Technical Officer, Immunization Information Systems

The Technical Officer provides technical expertise to Member States on immunization information systems, including digital immunization registries and data quality improvement. The role involves regional data analysis, reporting, capacity strengthening, and fostering partnerships to support immunization programmes in the Western Pacific Region.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise to Member States in the assessment, design, implementation and scale-up of electronic immunization registries and other immunization information systems, including the transition from paper-based to digital platforms.
• Provide strategic guidance to Member States to assess and improve the quality of immunization coverage and VPD surveillance data, through data quality assessments, desk reviews, data verification exercises and coverage surveys, and the development and implementation of data quality improvement plans.
• Consolidate, analyse and interpret national and subnational immunization coverage, VPD surveillance and programme data at regional level; monitoring performance against IA2030, Gavi 6.0 and regional targets and indicators; and provide regular structured feedback to countries and WHO country offices.
• Lead and coordinate regional reporting and accountability processes for immunization, including the electronic Joint Reporting Form (eJRF), the WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC), Gavi reporting requirements, and technical documentation for regional governing, advisory and verification bodies and other relevant WHO regional forums.
• Analyse immunization coverage and equity gaps, including the identification, quantification and characterization of zero-dose and under-immunized populations, through subnational, geospatial and equity-stratified analysis and the triangulation of administrative, survey, surveillance and other data sources, in order to support microplanning and the targeting of missed communities.
• Design, develop, maintain and continuously improve regional immunization databases, dashboards and data visualization products that translate coverage and surveillance data into accessible insight for decision-makers, applying automation and efficient data management approached to improve timeliness and reduce manual processing.
• Lead regional efforts to identify, evaluate, promote and disseminate innovations in immunization data, digital health and advanced analytics, including the responsible application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to strengthen data quality, timeliness, analysis and use.
• Lead regional capacity-strengthening efforts and provide strategic guidance to national programmes in immunization data management, analysis, interpretation and use through the development of tools, standard operating procedures and training materials, the delivery of training and workshops, mentoring and remote technical support, and the facilitation of regional networks and communities of practice.
• Provide technical leadership for evidence generation and knowledge translation, including the design and conduct of regional analyses and operational research on immunization data, coverage and equity; data collection, cleaning, analysis and interpretation; and the drafting of technical reports, policy briefs and research manuscripts.
• Lead and coordinate cross-programme data integration initiatives within DPC by aligning immunization data with wider surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, and health system performance information; support the analysis and interpretation of data during VPD outbreaks and immunization response activities; and contribute to shared data standards, platforms and analytical approaches across the Division.
• Foster and strengthen strategic partnerships and collaboration with UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, national authorities; and other immunization stakeholders. Coordinate technical engagement across country, regional and headquarters levels, to advance and strengthen alliances for regional immunization strategies, workplans, proposals and reports.
• Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health information management, health informatics and analytics, data science, demography or a related field.
• PhD and/or training or specialization in a related field is desirable.
• A minimum of seven years of relevant experience, with proven international exposure, in immunization or communicable disease surveillance, immunization data management and epidemiological and statistical data analysis for public health programmes.
• Demonstrated experience leading the design, introduction and scale-up of digital immunization information systems or advanced analytics for public health evidence-informed decision making.
• Proven experience leading and supporting regional or multi-country initiatives including capacity strengthening and partnership with national authorities and international partners.
• Experience supporting national immunization programmes or immunization information systems, including data quality assessment, coverage surveys or electronic immunization registries, is desirable.
• Experience with international immunization reporting and estimation processes such as the eJRF, WUENIC or Gavi reporting, and with equity and zero-dose analysis, would be an asset.
• Familiarity with health-system and sociocultural contexts in the Asia-Pacific Region, relevant experience in developing-country contexts, and experience in WHO or within the UN system with an understanding of its mandate, goals and procedures are desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of immunization programmes, immunization coverage monitoring and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, including the principles, indicators, data sources and reporting requirements used at national, regional and global levels.
• Sound knowledge of health information and immunization information systems, including routine reporting systems, electronic immunization registries, district health information systems and their integration with wider health management information systems.
• Strong quantitative epidemiology, biostatistics and data analytical skills, including the ability to manage, clean, triangulate and analyse large administrative, survey and surveillance datasets, and to translate results into clear, actionable recommendations for national and regional decision-making.
• Demonstrated knowledge of data quality assessment and improvement approaches, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, coverage survey methods and equity analysis, including the identification and characterization of zero-dose and under-immunized populations.
• Ability to design, develop, maintain and quality assure databases, dashboards and data visualization products that make technical evidence accessible to public health decision-makers.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, evaluate and promote innovation in immunization data systems, including digital health solutions and the responsible application of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to strengthen data quality, analysis and use.
• Proven ability to plan and deliver country-level and multi-country technical support, including data reviews, training, mentoring and capacity-building, working effectively with national counterparts in diverse health-system and cultural settings.
• Ability to work independently, organize and prioritize multiple concurrent tasks and deliver to deadline in a demanding environment, while exercising sound technical judgement.
• Excellent drafting, scientific writing, presentation and communication skills, including the ability to prepare analytical reports, manuscripts, technical briefs and presentation materials for diverse audiences.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work, and to promoting equity in the delivery of technical support to Member States.
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.

Skills

• Routine Immunization Data Management
• Epidemiological Analysis
• Statistical Analysis
• Digital Immunization Information Systems
• Public Health Analytics
• Immunization Coverage Monitoring
• Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance
• Health Information Systems
• Data Quality Assurance
• Coverage Survey Methods
• Equity Analysis
• Database Development
• Data Visualization
• Artificial Intelligence Application
• Applied Analytics
• Capacity Building
• Technical Report Preparation
• Scientific Writing
• Presentation Skills
• Multi-Country Technical Support

Languages

English