CAMRIS International is an international development and research firm that realizes innovative solutions to health and development challenges through high-quality, cost-effective program and research management services. With experience working in more than 80 countries, we combine our proven systems with today’s most effective, evidence-based best practices to improve the lives of people around the world.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has contracted through Social Solutions International partnered with CAMRIS International, to recruit and hire qualified individuals for the following position:
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Global Health, Office of Maternal and Child Health, Division of Child Health and Immunization
Title: Global Immunization Program and Policy Advisor
GS: 15
Application Deadline: Open until Filled
INTRODUCTION:
USAID’s Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN), Division of Child Health and Immunization (CHI), in the Bureau for Global Health, is seeking a dynamic individual to provide technical direction to USAID’s immunization activities worldwide at the country, regional, and international levels. This senior-level position will directly contribute to one of USAID’s global health objectives getting attention at the highest levels of the Agency: Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths.
BACKGROUND:
The world has witnessed an extraordinary 70 percent decline in child mortality over the last 50 years, and a reduction in the burden of child deaths from nearly 12 million in 1990 to 5.4 million in 2017. Maternal deaths are also falling and declines in maternal mortality are currently averaging five percent per year. Despite this progress, significant work remains in order to increase coverage of high-impact interventions, strengthen the health systems that support these interventions, and address equity gaps that are bottlenecks to ending preventable child and maternal deaths.
Building on the momentum of the June 2012 Child Survival Call to Action and the subsequent launch of A Promised Renewed, USAID’s Bureau for Global Health is mobilized to support countries to prevent child and maternal deaths, focusing on 25 countries where 70 percent of these deaths occur (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia).
Seventy-five percent of the world’s unvaccinated children reside in the 25 priority countries. Immunization is a central component of USAID’s strategy to prevent maternal and child deaths. USAID is working with national governments; UNICEF,WHO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, key donors, civil society and others to build sustainable health systems able to provide timely and safe universal coverage of life-saving immunizations to all children.
USAID supports immunization programs through a variety of mechanisms. Over the years, USAID has evolved as one of five “Anchor Donors” to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Between 2001 and 2018, USAID will have contributed more than $2 billion to Gavi. The Agency commitment to Global Polio Eradication, which amounted to $59 million in 2018, has been strong and steady since 1996, and before that in the America’s beginning in 1988. While a disease eradication effort is intrinsically different in its approach, USAID is committed to the possibilities for stronger immunization and health systems as a result of the polio eradication effort. Complementing the very large investments in Gavi and polio, USAID supports a flagship maternal and child health program, the Maternal and Child Survival Project (MCSP), through which USAID Missions can access technical support for immunization programming in support of their in-country bilateral programs. Finally, USAID Missions support immunization activities through their own bilateral programs. The Global Immunization Program and Policy Advisor will advise efforts to strengthen USAID’s approach to immunization through all of these mechanisms.
The MCHN Office serves as the Agency’s technical and policy lead on maternal and newborn health; child survival; immunization; and nutrition, with a focus on preventing child and maternal deaths. Cross-cutting activities managed by the Office in support of this goal address private sector partnerships, social and behavior change communication, multilateral partnerships, gender, research, and monitoring and evaluation. The CHI Division provides technical and policy leadership, addressing the leading killers of children in the post-neonatal period. This includes treatment of pneumonia, diarrhea, and other major contributors to death, vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as emerging issues. The Division Chief will be the USAID point of contact for the Global Immunization Program and Policy Advisor.
The Global Immunization Program and Policy Advisor will work across USAID’s immunization portfolio.
More specifically, the Advisor will
1) Demonstrate global technical leadership by influencing policies and programs;
2) Provide technical assistance to USAID Mission immunization programs;
3) Develop and operationalize the Agency’s strategic approach for immunization; and 4) Coordinate the technical efforts of the immunization team.
Global Technical Leadership (40%)
* Serves as subject-matter expert in advising USAID’s efforts to leverage programmatic and financial resources with other Agencies, such as UNICEF and WHO, in order to strengthen immunization programs;
* Participates in inter-agency and global meetings, consultations, working groups, and negotiations related to immunization;
* Makes presentations on USAID’s approaches, strategies, and accomplishments in immunization programs;
* Provides technical assistance for the Global Health Bureau in global discussions related to immunization with international partners;
* Keeps abreast of new developments & emerging issues that affect USAID’s health priorities;
* Leads technical planning and supports implementation of Agency-level initiatives and public relations activities related to immunization programs;
* Prepares briefers or other documents to summarize USAID activities and progress in immunization programs;
* Prepares and presents technical presentations at regional USAID health officers meetings and workshops as appropriate;
* Participates in global working groups that are related to the Agency’s investment in Gavi; and
* Monitors and analyzes trends and issues related to immunization and applies these analyses to global, regional and country level programs supported by USAID.
Support to Country Programs (20%)
* Provides state-of-the-art technical and programmatic expertise, assistance and support to the GH Bureau, regional bureaus and USAID field missions in the development and evaluation of immunization-related strategies, programs, and policies;
* Monitors, evaluates and analyzes USAID immunization program progress; participate in country-level activities, as required; and
* Facilitates the gathering of immunization data for reporting.
Develop and operationalize an Agency strategic approach for immunization n to ensure prudent investment of MCH resources in immunization (20%)
* Leads technical efforts to develop and support implementation of an immunization strategy that highlights USAID’s comparative advantage and coordinates immunization activities with the other Offices and Bureaus within the Agency;
* Coordinates with the newborn and child health teams to foster relationships across the Office and Bureau to strengthen immunization programming;
Coordinate Immunization Team (20%)
* Provides technical leadership to a team that includes a range of technical experts, administrative staff, and consultants to support the Agency’s immunization portfolio;
* Contributes to the day-to-day coordination of the immunization team;
* Recommends immunization team travel and participation to global and regional meetings;
* Identifies and helps operationalize opportunities to harmonize immunization programming, health systems strengthening investments, and monitoring/evaluation activities with activities;
* Prepares briefers or other documents to summarize USAID activities and progress in immunization. Monitors and analyzes trends and issues related to child health, and applies these analyses to global, regional and country level programs supported by USAID; and
* Provides the technical vision and organizes the routine work of the immunization team, including preparation of portfolio reviews and reports and reviews of mission/bureau documents such as annual reports and operational plans.
The expertise and experience required for this Global Immunization Program and Policy Advisor position include:
* Master’s degree and 11+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
* Knowledge of current issues in the areas of international health policy, research, and program implementation with special reference to immunization programs and vaccines.
* Knowledge of and experience working with GAVI.
* Degree in a health sciences field or in a field related to international public health.
* Experience working in developing countries.
* Ability to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate donor programs, especially for immunization programs.
* Ability to effectively collaborate with multiple partners including UN agencies/multilateral organizations, other bilateral donors, NGOs, universities, foundations, etc.
* Proven knowledge and experience with USAID programs, procedures, and systems for program design, monitoring, evaluation is preferred.
* Demonstrated technical leadership, policy experience, and problem-solving skills working on complex projects are required.
* Excellent leadership, communications and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a broad range of partners and USG personnel.
* Excellent oral, written communication and computer skills.
* Ability to spend up to 30% of the time in international travel.
* US citizenship or permanent residency required.
* The ability to obtain and maintain, at a minimum, a facility access clearance.
* Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned at the direction of the CHI Division Chief.
This is an opportunity for employment or a contract, but we reserve the right to make no selection or award.
Social Solutions International and CAMRIS International offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Please submit your resume online at www.camris.com
Social Solutions and CAMRIS are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.