Team Lead

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Somalia, specifically the WHO Representative's Office, is focused on reducing childhood morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases and achieving polio eradication. This role contributes to these objectives by providing strategic vision and technical advice to strengthen immunization programs.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide strategic vision and technical advice to Somalia to strengthen routine immunization and improve coverage and equity for vaccine-preventable diseases. This involves coordinating donors and partners, guiding national strategic planning, managing district-level plans, and leading monitoring and evaluation efforts. The role also oversees the planning and implementation of disease eradication and control activities, including supplementary immunization, outbreak response, and surveillance systems, aiming to meet global and national health goals and contribute to the Immunization Agenda 2030.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include providing strategic vision and technical advice to strengthen immunization programs in Somalia. This involves coordinating immunization donors and partners, mobilizing resources, and ensuring timely reporting. The role guides the development of national immunization strategies and plans, manages district-level micro-plans for EPI and polio eradication, and leads efforts to improve monitoring, evaluation, and data quality. Additionally, the incumbent will oversee the planning and implementation of vaccine-preventable disease eradication and control activities, including supplementary immunization activities, outbreak preparedness and response, and surveillance systems for polio and other diseases. This also includes coordinating new vaccine introductions, developing polio transition plans, and collaborating with other WHO teams for outbreak investigations. The role involves supervising staff, developing WHO program budgets, contributing to human resource capacity building, and developing policies for equitable vaccine access, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Finally, the role will leverage lessons learned from vaccine deployment to establish life-course vaccination programs.

Work Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of extensive practical experience in immunization programs, vaccine-preventable disease control, or polio eradication at a senior management level, with a focus on policy, planning, and strategic actions. Desirable experience includes communicable disease control, surveillance, resource mobilization, policy development, working in developing countries with low-performing immunization programs, and experience with measles elimination and polio eradication initiatives.

Skills

Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of immunization, disease eradication, epidemiology, and disease prevention/control. Excellent analytical skills for immunization and surveillance data, with the ability to synthesize information and provide recommendations. Capacity to develop strategies and plans for immunization and disease eradication programs. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work constructively with diverse individuals. WHO competencies include Teamwork, Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences, Communication, Creating an empowering and motivating environment, and Building and promoting partnerships.

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