Senior Immunization Advisor (CDC-Funded Global Childhood Immunization Project - Nigeria) at Corus International

About The Job:

IMA World Health is seeking a Senior Immunization Advisor for an anticipated CDC-funded global childhood immunization project. The 5-year project will reach zero- and under-dose children with immunization services in selected countries in fragile and conflict settings. Project interventions will focus on:

• Supporting immunization uptake for polio eradication, measles mortality reduction and regional measles and rubella elimination, hepatitis B and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination
• Establishing global laboratory networks for polio and measles/rubella
• Planning and implementing supplemental immunization campaigns
• Strengthening of immunization delivery systems and capacities
• The Senior Immunization Advisor will co-design and oversee all interventions related to the prevalence and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the overall assessment, planning and delivery of immunization activities. Relevant capacities will include expertise in surveillance of infectious diseases, preparedness for outbreaks, management of routine, supplemental vaccination delivery systems including campaigns, community engagement and mobilization in immunization activities, as well as experience in social behavior communication related to vaccination, including general awareness, promotion, and advocacy-related activities.
• S/he will co-develop the annual work plans and performance monitoring plans, continually monitor progress and timelines against benchmarks, and adjust programmatic and strategic approaches when necessary.
• The senior technical advisor will be responsible for developing the technical scope and input into the quarterly and annual reports and approves all ME and technical reports.
• The Senior Immunization Advisor supervises the day-to-day work of technical staff and overseas project implementation to ensure quality programming and achievement.
• The competencies required to be successful in this position include a theoretical and practical understanding of global health systems and integration strategies to address immunizations in health programming in conflict and fragile settings; personnel and project management skills; the ability to motivate and lead teams; and the demonstrated ability to operate at advanced levels of authority and accountability for achieving results.
• The position will be based in DC and will report to the Project Director.
• The Senior Immunization Advisor will be expected to visit project sites on a regular basis with up to 50% of her/his time in field settings. Actual hiring is contingent upon signed agreement and CDC approval.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall strategic direction, and technical leadership to the project to achieve expected project results within expectations and timeframe.
• Serve as key liaison to CDC and the country government's technical staff, ensuring high levels of coordination, while nurturing relationships with all key stakeholders (including partner organizations at the national and subnational level) on technical and programmatic matters related to the project.
• Liaise with other implementing partners and stakeholders, to ensure coordination of and harmonization with other relevant immunization prevention, mitigation and response mechanism, private sector engagement, and USG activities globally.
• Ensure results-oriented technical components and high-quality and timely deliverables and reports.
• Oversee implementing partners and advise on technical issues.
• Ensure the achievement of project deliverables, including ensuring report preparation and high-quality timely submission, and ensuring cross-cutting issues are effectively integrated into project implementation.
• Direct preparation of annual work plans, project activity updates, and other project-related communication and reporting materials.
• Represent the project in technical, policy, and programmatic fora at all levels (country, national, and international). Identify lessons learned and best practices for external dissemination.

Qualifications:

• Advanced graduate degree in medicine or public health with concentration in immunization and global health.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in the implementation of international health programs with substantial knowledge and experience related to infectious diseases and intervention and child immunization highly preferred.
• Proven technical expertise using new approaches to strengthen immunizations uptake.
• Knowledge of USG framework of addressing childhood immunization in fragile context and familiarity with CDC policy and strategies to address childhood immunizations.
• Experience collaborating and coordinating with local and national host government agencies and aligning program activities and results with national strategies.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, including technical, management, and evaluation expertise for complex programs in resource-constrained countries.
• Knowledge of and experience with CDC rules and regulations required.
• Deep knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of conflict and fragile settings required.
• Strong staff supervision skills and demonstrated ability to coordinate programs with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences; demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience building the capacity of national non-government partner organizations to achieve CDC's goal of localization for future funding.
• Strong communication skills, including both written and oral presentation skills; proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse public and private partners.
• English fluency with professional proficiency in writing required.