eradication activities in India. Following elimination of polio from India in 2011 and certification of WHO SEAR as polio-free in March 2014, NPSP continues to support the government in implementation of the Polio Eradication and End Game Strategic Plan (2019-23). Further, NPSP has transitioned to the National Public Health Surveillance Project by broadening its scope of work and is providing support for the intensification of routine immunization and vaccine preventable disease surveillance as a part of the overall health system strengthening, supporting the goal of measles and rubella elimination, introducing new vaccines, and addressing other public health priorities in consultation with the Government of India.
UNDERLYING VALUES AND CORE FUNCTIONS OF WHO
WHO's mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals(iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health. The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.9 billion people, with India's population of 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.
MISSION OF THE WHO COUNTRY OFFICE FOR INDIA
The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.3 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage. The WHO's Thirteenth General Programme of Work (2019-2023) is structured around three interconnected strategic priorities to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages; achieving universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies and promoting healthier populations.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India and direct supervision of Deputy Head of WHO Country Office, India, with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO India biennial workplans in accordance with WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy (2019-2023), the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:
1. Provide technical leadership, strategic direction and oversight for intensifying routine immunization, strengthening vaccine preventable disease surveillance, eliminating measles and rubella and introducing new vaccines in India in accordance with the Transition Planning Framework of WHO's National Public Health Surveillance Project (NPSP).
2. Provide technical advice, strategic direction and support for implementing polio end game strategy as per the Polio Eradication and End Game Strategic Plan and the Post-Certification Strategy.
3. Provide strategic advice and direction on research related to vaccine preventable diseases to enable evidence-based policy decisions for vaccine preventable disease control and elimination.
4. Collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure adequate preparedness for vaccine preventable disease outbreaks, especially for polio, measles and rubella.
5. Ensure close collaboration with relevant staff of Ministries of Health of national and state governments, as well as relevant partners and donors, for optimal coordination and support for control/elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases in India.
6. Oversee NPSP's human resource management by supporting recruitment and retention of high quality team members in accordance with WHO rules and regulations; implement HR development opportunities; and monitor and evaluate performance of NPSP personnel to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in existing and new roles.
7. Develop biennium programme workplans and budgets of NPSP, as per WHO requirements, and closely monitor implementation of these plans, including utilization and availability of human, financial and logistical resources to achieve biennial workplan objectives.
8. Collaborate with WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia on strategic areas pertaining to the polio endgame strategy implementation and monitoring, and transition planning of NPSP operations to support intensifying routine immunization, strengthening vaccine preventable disease surveillance, eliminating measles and rubella in line with Regional Director's Flagship areas, and introducing new vaccines.
9. Promote close coordination and communication between NPSP and the Communicable Disease Programme, Health Emergencies, and other technical programmes and administrative units of WCO India to ensure alignment and harmonization of technical, managerial, and administrative practices.
10. Support surveillance and response activities related to emerging disease threats and public health emergencies/disasters including linking VPD surveillance with the Integrated Health Information Platform.
11. Any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
Requisition number: 2300144
Position title: NPO (Administration & Finance – Field Services)
Grade: NO-A
Duration of contract: Two year
Posting Date: Feb 27, 2023, 10:27:39 AM
Closing Date: Mar 20, 2023, 4:29:00 AM
Contract type: Fixed-Term appointment
Duty Station: India- New Delhi
Link to apply:
- WHO Careers Website: Careers at WHO
- Vacancies (staff member access): https://careers.who.int/careersection/in/jobsearch.ftl
- Vacancies (external candidate access): https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl