Polio Outbreak Response/ SIA facilitators.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) seeks to ensure that future generations of children will be free from the threat of polio virus infections. Achieving this goal depends on interrupting polio virus transmission and ensuring rapid/effective responses to outbreaks occurring in polio-free countries.

The GPEI Strategy 2022–2026, has a specific goal on interruption of cVDPV1 outbreaks within 3 months of detection/confirmation. To attain the above goal, the revised Polio Outbreak Response Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribe interventions in four mutually supportive areas of work: 1. Intensified Polio Surveillance; 2. Polio outbreak Response Vaccination using type 1 vaccines; 3. Mop up vaccination operations; and 4. Routine Immunization response with emphasis on increasing uptake of IPV. Countries experiencing cVDPV1 outbreaks are expected to implement these strategies and break transmission chains within the shortest possible time, but in any case, not longer than 6 months.

On the 10th of April 2026, the Polio laboratory provided results of the samples collected from the index isolate investigation. The laboratory report indicated that 04 of the Community contacts sampled, 2 close contact samples and a 2nd AFP case detected in the same county had had positive isolates of VDPV1, all phylogenetically linked to the index case. In turn, all the isolates were immediately classified as circulating vaccine derived polio virus type-1 (cVDPV1) in line with the laboratory guidelines for classification of polio virus isolates.

The Global Surveillance Action Plan (GPSAP) and related strategies in South Sudan focus on strengthening polio detection and emergency response amid high-risk, low-vaccination conditions. Key components include community-based surveillance (CBS) for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and other diseases, enhancing laboratory capabilities (reverse cold chain), and coordinating cross-border initiatives. The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office (WCO) for the Republic of South Sudan has since established a technical surge to support the cVDPV1 response operations. Given the context complexities of South Sudan, WCO seeks to engage a highly motivated national professionals in the short term to support the implementation of emergency polio outbreak response activities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Under the overall guidance of WHO Representative to the Republic of South Sudan and under the supervision of the GPEI Coordinator and the WHO Polio Team Lead, the incumbents will have the following responsibilities in their assigned area of work:

1.Collaborate closely with health workers, officials from State Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Health, and the WHO field presence, for all surveillance and immunization activities, supporting implementation of relevant strategies.

2.Re-prioritization of health facilities as “high”, “medium”, or “low” priority depending on OPD turnover of patients reported through the DHIS and develop a realistic short, medium and long-term operational plan to conduct active records review/case search and sensitization of all clinicians.

3.Ensure the appropriate flow of immunization and diseases surveillance data and take/recommend timely actions to be taken to improve completeness, timeliness and quality

4.Coordinate with IDSR reporting focal points in the state Ministry of health to ensure that all acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases reported are investigated, validated, and followed up.

5.Support the state EPI program managers and their teams to

a)Review of recent SIAs to document lessons learnt and best practices for attainment of the highest quality and coverage for all planned response vaccination campaigns.

b)Develop SIAs coverage improvement interventions for all pending nOPV2 SIAs using all post campaign evaluation (PCE) and Lot Quality Assurance survey (LQAs) data

c)Disseminate and provide technical support to the implementation of key SIAs coverage improvement interventions to all counties in the state of deployment, with emphasis on poorly performing geographies

d)Oversight and validation of SIAs preparedness dashboards data to ensure that readiness indicators reflect reality in the state/county.

e)Initiate SIAs readiness preparedness monitoring at the county levels to inform state level preparedness.

f)On job mentoring and facilitation of skills acquisition for all SIAs workers

g)Supervise the SIAs and report on quality issues using the ODK checklists for real time visualization and response interventions from the national MOH level

h)Document best practices and lessons learnt in improving SIAs quality and coverage for all

6.Undertake any other tasks/duties as assigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health/Community Health or a relevant health field obtained from a recognized institution.

Desirable:  Master’s in public health or related programme is desirable     

Experience and Skills:

Experience:

Essential:At least three years' of relevant experience in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of polio or other VPD surveillance and SIAs.

Considerable experience in dealing with the state Ministry of Health including developing and promoting collaborative actions with other national authorities and health implementing partners.

Desirable: Prior experience at field level with WHO, other health services delivery organisations or recognized humanitarian organizations with expertise in disaster and outbreak response.

Demonstrated experience working with subnational health authorities (State, County, and/or Payam) in the Republic of South Sudan

Functional Skills and Knowledge (Describe skills and knowledge specific to the post):

1.Excellent Communication skills (both written and spoken);

2.Knowledge of Word Processing, Spreadsheet and presentation software;

3.Good analytical skills;

4.Ability to work in different environments and multi-task effectively;

5.Good presentation and inter-personal skills;

6.Knowledge and understanding of the functionality of EPI and surveillance systems at national, State, County and community levels of the health system 

8.Good writing and development of field reports 

9.Experience working successfully in similar position as outlined in the scope of work

COMPETENCIES:

1.Teamwork

2.Producing results

3.Fostering integration and teamwork

4.Communication

Languages:

Required: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and good working knowledge of Arabic will be an asset.

Desirable: Knowledge and fluent knowledge of one of the major languages/dialects spoken in South Sudan

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for 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/ [link removed]. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. [link removed]
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO also offers a wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully. 
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter [link removed] and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.