Lead Immunization Officer (m/f)

Description

• JSI and RED/REC GAVI PEF Overview: The JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) is public health management consulting and research organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities around the world. Based in Boston, United State of America, through country offices, JSI provides high-quality technical and managerial assistance to public health programs in 106 countries. This work includes designing and implementing community-level programs that are tailored to meet the needs of the country and communities. JSI also works at the national level to help design policies and strategies that incentivize quality and expand access to the most vulnerable populations. Since the 1980’s, JSI has worked with the government of Mozambique and local partners to strengthen the health system and improve access to essential commodities, vaccines, and health services
• In collaboration with Ministry of Health (MoH) and through the 2018 Targeted Country Assistance (TCA) of the partners' engagement framework (PEF) of GAVI, JSI will provide support Reaching Every District or Community (RED/REC) strategy expansion in Mozambique, focusing on three provinces in the central and northern regions of the country (Nampula, Sofala and Manica). JSI will continue to support expansion of REC activities to priority districts and build provincial capacity to continue expansion to other districts (4 districts in Nampula, 4 in Sofala, 4 in Manica). Activities will be closely implemented with coordination with UNICEF and WHO to complement and not overlap efforts. Health facility micro-planning implemented through REC will contribute to the national coverage and equity improvement plan
• JSI leads immunization work and supports its country, regional and global initiatives through direct consultation, operations research, and the transfer and sharing of information and promising program approaches with those in the field. This position will be hired by JSI
• Position Overview: JSI is hiring a lead immunization officer to be based in Sofala. This lead immunization officer will work with the Sofala EPI provincial immunization manager and district health management teams (DHMT) in coordination with DPS/SDSMAS, WHO, UNICEF, and will support three immunization officers in Nampula and Manica. He/she will coordinate with the JSI Senior Immunization Advisor, to strengthen national, provincial and district capacity in vaccine management, service delivery to communities and support implementation of Health System Strengthening (HSS) funds. The technical officer will also provide support for vaccine management, data quality, and cold chain and supply chain management as required in priorities districts and health facilities. It is anticipated that this position will involve approximately 50% time traveling/working in supported RED/REC districts as well as in Nampula and Manica to support other immunization technical officers

Duties

• Provide technical advice to the DPS and SDSMAS on all aspect for implementation of outreach or mobile brigades in the context of RED/REC strategy of the Expanded Program on Immunizations (EPI) including integration of other reproductive, maternal and child health services and nutrition program.
• Contribute to planning (microplanning process), implementing and evaluating of RED/REC strategy in the district, HF and communities
• Provide guidance to the district and HF immunization staff on vaccine wastage issues, vaccinators’ practices regarding opening a multi-dose vial for one or few children, and other health-facility policies and vaccinator practices related to use of vaccine
• Participate in assessments on essential immunization and child health commodities at health facilities
• Work with local DPS, SDSMAS, and health facility staff to ensure implementation of outreach or mobile brigades accordingly to the plan.
• Support district and HF to prevent vaccine stock-outs and shortages and to address stock-outs should they occur through better stock management practices
• Participate in provincial, district, or health facility cold chains assessments and contribute to rehabilitation plans
• Assist and advise on collection of data, monitoring of Immunization indicators including REC indicators and maintenance of supply-chain information systems
• Participate in supportive supervision of EPI logistics teams and capacity building in EPI planning, vaccine and cold chain management
• Assist at provincial, district and health facility staff with tools and approaches to make vehicle management and maintenance more efficient and effective
• Collaborate and coordinate with other projects or stakeholders and agencies, including private-sector partners, who can contribute to improving systems and operations
• Provide guidance and support to three immunization technical officers in Nampula and Manica to ensure best implementation of the REC strategy, ensuring complementary activities across all provinces
• Compile timely, accurate reports and provide relevant programmatic information for internal and external reporting
• Liaise between provincial activities and national interest and guidance, both for JSI and EPI
• Communicate and report on a regular basis with the National Immunization Advisor in Maputo and the provinces, to discuss and keep informed of activities, plans, lessons learned

Requisites

• Preventive Medicine Technician with long proven experience
• At least 8 years of direct experience EPI program and/or immunization supply chain management
• Knowledge of the principles and practice in public health. Familiarity with immunization systems support such as implementation of outreach activities, cold chain, vaccine management, waste management and disposal, and vehicle management
• Knowledge of RED/REC strategy
• Knowledge of routine and new vaccine roll-out strategies
• Ability to review and analyze immunization logistics systems data, monitor and present program progress
• Experience in capacity-building, including training and supervision/technical assistance visits
• Demonstrated ability to work in a complex, multi-intervention health development program in collaboration with national health ministries and international partners
• Personal and professional commitment to gender equality
• Ability to travel in the districts up to 50% of the time
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with a diverse team of partners and counterparts
• Portuguese fluency (verbal and written) required and local languages
• Mozambican nationals strongly encouraged to apply

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
•  JSI offers competitive salary and benefits
• JSI is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preference, genetic information, political affiliation, or protected veteran status in any employment decisions

How to Apply

1. Documentation

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae

2. Application

• Send your Documentation to mozhr@jsi.com with the Subject line “Lead Immunization Officer”