Strategic Information Lead at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary:

CRS is seeking a Strategic Information Lead (SI Lead) for an anticipated CDC-funded global childhood immunization project.  The project will reach zero- and under-immunized children with immunization services in Northern Nigeria in fragile and conflict settings. Project interventions will focus on: (a) Supporting immunization uptake for polio eradication, measles and rubella reduction and elimination, hepatitis B and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination; (b) strengthening surveillance systems to improve preparedness and response to outbreaks of VPDs; (c) establishing global laboratory networks for polio and measles/rubella; (d) planning and implementing supplemental immunization campaigns; and (e) strengthening of immunization delivery systems and capacities. Support technical requirements in monitoring and evaluation and quality assurance. Implement and monitor strategic and technical initiatives. Provide technical guidance around the issues, challenges, and strategies for improving access to quality data. Contribute knowledge products through the creation and management of reports, technical materials, and conflict-sensitive solutions. Working closely with project and country program MEAL Coordinator, support projects by evaluating programmatic effectiveness, overseeing technical aspects, and providing technical assessment reports.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in immunization that effectively engage partners, donors, and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, and protection mainstreaming.
• Provide technical solutions to regional and CP teams, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and how to best apply program design and implementation standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E, ensuring high-quality implementation.
• Contribute to regional and CP efforts to pre-position CRS for growth opportunities in immunization. Lead or contribute to the development of the technical design for large and/or complex proposals, including defining appropriate monitoring systems and indicators. Advise project teams on integrating donor strategies, priorities, and technical requirements into CRS’ approach.
• Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in immunization programming for staff and partner through helping develop learning and training strategies and agendas/curriculums, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching to CP staff.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing, and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports.
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, research, and other institutions. Participate in forums in the area of immunization to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in immunization. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in business development, project design and proposal development in immunization, including technical writing.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training applying adult learning principles and practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Geographical Information System (GIS) applications, geodatabase management, Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems, and knowledge-sharing networks.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree or its equivalent in Sciences, Public Health, Global Health Research, or a related field required.
• Minimum of five years relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with minimum of three years working for programming interventions in immunization.