Expanded Program on Immunization EPI Job Vacancy in Public Health

Nigerias expanded program on immunization has achieved slow growth in coverage in the last few years despite huge investments by governments and development partner agencies. The recent 2015/2016 Multi indicatiors cluster and National immunization coverage surveys showed that penta 3 and full imumunization coerage were 33 and 23 percent respectively, implying that 6 in 10 children were not fully vaccinated with all life saving vacciness in 2015 alone

Working with its development partners, govt is relaunching, rebranding and rapidly revamping the immunization program in the country

To achieve quick results, this decision has been translated to the establishment of the National and States Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Center (NERICC/ SERICC) at national and 18 poor perfroming states of sokoto, kano, jigawa, kebbi, zamfara, kaduna, katsina, bauchi, yobe, gombe, borno, taraba, adamawa, nasarawa, niger, kogi, plateau and bayelsa. The emergency centre is to be saddled with the responsibility of planning, coordinating and ensuring the countrys national and states target of 85 percent coverage for routine immunization is achieved and unvaccinated kids are reached throu innovative strategies within the shortest possible time

In order to manage the state routine immunization programs, a Program manager has been recruited as part of the state immunization team to manage and ensure improved performance and accountablitity in the state routine immunization program. The PM coordinates the direct implementation and strategic execution of the strategies being implemented by SERICC and reports directly to the Executive secretary/chairman of the state primary health care development agency/board

The EPI Program collaboration with a reputable human resource firm is seeking to engage the service of a techincal assistant on routine immunization to support the SERICC and the program managers in selected states to coordinate the design and implementation of the routine immunization program, innovation and strategies.

The TA shall function as a core member of the SERICC team, providing technical support in the strategic execution and achievement of SERICC goals and objectives and shall report directlty to the progam manager of NERICC

He/shw will work with all the stakeholders in the immunization space including development partners and community structures to achieve transformational impact in increasing routine immunization (RI) Coverage rates and reduce the burden of unimmunized children. This includes supporting the SERICC management of a robust mechanism for evaluations of RI Program performance ensuring program goals are met.

The successful candidates must be able to function independently and flexibly as well as build strong relationships with government officials and partners at all levels. Additionally, the successful candidates will adhere to the key values and relevant codes as enshrined within the host state

The TA position shall be contracted for two years renewable term, and shall be subject to satisfactorily quarterly performance evaluation based to set indicators. Interested individuals shall perform the following roles and responsiblities as states below;

– The TA shall as directed by the PM SERICC represent the PM in discussions or correspondence with SERICC development partners and other stakeholders on immunization and vaccine delivery systems

– As directed by the PM, attend meetings of the immunization techincal working groups and other relevant techincal meetings, updating the PM on issues pertaining to routine immunizations, SIAs, vaccine logistics and demand creation

– Maintain quality interactions with stakeholders supporting the immunization program including the LGA tteams

– Support the PM on administrative activities related to SERICC, including closely liasing with other relevant departments and programs in the SPHCDA

– Work closely with the deputy PMs and other members of SERICC to ensure timely delivery on project activiites

– Develop technical documents and proposals as would be assigned by the PM

– Ensures alignment of key performance indicators  to critical success factors working with SERICC team members to ensure that these objectives are realized

– Any other responsibilities as assigned by the PM SERICC ES SPHCDA/SPHCMB AND NPHCDA

– Public health or related degree with at least 5 years experience in immunization, public health and or health system strengthening, demonstrable experience working with government and partner agencies at state levels

– In depth understanding of the state health system, its challenges particularly routine immunization program

– Demonstrated capacity to effectively coordinate organizations with good expertise in navigating and strengthening relationships among government and development organizations

– Strong managerial, problem solving skills and experience working under demanding work plans and tight schedules

– Strong diplomatic and interpersonal relationship skills, experience working with government officials and immunization teams at state and LGA Levels

– Extensive experience with large scale health systems strenghtening interventions, particularly in the public sector

– Significant experience with large scale health systems strengthening interventions, particulary in the public sector

– Significant experience in strategic planning, organizational development, change facilitation and process management in the health sector

– Strong analytical skills and high level techincal proficiency with ms word, excel and powerpoint with ability to use these tools to collect and analyze immunzation program data

– Ability to create well written, succint project reports

– Ability to travel within and outside the state without limitation

– Good business oriented verbal, visual and written communication skills

– Proactive, resouirceful individuals with strong analytical and communication skills, ambitious, strong problem solver, stable, self directed, respectful and commands network of peers to leverage knowledge

– Excellent time management and organizational skills

– Demonstrated experience in planning and execution of large scale projects including budgets and activity planning

– Ability to commit minimum of one year to the position

University masters in science related degree

Experience working in immunization- preferably at state level

Experience working in public health – preferably in developing countries

Understanding of the local languages of the resident state

Interested individuals shall submit only electronic copies of their application (cover letter and cv) with the following steps via this email immunizationvacancy2018@gmail.com

Position title: Technical Assistant to ….. state of preference…. SERICC on the subject of the email

Shall indicate three states in order of preferential deployment during the application

Ecopies of the CV/ or cover letter shall be sent thru the email only in word or pdf format

All online application submission should be addressed to ‘the head of human resource’ with the email as stated above, not lager than 12noon of friday january 12th 2018

All shortlisted candidates for written and oral interviews willl be notified via email of the next step in the interview process by the close of business on friday january 19 2018