Program Officer, Measles Elimination

WHO - World Health Organization

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objective of the programme:

To strengthen vaccine preventable disease control including increasing and maintaining immunization coverage for all EPI vaccines, surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases; to eradicate transmission of wild poliomyelitis; measles elimination, introduce new and underutilized vaccine, to transfer technology for the laboratory diagnosis of Vaccine Preventable Diseases and strengthen national regulatory authorities.

Description of duties:

Under the direct supervision of Medical Officer-ISS and the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to Bangladesh, the incumbent shall perform the following duties in close collaboration with National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Bangladesh:

Provide technical assistance to the National Expanded Immunization Programme in advocacy, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to achieve measles, Rubella and CRS elimination;
Support the planning and implementation of strategies under the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI to achieve and maintain high routine MR2 immunization coverage and to reduce vaccination dropouts;
Strengthen measles-Rubella and CRS surveillance system to meet elimination standards. Support in capacity building SIMO network;
Assist in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) and outbreak response immunization activities;
Coordinate operational research on measles and rubella to inform policy and program improvements;
Develop policy documents, projects proposals, donor reports, and other documents related to measles-Rubella elimination;
Support the functioning of the National Verification Committee and other relevant EPI committees;
Provide technical support to the National Public Health Laboratory (NPML) for laboratory-related activities related to measles and Rubella;
Assist with immunization and surveillance data analysis and facilitate with sharing of information with the government and IVD network, Support data review process in DHIS2 to ensure accuracy and programmatic use of data;
Explore and develop innovative tools and technologies to improve MR vaccine coverage and surveillance performance. Provide support for GIS mapping, microplanning, and use of digital solutions to reach every child. Build capacity of IVD network;
Perform any other task as given by supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Essential: MBBS with Master of Public Health or equivalent post graduate degree in Public Health/Community and Social Medicine/Child Health;
Desirable: Training in epidemiology and disease control will be an advantage.

Experience:

Essential: At least seven years’ experience in EPI or Public Health;
Desirable: Experience in EPI and measles control program.

Functional Knowledge and skills:

Ability to collaborate with different institutions, organizations and personalities from the Government, NGO and private sectors, ability to work independently and creatively, willingness to travel;
Ability to work in cross-cultural environment and in a team;
Good knowledge of descriptive epidemiological data analysis and GIS mapping.