Regional Immunization Advisor (Service Delivery) - Somali RHB

Organization Background: JSI is a US-based public health nonprofit organization committed to delivering high-quality technical and managerial assistance programs worldwide. With over 25 years of experience in Ethiopia, JSI has implemented over 60 projects, focusing on improving health outcomes, quality, and equity in access to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services. JSI has actively contributed to various areas, including primary health care, community health programs, digital health, health information systems (HIS), supply chain management, public health emergency responses, and social and behavior change.

Activity Overview

Over the past few years, the John Snow Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) has provided technical assistance to Ethiopia's Ministry of Health (MoH) to strengthen the national and sub-national immunization systems, with a focus on identifying and reaching zero-dose and under-immunized communities in hard-to-reach areas. As part of full portfolio planning (FPP), MoH-Ethiopia has initiated various strategies and activities to identify and reach zero dose and under immunized children with technical assistance to RHBs being one of the key strategies. MoH identified a need for ongoing technical assistance at national level to support new vaccine introduction, provision of vaccines administered in the second year of life and beyond and reduce number of zero dose and under immunized children through delivery of integrated services to improve efficiency, regularity and/or reliability of planned immunization activities and reduce gender-based barriers to utilization of immunization services. Through funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, JSI will provide technical assistance on routine immunization to selected regional health bureaus (RHBs) to support the effort of the ministry in reducing the number of zero-dose children in Ethiopia. 

JSI is looking to hire a regional immunization advisor (RIA) to be based in the regional health bureau (RHB) of Somali regions to provide technical assistance to extend immunization service through reaching zero-dose, under-immunized children and missed communities

Position Summary

The RIA will provide TA to the RHB on integrated delivery of services to improve efficiency, regularity and/or reliability of planned immunization activities. Specifically, the RIA will provide technical support to the RHBs focused second level prioritized woredas (69 woredas in Somali) in identification of zero-doses, development and implementation of bottom-up microplanning and planning and monitoring of PIRI. He/she will be seconded to the assigned RHB. The RIA will provide day-to-day  and strategic support to the RHBs EPI team for the following key responsibilities

Specific responsibilities 

• Work with the RHB to analyze their situation and identify the needs relating to Zero dose children and under vaccinated children and develop join plan focusing on reducing zero-doses in the prioritized woredas (69 woredas in Somali).

• Ensure all the targeted woredas have micro-planning to identify and map zero-dose children and missed communities

• Support catch-up vaccination activities in the targeted woredas including ensuring presence of plan, specific target for each woreda and providing technical support to the woredas and RHBs and ensure the woredas implement catch up vaccination activities for all antigens. The catch up include both routine and big-catch-up. 

• Monitor the performance of the targeted woredas towards reaching zero-dose targets, conduct monthly analysis and provide feedback on the status to the RHB and the targeted woredas

• With RHB, support planning, implementation and monitoring of PIRI and other RI related activity for the targeted woredas

• Provide technical assistance to RHB in planning and coordinating integrated routine immunization activities with other health services that can be co-delivered (Deworming, nutritional activities, growth monitoring and other RMNCH activities) 

• Support RHB in planning and advocating for integration of identification and vaccination of zero-doses during campaigns and other health services.

• Participate on capacity building activities related with immunization service (training, mentorship and advocacy meetings orientations and action planning in the region to support the national rollout of catch-up guidelines)

• Support dissemination of integration and catchup guidelines to health workers in the region 

• Support preparation and co-facilitate key regional technical meetings, such as regional technical working group meetings and EOCs. 

• Provide ongoing technical support to RHB and sub-regional level including leading and participating in supportive supervisions, review meetings, use of immunization data for timely decision making.

• Closely coordinate and plan with other JSI immunization TAs within the region to ensure the project activities are well aligned and harmonized with the regional priorities

• Coordinate regularly JSI staff in Addis to facilitate project implementation and provide progress updates

• Regularly provide update and reports on performance 

• Contribute to donor or MoH-required project reports or other information requests

• Perform other assignments and responsibilities as assigned by RHB and/or JSI

• Master of public health (MPH) or other equivalent qualifications with first degree in health-related areas

• Minimum of eight years working experience in immunization and public health. Should have at least five years of experience on routine immunization 

• Experience in data analysis at regional level is advantage 

• Demonstrated experience working within the region and familiarity with the region

• Proven ability to use adult learning techniques to facilitate trainings, supportive supervision and technical assistance 

• Strong organizational, management and communication skills to influence partners and decision makers at regional, zonal and woreda level

• Demonstrated ability to be a team player, to lead teams, and to organize multiple activities simultaneously; ability to communicate and negotiate competing demands on time from managers and work effectively with distributed teams. 

• Computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, and familiarity with DHIS2

• Fluency in English; Fluency in the regional language is a strong asset 

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 40% of the time to regions, zones

How To Apply

Interested applicants who met the minimum requirements should send and apply at WWW. Ethiojobs.net. please submit your application letter with your CV in English detailing your experience and skills that are relevant to the post.

Please do not attach copies of your transcripts, academic degrees or recommendation letters with the application. You will provide them upon request.

JSI/WEI is a child-safe organization, and the safety and well-being of children is a priority of our organization. We have robust recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff are suited to work with the children served by our programs.

JSI/WEI 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, sexual orientation, sexual preference, genetic information, political affiliation, or protected veteran status in any employment decisions. M/F/V/D