Polio Transition Support Officer

Position: Polio Transition Support Officer – (2503343)
Grade: No grade
Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 1 Year
Closing Date: Sep 25, 2025, 3:44:00 AM
Primary Location: Nepal-Kathmandu
Organization: SE_NEP WR Office, Nepal
Schedule: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.

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 (2023–2030) through a consultative process. The plan aims to sustain—and, where necessary, repurpose—the 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 (2025–2030), 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 (2025–2030), 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 “Polio Transition Support Officer” will work in close collaboration with FWD, other relevant division and department within Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), provincial ministries and local bodies.

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:

• Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor and Team Lead – 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.

Desirable: Formal training on immunization, VPD surveillance or epidemiology.

Experience:

Essential: At least three years of experience in immunization field or vaccine preventable disease (VPD) surveillance.

Desirable: 1) Experience of working with WHO at National level with Ministry of Health and Population supporting provinces.

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.

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.

– Ability to plan and execute review meetings / workshops/ trainings.

– Ability to participate actively and cooperatively in knowledge sharing and policy forums at various levels, negotiation skills with authorities, and to coordinate with the GoN agencies.

– Very good analytical skills including ability to collect and analyse technical data and information effectively, use required analysis tools, and to draw and present conclusions in written and spoken form, including presentation skills.

– Good writing skills in English, including ability to write clear and concise progress reports, analytical reports, plans and proposals, policy and strategic documents.

Other Skills:

– Proficiency in Microsoft Office

– Proficiency in Statistical / Epidemiological Analysis software desired.

– Able to follow instruction and work independently would be an asset.

WHO Competencies:

•  Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individuals and cultural differences
• Communication
•  Moving forward in a changing environment
• Producing Results

Language: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken language skills in English and Nepali

Remuneration:

Monthly Salary: (Net of tax) NPR 239,245 at single rate (taxable as per Nepal Government laws and appointment will be through Special Services Agreement)

Duty Station: WHO IPD Office, Teku, Department of Health Services, Kathmandu.

Grade: SSA Level 9

Additional Information

1. This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.

2. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

3. A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening.

4. If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required or this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

5. For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

6. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

7. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

8. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.

9. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

10. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

11. WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.

12. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

13. Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services(SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly atshws@who.int.

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15. This is a national position, open only to citizens of the country where the duty station is located. Applications from non-nationals will not be considered.

16. Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.

17. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply

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