WHO/PAHO/UNICEF Missions
These missions in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) , the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), or the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) can last anywhere from one week to three months.
WHO, PAHO and UNICEF missions are very diverse in nature, depending on requests received by partner offices and country Ministries of Health. In the past, missions have included:
- Assisting a national Ministry of Health with the introduction of Hepatitis B vaccine in national immunization schedules;
- Evaluating a Rubella mass vaccination campaign;
- Helping to strengthen national routine immunization and surveillance systems;
- Preparing and facilitating a workshop on clinical trials;
- Teaching a course on communicating with the media before and during immunization campaigns; and
- Conducting a needs assessment on districts with low routine immunization coverage.
Prerequisites
These missions require various highly qualified individuals with extensive immunization experience in Canada and overseas, specifically in public health, disease surveillance, epidemiology and immunization services or programs.
Intercultural experience is a prerequisite and the ability to work in French, Spanish, Portuguese and other languages is considered an asset.
WHO Briefing Prior to Departure
Prior to departing for the assignment, CIII-2 technical consultants working with WHO usually receive a briefing by WHO staff in Geneva, Switzerland, or another head-office. The purpose of the briefing is to provide consultants with an overview of the assignment.
Thanks to the generous support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), per diems as per Treasury Board guidelines, transportation, accommodation, and other travel expenses are covered. Professional fees will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Living Conditions
Many of the WHO partner countries present living conditions that are especially challenging and should be considered by those interested in applying. Examples of this are a lack of electricity, inconsistent water supply, difficult communication systems, rug ged traveling conditions, and ongoing civil war or armed conflicts, which cause disruption of health care systems and immunization campaigns.