State Immunization Lead (Location: Enugu, Kano, Kaduna, and Rivers) at John Snow Inc - JSI

GENERAL INFORMATION:

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) is a public health management consulting and research organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities throughout the world. JSI is currently implementing the Routine Immunization Project. The project’s overarching goal is to strengthen routine immunization programs to 1) sustainably overcome the entrenched obstacles contributing to stagnating and declining immunization rates in the supported states, and 2) address the barriers to reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children with life-saving vaccines and other health services. 

The Project will provide technical assistance to support routine immunization strengthening in 4 states, applying a co-creation approach to improve equitable coverage with a focus on identifying, understanding, and reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children. 

SUMMARY:

The primary role of the State Immunization Technical Advisor will be to directly support the State Primary Health Care Agency or Board (SPHCDA/B) team in the State of assignment in Nigeria and provide strategic leadership to ensure effective planning and implementation of national priority activities as appropriate at the state and LGA levels. The State Immunization Lead will work in collaboration with the JSI team to support all aspects of the vaccination technical assistance and the Routine Immunization technical assistance upon approval. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The State Immunization Advisor will be responsible for providing technical assistance to the State PHCD, including other local partners.

• Serve as a strategic, high-level technical advisor to SPHCDA/B and be an active member of the appropriate technical sub-committees and working groups responsible for routine immunization.
• Work in collaboration with the NPHCDA and technical partners to complete evaluations of immunization activities in the state of assignment and contribute to quality reports going to the national level.
• Work in collaboration with the SPHCDA/B technical working groups and sub-committees to define and contribute to aligning state-level support to national strategies, Zero Dose Reduction, and Measles Rubella Switch.
• Provide technical assistance in the analysis of program performance.  Collaborate with partners to collect and analyze data, monitor performance, and support SPHCDA/B with strategic leadership for planning and implementing corrective actions.
• Provide linkages between JSI and local partners (NGOs, etc.) to mobilize them and provide support and technical assistance to program activities. Work with these organizations to ensure technical support at all levels. 
• Support the development and submission of reports to JSI and partners, including regular reporting and final report. 
• Remain in regular contact (by email, phone, Slack, etc.) with the JSI Nigeria leadership team and the JSI global Immunization practice team.
• Under the guidance of the JSI Nigeria Immunization Project Director, oversee the state-level support and supervise the JSI state team members to perform the project activities at the state level.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION: 

• An advanced degree in public health, nursing, or a related field with more than five years of experience in public health program management.   
• A strong knowledge of immunization programming, vaccinology, and maternal and child health.
• At least five years’ practical experience in a senior management position and demonstrated capacity to provide strategic leadership to government and partner counterparts, and at least five years working in public health and primary health care.
• Practical experience in immunization programs, in both urban and rural settings.
• Knowledge of the Ministry of Health structure in Nigeria.
• Experience in using Microsoft Office suites
• Experience working with international immunization partners, such as JSI, WHO, and UNICEF, will be an added asset.
• Fluency in English.