Program Officer For Research And Medical Countermeasures, UNV

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme in the African Region seeks a Program Officer for Research and Medical Countermeasures. This role provides technical and operational support for regional activities concerning research preparedness, vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures. The position focuses on strengthening preparedness and response capacities across the African Region, with a specific emphasis on the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak.

Job Purpose

The Program Officer will provide crucial technical and operational support to the WHO AFRO Research, Vaccines, and Medical Countermeasures unit. The primary objective is to coordinate regional research preparedness, vaccine readiness, and medical countermeasure activities. This includes supporting the implementation of the regional Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) research agenda, enhancing research and vaccine preparedness in Member States, coordinating partners and technical networks, generating evidence to inform response strategies, and contributing to policy and operational readiness for emerging and epidemic-prone diseases. The role aims to bolster the region's capacity to effectively prepare for and respond to health emergencies through robust research and medical countermeasure initiatives.

Responsibilities

The Program Officer will assist in coordinating the regional response to Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), focusing on research, vaccine preparedness, and medical countermeasure readiness. Responsibilities include supporting the implementation of the regional BVD research agenda by coordinating activities and partners, and monitoring workplans. The role involves contributing to the development and dissemination of regional guidance, tools, and training materials for research and vaccine preparedness. Additionally, the incumbent will support the development of regional strategies for BVD vaccine preparedness, coordinate vaccine effectiveness studies and observational research, and support clinical research preparedness through protocol development and site readiness assessments. Maintaining and developing regional research coordination and knowledge management systems, supporting policy and regulatory preparedness, and coordinating technical working groups and partner consultations are also key duties. The role includes monitoring programme implementation and deliverables.

Work Experience

Essential: Minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, epidemiology, infectious disease surveillance, outbreak response, vaccine programs, clinical research, or health emergencies. Experience in humanitarian, emergency, fragile, or resource-constrained settings is required. Desirable: Experience with international organizations, Ministries of Health, research institutions, or humanitarian partners, particularly in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, and supporting vaccine-preventable disease programs or research.

Skills

Knowledge of epidemiology, infectious diseases, public health research methodologies, and outbreak response. Understanding of vaccine-preventable disease programs, observational studies, and vaccine effectiveness evaluations. Strong project coordination and organizational skills. Experience preparing technical reports, scientific summaries, and meeting documentation. Strong literature review, evidence synthesis, and analytical skills. Ability to work independently and in multicultural environments. Experience with knowledge management systems is desirable.

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