Health Specialist Immunization

The purpose of this position is threefold, i.e., to enhance coordination and technical assistance for South Asian countries, focusing on sustaining momentum for COVID-19 vaccination among high-priority individuals and bolstering the Routine Immunization (RI) / PHC system. The goal is to improve collaboration and coordination both within UNICEF and among UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, and other partners to fortify national capabilities in reaching high-priority populations; oversee and harmonize regional partnerships focusing on routine immunization, in collaboration with the Immunization and HSS teams of UNICEF and WHO Regional Offices including assisting in the development of National Immunization Strategies (NIS); and drive the life course approach to vaccination and integrated service delivery within PHC across the region. 

function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:

• Reporting to the Senior Health Specialist, the Health Specialist- Immunization/COVID-19 and in close collaboration with the Immunization Specialist to

Maintain momentum for COVID-19 vaccination of high-priority populations, staff members will:

• Support the integration of COVID-19 in RI / PHC systems through advocacy work with countries to reach high-priority populations and implement a life course approach in conjunction with the immunization supply chain, Social and Behavior Change (SBC), gender, and overall health teams.
• Support the identification of bottlenecks and devise solutions promoting equity, demand, gender, and integration opportunities.
• Collaborate and coordinate effectively with partners to support COVID-19 grant management including timely and proper utilization of funds (CDS, CanGlVE, ACT-A, and others) as per guidelines and agreements and reprogramming of funds for wider support to public health emergencies and PI-IC system strengthening, and to facilitate countries in COVID-19 vaccine demand forecasting.
• Represent ROSA in key regional and global COVID-19 fora and platforms and assist the senior health specialist in meetings and calls with partners and donors.
• Support countries in timely identifying and deploying suitable capacity to meet the technical assistance needs for COVID-19 vaccine integration and improvement of revaccination coverage.

Provide overall coordination and follow-up of the RWGs for immunization:

• Facilitate effective collaboration and coordination between RWG partners towards achieving IA2030 goals, particularly pertaining to the Big Catch Up, Zero Dose agenda, COVID-19 integration, new vaccine introductions (HPV), and NIS:
• Foster joint strategic and technical leadership and represent ROSA at RWG events.
• Liaise between ROSA and the WHO & UNICEF regional technical hubs and chairs of the RWGs.
• Liaise between the RWG and Gavi and coordinate frequent monthly follow-up meetings between RWGs and Gavi.
• Support coordinated advocacy conducted by the RWG with governments to allocate appropriate funding for immunization and HSS, including the follow-up of recommendations from the Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (RITAG) and Technical Working Groups.
• Support the development of countries’ National Immunization Strategies.

Take on functions of the RWG secretariat:

• Organize, facilitate, and chair weekly coordination calls among key partners.
• Organize, prepare, and facilitate meetings/conference calls of the RWG.
• Provide technical support for the dissemination and implementation of RWG recommendations.
• Monitor the implementation of meeting/conference call RWG recommendations with report back.
• Maintain oversight and track the progress of RWG activities including the development of an action plan with RWG key deliverables/milestones, monitoring the implementation of activities, and crafting quarterly status updates.

Support the Knowledge Management:

• Coordinate monitoring and documentation of common successes, challenges, constraints, and opportunities in strengthening national immunization programmes, including the implementation of Gavi processes, and writing reports and scientific articles as appropriate.
• Maintain the knowledge exchange function of the RWG through regular updates using available exchange platforms on the website and among partners.
• Position UNICEF ROSA as a platform for the exchange of information, lessons learned and experiences between countries and the region and the global level to build capacity and enable the improvement of Gavi’s and partners’ national programs and processes/policies.
• Support the analysis of data, reports, and strategic publications related to immunization to guide future direction regarding policy, strategy, and operational frameworks.

Drive the life course approach to vaccination and Integrated Service Delivery within PHC:

• Coordinate and participate in technical support to South Asian countries for the implementation of the life course approach in close collaboration with SBC and gender sections.
• Support planning and implementation of Gavi’s Vaccine Investment Strategy (VIS) including Cholera, Dengue, Hepatitis A, Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Malaria, and Rabies in close collaboration with RWGs.
• Support countries for the preparation (support applications), introduction, and rollout of new vaccines including HPV in Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and Pakistan, in close collaboration with SBC and gender sections.

Support the Knowledge Management function of the health section:

• Support documenting country experiences with a life course approach to vaccination, the introduction of HPV, and Integrated Service Delivery and disseminate good practices and lessons learned through regional and global mechanisms,
• Organize events to share knowledge and experiences on life course approach, HPV introduction, and Integrated Service Delivery to facilitate south-south cooperation and cross-country learning.

Perform other duties that may include, but are not limited to:

• Contribute to the development of the ROSA annual work plan, monitor its implementation, and provide support to ensure expected results are obtained.
• Participate in the preparation of all reports related primarily to immunization required by management and donors.
• Participate in budget reviews, programme analysis, and annual reports.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: public health/nutrition, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public health/nutrition planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Experience working with COVID-19 PROGRAM and related partners is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in the region is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is an asset.

Source:  https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/570520