Surveillance Officers-Special Services Agreement (SSA)Vacancy-Job Ref: JKGHWHO/2401/2024800

Surveillance Officers-Special Services Agreement (SSA)Vacancy-Job Ref: JKGHWHO/2401/2024800
Accra (Ghana)
JOB DESCRIPTION

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is a public-private partnership led by national governments with six partners: the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the vaccine alliance. The initiative aims to eradicate polio. Despite significant progress, pockets of polio transmission continue to pose a threat, necessitating swift and targeted outbreak response activities.

As of Week 50, a total of 722 variant type 2 polioviruses have been isolated in countries in the WHO African Region, with the most recent virus confirmed, from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire also confirmed cVDPVs during the same week, posing a significant risk to Ghana.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office for Ghana continues to provide support to the Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service to improve population immunity against all forms of poliomyelitis and sustain the country’s polio-free status. The WHO seeks to engage national consultants to support the implementation of polio eradication activities, including the strengthening of routine immunization and enhancement of polio surveillance to quickly identify and respond to any new cases.

Description of duties:

Under the overall guidance of WHO Representative to Ghana and direct supervision of the GPEI Coordinator and the National Professional Officers (NPOs) for Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and Surveillance, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities in her/his assigned area of work:

1. Collaborate closely with Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service at national and sub national levels and GPEI partners to implement activities in the Polio Outbreak Response Plan

2. Strengthen and maintain a sensitive surveillance system within the framework of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) with a special focus on polio eradication, and vaccine preventable diseases as follows:

a. Support development and implementation of response plans

b. Support active case search, acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) case investigation, validation, 60-day follow up

c. Support mapping of high risk and special populations and provide technical support to areas that have these populations

d. Support Environmental Surveillance activities and operations.

e. Support epidemiological investigation, risk assessment and outbreak response activities.

1. Strengthen immunization services especially in high risk and special populations through:

a. Support to plan and conduct good quality Supplementary Immunization Activities

b. Support for mapping of high risk and special populations, development of micro plans and strategies in areas of assignment
c. Support for high-risk areas to conduct risk assessments and opportunistic immunization activities to increase population immunity.

d. Support capacity building activities for immunization personnel at all levels.

e. Monitor and evaluate the planning and implementation of activities related to polio eradication, routine immunization and vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) surveillance.
f. Conduct regular analysis and interpretation of epidemiological, surveillance and immunization data to support appropriate follow-up actions by the government and partners.
g. Support implementation of other health priorities as a part of WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy
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h. Undertake any other tasks/duties as assigned by supervisors
Education:
Masters in epidemiology, public health or related programme obtained from a recognized institution.

Experience:
· At least five years of public health practice in VPD surveillance, immunization and epidemiological analysis

· Demonstrated experience in the planning and implementation of mass vaccination campaigns

Relevant skills:
· Excellent Communication skills (both written and spoken);

· Ability to work independently and to meet deadlines

· Ability to write clear and concise reports

· Ability to work in different environments and multi-task effectively;

· Good presentation and inter-personal skills;

· Sound knowledge of WHO standards and policies such as the IDSR and IHR

· Knowledge and understanding of the functionality of EPI and surveillance systems at national, sub national, local and community levels of the health systems in Ghana

· Experience working successfully in similar position as outlined in the scope of work

Competencies:

· Moving forward in a changing environment

· Producing results

· Fostering integration and team work

Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of local language will be an asset.

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