Program Officer, New Vaccines Introduction and Learning at Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation

Your Role

• Accelerated introduction and sustainable routine coverage of HPV vaccines and other new or underutilized vaccines can save millions of lives in Nigeria between now and 2030. As a Program Officer (PO) on the Immunization Program Nigeria team, you will closely work with the Deputy Director Health and Nutrition and the Senior Program Officer (SPO) leading Country Immunization Program to advance the objectives of the Foundation’s and Country HPV and other Vaccines strategy.
• They will lead the work on New Vaccines Introduction – especially HPV Introduction, coverage, and equity.
• The PO will design and manage a portfolio of operational research grants related to HPV vaccine delivery to advance learning in Nigeria. In partnership with the SPO leading Country Immunization Program, they will also engage with other implementing partners and states to manage and coordinate support on HPV and broader vaccines delivery in Nigeria and at states level.
• To be effective, they will work with agility, efficiency, and diplomacy in a dynamic environment.

This position reports to the Deputy Director, Health and Nutrition Nigeria Country office and will be based in Abuja, Nigeria. This will be a limited term employment (LTE) of 24 months.

What You’ll Do

• The PO will be responsible for investments to accelerate new vaccines introductions with an initial focus on introduction, coverage, and learning on HPV delivery innovations and will engage with partner organizations to strengthen the implementation of HPV programs in Nigeria. They will collaborate closely with the SPO leading the Country Immunization Program and with other colleagues and teams working on Vaccines delivery
• Their task will be to develop and work on a portfolio of grants to achieve accelerated introduction, achieving coverage and rapid learning, focused on HPV and other vaccines delivery innovations in Nigeria to achieve equitable, high, sustainable coverage of HPV and other vaccines in Nigeria. This may include:
  • Conducting research and analysis on the existing state of knowledge in the field, supporting strategy development, and designing research investments.
  • Continuously refining and iterating learning/research questions and working with FMOH/NPHCDA, partner organizations, and states to ensure execution of a learning agenda.
• Engaging in and leading multi-stakeholder partnerships in support of advancing on HPV and other vaccines delivery in Nigeria.
• Leading the Foundation's efforts to accelerate the translation of research findings into guidance, policies, and program design.
• Work on immunization supply chain and work with national and state logistics working group and engage with internal foundation teams, government and implementing partners to track the performance of the country immunization supply chain and design and implement interventions to address vaccines stock out.
• In partnership with the SPO leading Country Immunization Programs, they will collaborate with the Gavi Alliance, Implementing Partners, Foundation colleagues, grantees and national and states governments in support of country program implementation. This may include:
  • Leading and supporting country and state level engagement on all new vaccines introductions but with initial focus on HPV vaccines delivery with focus on accelerated introduction, uptake of WHO's single-dose recommendation, and work to achieve high, sustainable coverage of HPV and other vaccination.
• Working with other Foundation teams, including Program Advocacy and Communications, to ensure support is strategically aligned and seamless across teams and topic areas.
• Consult with grantees to achieve desired impact of grants; conduct site visits when appropriate, provide technical guidance, convene meetings and apply and evaluate milestone-based performance objectives.
• Prepare and write briefs and synthesize existing literature. Provide written analysis of key topics for foundation management. Fulfill data requests from leadership.

Your Experience

• Bachelor's or other advanced degree required with demonstrated experience of minimum 5 years is desirable.
• Strong expertise in global health at global and country level with a preference for expertise in immunization/vaccine preventable diseases. Technical expertise in New Vaccines Introduction - HPV and national level experience will be an asset.
• Experience with designing and managing new vaccines introductions, immunization coverage and equity and rapid learning research projects.
• Leadership abilities: proven ability to work across multiple partners (e.g., government, donors, grantees, and other partners) to build and sustain collaborative relationships. Ability to influence and move large institutions and bureaucracies over time.
• Effectively develop strategic approaches to define priorities. Create a clear vision and develop simple and effective but implementable solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to manage complex projects and programs, including multi-country research grants.
• Ability to communicate, both verbally and written, with a broad and diverse audience; able to effectively synthesize information to build consensus.
• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people.
• Comfortable with making decisions in the absence of perfect data and adapting approach when new information is known to achieve maximum impact.
• This position involves travel of up to 30%.
• Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.