Immunization Program Lead (AfCDC)

Position description

Purpose of Job

To provide strategic leadership and technical oversight in strengthening primary health care systems for immunization service delivery across the life course addressing the zero-dose agenda, increasing domestic financing of immunization and building public trust in vaccines across African Union Member States. The post will provide technical, policy and strategic guidance and contribute to oversight, coordination, and monitoring of Africa CDC’s immunization program.
Main Functions

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for the Africa CDC’s immunization program, aligned with continental and global immunization goals;
• Identify priorities and set programmatic direction for strengthening immunization programs and addressing vaccine hesitancy in Africa;
• Oversee the development and implementation of work plans for the immunization division;
• Advocate for increased political commitment and domestic resource allocation for immunization programs in African Union Member States.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and support to Senior Technical Officers-Immunization at the Africa CDC Regional Coordinating Centers;
• Ensure consistency and quality of technical assistance provided to Member States on national immunization strategies, immunization program strengthening and primary healthcare system integration;
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice exchange across the Africa CDC Regional Coordinating Centers and Member States;
• Represent the Africa CDC in technical discussions and negotiations with partners like Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF on immunization programs;
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the Africa CDC’s immunization program, assessing progress towards set goals and objectives;
• Analyze data on immunization coverage, vaccine hesitancy, and primary healthcare system capacity to inform program improvements;
• Prepare regular reports on the performance of the immunization program for internal and external stakeholders;
• Develop and implement resource mobilization strategies to secure funding for the Africa CDC’s immunization program;
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and other stakeholders to support immunization program goals;
• Foster collaboration with Ministries of Health and other national partners in Member States;
• Expand and strengthen regional partnership for implementation of Immunization Agenda 2030 among African Union Member States, including the Gavi-UNICEF-WHO Regional Working Groups and the Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group (RITAG).

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, immunology, or a related field with a minimum of 12 years of experience in public health program management, with a focus on immunization;
• Multi-Country, Regional Experience: A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in Immunization of multi-country, regional projects in Africa;
• Continental Experience: A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience leading Immunization of a continental Public Health institution in Africa.

LANGUAGES:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Application instructions

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