Consultant, Support Monitoring and Evaluation of IFRC Supported Immunization Activities Globally

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  The IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country delegations) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The Health and Care Department’s New Strategic Direction 2023 focuses on Health Systems Strengthening and WASH Systems Strengthening through 4 Pillars:

Pillar 1: Global Health Security

Pillar 2: Global Health Protection and Universal Health Coverage

Pillar 3: Global Water Security

Pillar 4: Transformative Partnership

The 4 Pillars under Health Systems Strengthening and WASH Systems Strengthening are supported by 3 Enablers:

Enabler 1: Strengthening National Society Leadership on Health and WASH

Enabler 2: Strengthening IFRC Secretariate Health Infrastructure at county, cluster, region and Geneva level

Enabler 3: Digital Solutions and Data

Job Purpose

The IFRC Immunization Team is seeking a dynamic and experienced monitoring and evaluation (M&E) consultant to improve the effectiveness and impact of IFRC supported immunization programs globally. The consultant will develop and deliver on robust M&E frameworks, conduct complex data analyses, compile comprehensive reports, and provide remote M&E support and capacity building to country teams, including supporting country programs to develop and utilize data management systems to better disaggregate immunization program data for factors such as age groups, antigens, and delivery mechanisms. This role aims to enhance the IFRC Immunization program’s ability to deliver vaccines, adapt programs based on data, better visualize and report on immunization data, and improve immunization outcomes.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Consultancy Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop M&E Frameworks:

• Create comprehensive M&E frameworks, key performance indicators (KPIs), and reporting structures for immunization program, tailored to different donor requirements.

2. Data Collection:

• Guide the development of strategies and tools to collect and assess immunization data and support opportunities to evaluate tailored immunization activities such as polio eradication efforts, activities to control/eliminate measles, and reaching un- and under-immunized children to strengthen routine immunization programs.

3. Quantitative Analysis:

• Perform statistical analyses of immunization data, such as vaccination coverage rates, being able to differentiate between children vaccinated vs dose administered, dropout rates using statistical software such as SPSS, Stata, or R.

4. Qualitative Analysis:

• Support thematic analysis of qualitative data from focus groups, interviews, and surveys to better understand barriers and facilitators to immunization and adapt programs to address or overcome bottlenecks and barriers.

5. Trend Analysis:

• Analyze trends over time and across different geographic areas to identify patterns and anomalies in immunization coverage and health outcomes and to help tailor the program to better target activities and/or address any gaps.

6. Comparative Analysis:

• Compare program performance across countries and donor-funded projects to identify best practices and any areas needing improvement.

7. Data Visualization and Reporting:

• Support the IFRC Immunization Team on generation of evidence by analysing, interpreting, and applying sound scientific information and to develop policies, strategies, and guidelines related to vaccine, immunization, and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance.
• Prepare high-quality, timely reports and dashboards to effectively visualize and clearly communicate program progress, outcomes, and lessons learned to internal and external stakeholders, including:
  • Evaluation reports assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of immunization programs.
  • Donor-specific reports detailing the impact of funded initiatives.
  • Country comparison reports highlighting performance disparities and recommending corrective actions.

8. Remote Capacity Building:

• Provide technical guidance and develop capacity of country program data analysts, data managers, and M&E officers in summarizing, reviewing, analyzing, and presenting country immunization program data.
• Develop and deliver remote training sessions and workshops for country teams on M&E methodologies, data collection tools, and best practices to strengthen local M&E capacity, as needed.
• Provide technical support to country teams, their implementing partners, and Ministries of Health to strengthen data collection, analysis, and use for program and data quality improvement.

9. Evaluation & Learning:

• Develop and monitor and design evaluation activities to track key process, output, and impact indicators related to the immunization program.
• Design and conduct mid-term and end-term evaluations.
• Facilitate learning sessions to share best practices and recommend program adjustments.
• Support the development of activities and monitoring systems to identify under-immunized, high-risk, vulnerable, or other underserved populations to target for immunization service delivery and inclusion in vaccine campaigns.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

10. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with international and national partners on immunization strategies.
• Ensure alignment with donor requirements and accountability.

11. Quality Assurance:

• Ensure the accuracy, reliability, and validity of M&E data and processes.
• Review routinely collected immunization data to assess progress towards achieving program targets.
• Promote standardized approaches to routine immunization program monitoring, data quality improvement, data analysis, use, and visualization, and assessment of M&E systems.

Alignment to the IFRC’s Strategy 2030

The consultancy aligns to the Federation’s Strategy 2030 as it supports the achievement of Global Aims:

Global Aim 1: People anticipate, respond to and quickly recover from crisis.

Global Aim 2: People lead safe, health and dignified lives and have opportunities to thrive.

Management of consultancy

The consultant will be managed by the Officer, Immunization with the involvement of the larger IFRC immunization team, and potentially specific members of the Health and Care Department such as the data and digitization focal point.

Time allocation and location

The estimated level of work is at 50% Full Time Equivalent over an initial period of 12 months with work conducted remotely.

Experience

Required

• Strong knowledge and experience in immunization program planning, implementation, and evaluation. 
• Experience working in diverse, low-resource settings.  
• Experience conducting scientific or programmatic research and/or technical support to international public health programs.
• Experience working with international, national, and local partners.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Excellent French and English written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to lead and supervise project staff at country level.
• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills with experience working effectively as a team member in diverse, multidisciplinary environments.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities that are subject to change.
• Ability to foster collaboration among diverse external and internal stakeholders and partners to achieve program goals.
• Excellent time and project management skills.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Application Instructions

• Please submit your application in English only.
• Please include in your motivation letter your availability and your current Daily Fee Rate in CHF.
• Please note that this job advertisement will be closed once a suitable candidate is identified.