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Qualifications
Objectives of the Position:
The Immunization Preventable Disease (IPD) Programme of WHO Nepal has been providing continuous technical assistance to the Government of Nepal (GON) for over two decades, primarily in the areas of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance and immunization. In addition, WHO-IPD has supported the government in various emergency responses, including the 2015 and 2023 earthquakes, COVID-19 surveillance and response, and the introduction of new vaccines in national immunization campaigns. WHO-IPD operates through a nationwide network of 15 Surveillance and Immunization Medical Officers (SIMOs) working from 10 field offices, coordinated by a central office.
Since 2017, WHO Nepal has been providing technical support to the Government of Nepal (GoN) in developing the Polio Transition Plan. In line with the federalized context, Nepal developed the Polio Transition Plan (2023โ2030) through a consultative process. The plan aims to sustainโand, where necessary, repurposeโthe network and infrastructure established for polio eradication to strengthen broader health priorities, particularly essential immunization, disease detection, and emergency preparedness and response. The next step is to develop the Polio Transition Implementation Framework (2025โ2030), carry out key transition activities at subnational levels, and monitor progress in implementing the Polio Transition Plan.
The primary objective of this position is to provide technical assistance to the National Immunization Program under the Family Welfare Division (FWD) in all matters related to the implementation and monitoring of the Polio Transition Plan. The incumbent will support FWD in developing a timeline-based, actionable implementation plan (2025โ2030), advocate with provincial governments on the Polio Transition Plan, and develop transition-specific checklists, tools, forms, and SOPs to monitor progress in implementing proposed activities.
Additional objectives include supporting FWD in the development of monitoring indicators; building the capacity of provincial and district surveillance focal persons on VPD surveillance and polio transition; reviewing domestic budget allocation and utilization for VPD surveillance and transition activities; conducting meetings with provincial planning sections on annual work plans and budgets; and documenting provincial efforts on implementation of the transition plan through high-level meetings.
The position will also focus on strengthening municipal-level activities by training designated medical officers on VPD surveillance and outbreak investigation, as well as facilitating workshops and review meetings of the WHO IPD network on polio surveillance, eradication, and transition-related activities.
Description of duties:
Under the overall guidance of Team Lead- WHO IPD and direct supervision of the National Professional Officer (NPO) - Surveillance Cluster Lead, the โPolio Transition Support Officerโ will work in close collaboration with FWD, other relevant division and department within Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), provincial ministries and local bodies.ย ย
The incumbent will be based at WHO IPD Office, Department of Health Services (DoHS), to support FWD and relevant division/departments on all polio transition related activities. Specifically, the incumbent will:
Technical Support and Policy development
Provide technical assistance to the FWD, relevant MoHP divisions/departments, and stakeholders at federal, provincial, and local levels to review progress, identify challenges, and address gaps in Polio Transition Plan implementation.
Facilitate legal, policy, and structural reforms, including drafting provisions to integrate VPD surveillance into the Immunization Act through the amendment process.
Advocate for and support the establishment of dedicated surveillance units at all levels.
Coordinate with other WHO clusters to address programmatic gaps, issues, and challenges related to Polio Transition Plan implementation.
Support polio/VPD operational activities related to transition plan implementation, as required.
Advocacy, Coordination, and Stakeholder Engagement
Engage high-level stakeholders, including the MoHP, Ministry of Federal Affairs, National Planning Commission, and Ministry of Finance, to advance Polio Transition Plan implementation.
Facilitate provincial and subnational advocacy and review meetings on the Polio Transition Plan.
Organize national-level progress review meetings with the MoHP, other line ministries, stakeholders, and partners.
Conduct advocacy meetings with provincial Ministries of Health, including planning sections, for AWPB preparation to ensure sustainable financing of VPD surveillance, outbreak investigation, and management.
Coordinate with provincial ministries to assist local governments in establishing dedicated budget lines for VPD surveillance to ensure financial sustainability, ownership, and accountability.
Strengthen coordination mechanisms across federal, provincial, and local levels to maintain momentum and coherence throughout the transition and beyond
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Risk Management
Develop and disseminate implementation tools, checklists, monitoring indicators, and SOPs to track Polio Transition Plan progress.
Facilitate quarterly provincial reviews of AWPB budget utilization for VPD surveillance activities supported through domestic budgets.
Conduct biannual provincial review meetings to monitor the phased transfer of essential polio/VPD functions.
Support regular reviews of transition activities, timelines, and indicators at national and subnational levels.
Carry out risk assessments to prevent disruptions and ensure VPD surveillance is firmly embedded within the health system.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Management
Develop training packages for surveillance focal persons and medical doctors identified by provincial governments.
Maintain a database of trained personnel and document progress on VPD case investigation and management by trained government doctors as part of the transfer of core polio/VPD functions to the government.
Other:
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor and Team Lead โ IPD.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: First University degree in Medicine (Bachelor) from an institution recognized by Nepal Medical Council with Master of Public health or related field.ย
Desirable:ย ย Formal training on immunization, VPD surveillance or epidemiology.
Experience:
Essential:ย ย ย At least three years of experience in immunization field or vaccine preventable disease (VPD) surveillance.
Desirable:ย ย ย 1) Experience of working with WHO at National level with Ministry of Health and Population supporting provinces.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 2) Experience of developing National Immunization Strategies (NIS), Polio Transition Plan, GAVI full portfolio plan, manual and guidelines related to immunization, disease control, elimination and eradication program.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Functional skills and knowledge:
- Knowledge of public health, immunization and vaccine preventable diseases are essential.
- Knowledge and experience of monitoring, evaluation, and data analysis is required.