Immunization Technical Advisor

This opportunity can be based in New York, NY or Nairobi, Kenya. 

The immunization technical advisor will develop a new strategy to reach zero dose children in fragile, emergency and refugee settings, provide technical mentorship and oversight to in-country teams responsible for project delivery; develop tools to help achieve immunization outcomes; participate in the design and delivery of research and learning; strengthen capacity of other staff; and lead business development to grow the immunization portfolio.

Specific Responsibilities:

Influence

•Represent the health unit and the IRC in inter-agency working groups, various global/regional immunization fora and conferences

•Attend targeted conferences and develop specific publications (issues papers, technical documents, presentations and peer-reviewed articles) relevant to advancing immunization program strategies and research results.

•Synthesize key findings of current literature related to increasing routine immunization coverage—particularly through ‘last mile’ and community engagement strategies—for program use

Technical Capacity Strengthening and Program Design

•Conduct technical trainings and ongoing technical coaching for technical staff related to immunization programming quality improvement.

•Support design of program in project countries and ongoing monitoring of progress

•Participate in analysis of program data with M&E and project staff to advise on program adaptations to achieve targets and share cross country learning

•Engage with stakeholders during visits to country programs

•Review and share program-specific tools/resources/curricula and work with technical unit specialists to contextualize and adapt global and country-specific materials

•Help define approach to teaming/partnering with other organizations

Business development

•Develop strategy to build IRC’s immunization portfolio

•Support country program staff to design programs and projects, ensuring that they are: aligned with the IRC’s strategy, which includes supporting country program staff with contextualizing outcomes and the theories of change, and selecting interventions based on the best available evidence and the local context; responsive to client needs and preferences; based on sound context and gender analysis; and support use of indicators for country programs aligned with existing IRC immunization indicators

•Input into go / no go decisions on proposals

•When needed, write technical narratives of proposals in addition to regular review of technical narratives, workplans, and any program reports

•Provide input on budgets

Job Qualifications:

Education: Masters in public health or related area.

Work Experience: A minimum of two years as technical advisor supporting immunization programs, plus three years of international field experience in managerial/coordination positions with Non-Governmental Organizations in humanitarian or post-conflict settings. Experience in technical tools and materials development. Experience in strategy development and working across sectors is highly desired.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Demonstrated expertise in working with donors, project design, proposal development, and monitoring and evaluation, with the ability to turn concepts and strategy into measurable action. Able to work with remote, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams. Strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills and ability to facilitate teamwork. Ability to transfer technical knowledge and skills. Demonstrated dedication to renewing and maintaining with current best practices. Additional proficiencies include:

•Experience working with ministries of health, international agencies and/or NGO public health programs in Africa and other developing countries.

•Knowledge of vaccine preventable disease control initiatives (e.g., polio, measles, tetanus), Global Vaccine Action Plan and Gavi strategies for health systems strengthening.

•Proven track record of independently assessing routine immunization needs and lead partners in the development and implementation of successful program interventions, including prior experience with: national or sub-national immunization planning; capacity building for system strengthening; design of user-centered strategies to increase coverage; use of immunization data for monitoring and decision making; assessment of cold chain and logistics performance and needs; and other actions to sustain quality immunization services

•Ability to work independently, with attention to detail and quality.

Language Skills: Fluency in English required; proficiency in French is an advantage.

Working Environment: Up to 40% travel may be required.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.These are Integrity, Equality, Service, and Accountability.In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC et les employés de IRC doivent adhérer aux valeurs et principes contenus dans le IRC WAY (normes de conduite professionnelle). Ce sont l’Intégrité, Egalite, le Service, et la Responsabilité. En conformité avec ces valeurs, IRC opère et fait respecter les politiques sur la protection des bénéficiaires contre l’exploitation et les abus, la protection de l’enfant, le harcèlement sur les lieux de travail, l’intégrité financière, et les représailles.