Technical Officer (Polio)

This position supports the global effort to eradicate poliomyelitis and reduce morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases by strengthening national immunization and surveillance systems. The role involves assisting Member States in implementing the Immunization Agenda 2030 and Global Polio Eradication Initiative strategies through routine immunization, supplementary immunization activities, vaccine introduction, surveillance, and outbreak response. The incumbent will work closely with WHO offices and partners to improve immunization coverage, especially among zero-dose, under-immunized, and hard-to-reach populations, while promoting equity and resilience in health systems.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide technical advice and implementation support for national immunization strategies, polio emergency action plans, and integrated vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) control activities.
- Support the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of routine and supplementary immunization activities, focusing on reaching vulnerable populations and reducing coverage inequities.
- Offer technical support for preparedness and response to outbreaks of wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus and other priority VPDs such as measles, rubella, diphtheria, meningitis, and yellow fever, following WHO guidelines.
- Strengthen surveillance systems for acute flaccid paralysis, environmental monitoring, and case-based VPD surveillance, including laboratory network support through assessments, training, and corrective actions.
- Compile, validate, analyze, and interpret epidemiological, immunization, vaccine-stock, and program performance data; conduct risk assessments; maintain dashboards and scorecards; and provide timely recommendations.
- Support workplans, budgeting, vaccine and supply forecasting, cold-chain and logistics planning, grant implementation, and donor reporting.
- Develop and disseminate technical guidance, standard operating procedures, training materials, monitoring tools, and best practices related to immunization, surveillance, outbreak response, and disease eradication.
- Plan and deliver capacity-building activities for national and subnational staff and partners, providing coaching and follow-up to improve program quality and performance.
- Support operational research, program reviews, and evaluations, including formulating research questions, analyzing findings, documenting lessons learned, and developing actionable recommendations.
- Promote integration of polio eradication assets with routine immunization, primary health care, emergency preparedness, and broader health system strengthening while maintaining essential eradication and surveillance capacities.
- Liaise with WHO technical teams, governments, GPEI, UN agencies, donors, and development partners to harmonize technical recommendations, resolve implementation challenges, and coordinate country support.
- Represent WHO in technical meetings, missions, workshops, and working groups; prepare technical reports, briefings, presentations, and communications for internal and external audiences.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

- Education: Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, immunization, vaccinology, health sciences, infectious or communicable disease control, global health, international development, or a related field.
- Experience: Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, including at least four years in disease eradication, immunization, VPD surveillance/control, or infectious disease prevention and control. Proven experience supporting national or subnational programs, analyzing surveillance and program data, and translating technical guidance into implementation. Experience working in multicultural environments and with partners across diverse geographical or cultural settings.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Desirable Education and Experience: A first university degree in medicine or a health-related science and/or professional training in field epidemiology, polio eradication, immunization program management, VPD surveillance, outbreak response, biostatistics, data analysis, or project management. Experience working outside the candidate’s home country, significant involvement in polio eradication or large-scale immunization programs, and familiarity with WHO, UN organizations, international NGOs, GPEI, or immunization partners. Experience in developing countries, fragile, conflict-affected, humanitarian, or outbreak settings is an advantage.

- Skills: Strong technical knowledge of public health, epidemiology, immunization systems, vaccine science, polio eradication, VPD surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, and WHO policies. Ability to analyze data, identify risks, develop practical recommendations, and manage projects. Excellent communication, facilitation, capacity-building, and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively with governments, communities, and diverse partners in challenging environments. Commitment to WHO values including integrity, accountability, gender equality, equity, inclusion, and teamwork.

- Language: Expert knowledge of English is essential. Intermediate knowledge of French, Arabic, or local languages is desirable.

- Remuneration and Benefits: The position offers an annual base salary starting at USD 86,027, subject to mandatory deductions, plus a variable post adjustment reflecting the cost of living. Additional benefits include 30 days of annual leave, dependent family allowances, home leave, and education grants for dependent children. WHO provides a smoke-free work environment, flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace. Mobility is a condition of employment, with assignments possible worldwide.

This is a temporary appointment at the P4 level for one year, subject to funding and satisfactory performance. The position is based in Islamabad, Pakistan, with the possibility of filling similar roles in other duty stations. WHO is committed to gender parity, geographical diversity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Candidates must adhere to WHO’s ethical standards and vaccination requirements.