The World Health Organization research as part of its projects 01 Epidemiologists (SSA/NOA) – (2301080)

Grade: No grade
Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 6 Months
Job Posting: Feb 8, 2023, 11:58:37 AM
Closing Date: Feb 22, 2023, 11:59:00 PM
Primary Location: Cameroon-Yaounde
Organization: AF_CMR Cameroon
Schedule: Full-time

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

Under the overall supervision of the WHO Representative in Cameroon, and under the direct supervision of the Technical Adviser to the Expanded Programme on Immunization, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the following four areas of work at the middle and operational levels of the health pyramid:

• •  Strengthening routine EPI with a focus on zero-dose coverage and under-immunized children; including improving data quality and vaccine logistics;
  •  Strengthening surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases;
  •  Planning and implementing quality supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) against vaccine-preventable diseases;

•  Coordination of immunization programs and surveillance.

The support of the National Consultant will consist of: In terms of routine immunization:

•  Support the region and health districts in the planning of immunization activities, their implementation and monitoring/evaluation;
•  Strengthen the capacity of district and health area managers on the management of immunization activities;
•  Monitor the management of vaccines and vaccine consumables at different levels of the health system
•  Monitor/monitor the performance of routine immunization at the regional, district, health area levels and take measures to improve them in the worst performing areas including zero doses, under-immunized children or hard-to-reach areas;
•  Ensure the availability of routine immunization management tools at different levels and their correct use.
•  Provide support to immunization data management at the operational level.

In terms of epidemiological surveillance:

Support the region and districts in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of epidemiological surveillance activities and more specifically:

• •  Provide necessary support to districts for the development and quarterly updating of their polio risk mitigation plans or plans to strengthen VPD surveillance;
  •  Ensure the availability and updating of the various surveillance tools at all levels of the health pyramid (sampling equipment, different sheets);
  •  Support districts in planning and monitoring the implementation of active surveillance activities;
  •  Provide support in the implementation of essential surveillance activities (site visits, investigations, case validation, follow-up reviews, geolocation of cases, sample tracking,…) and formative supervision of PREBs and districts;
  •  Provide the necessary support for the implementation and monitoring of national monitoring plans as well as the recommendations of programme support mechanisms addressed to the intermediate and operational levels;
  •  Provide technical support to districts in the management of surveillance databases and ensure the quality of data entered into DHIS2;
  •  Strengthen the capacities of passive surveillance actors at all levels;
  •  Establish/strengthen networks of community-based surveillance actors (traditional therapists, other informal caregivers and other community actors) in each supported district and organize capacity building.
  •  Support investigation and early response to outbreaks as appropriate;
  •  Monitor the quality and transmission of SRM surveillance data on a weekly basis and provide solutions to anomalies or problems identified;
  •  Organize monthly monitoring with the regions and districts of the implementation of activities and monitoring performance, accompanied by monitoring reports;

•  Support the development of quarterly epidemiological bulletins by the regions;
•  Track the escalation of surveillance deliverables.

Supplementary immunization activities;

•  Support the region and health districts in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of Supplementary Immunization Activities against poliomyelitis, COVID19 or any other diseases;
•  Support the training and supervision of actors involved in AVS;
•  Identify difficulties and seek with local actors appropriate solutions for the success of AVS;
•  Support the regional ENP units in the development and transmission of the Dashboard and the results of the AVS in a timely manner;
•  Support the implementation of recommendations from lessons learned from previous campaigns;
•  Support the implementation of evaluations (independent monitoring and LQAS) and tracking of actors when applicable.

In terms of coordination:

•  Collaborate with the IVD Regional Coordinator of the Region in which he/she is assigned;
•  Participate in coordination meetings at regional, district level as part of routine activities and during AVS;
•  Support and attend the regional health delegation and health districts in the preparation of teleconferences;
•  Assist the region in the development of innovative actions to improve the performance of the programme;
•  Support the regional health delegation and health districts in the implementation of cross-border activities;
•  Produce individual weekly and monthly report;
•  Perform any other activity assigned to him by the hierarchy.

Qualifications and skills required
Training:

•  Hold a degree in Epidemiology or Public Health or equivalent.

Skills:

•  Skills in field epidemiology, data quality improvement and SNIS strengthening;
•  Good communication skills and supervise field operations;
•  Have a good practical command of computer tools and new information technologies in particular;
•  Be able to work independently, in difficult conditions and under pressure.
•  Good knowledge of WHO, UN system or NGOs at national/regional/district health level would be an asset;

Experience:

•  A minimum of two years of experience in immunization, epidemiological surveillance and disease control (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation);
•  Previous work for WHO, UNICEF or another international agency would be an asset.

Languages:

•  Perfect knowledge of French or English (written and spoken)
•  Knowledge of local languages would be an asset.

Important Notes:

•  Female candidates are strongly encouraged;
•  Only those whose applications have been selected by the Selection Committee will be contacted for the test.

HOW TO POSTULATE?

Click here to apply online