AFCDC - Immunization Program Lead

Purpose of Job

To provide strategic leadership and technical oversight in strengthening primary health care systems for immunization service delivery across the life course. This includes 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

The main functions include:

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for the Africa CDC's immunization program, aligned with continental and global immunization goals.
• Identifying priorities and setting programmatic direction for strengthening immunization programs and addressing vaccine hesitancy in Africa.
• Overseeing the development and implementation of work plans for the immunization division.
• Advocating for increased political commitment and domestic resource allocation for immunization programs in African Union Member States.

Specific Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include:

• Providing technical guidance and support to Senior Technical Officers-Immunization at the Africa CDC Regional Coordinating Centers.
• Ensuring consistency and quality of technical assistance provided to Member States on national immunization strategies, immunization program strengthening, and primary healthcare system integration.
• Facilitating knowledge sharing and best practice exchange across the Africa CDC Regional Coordinating Centers and Member States.
• Representing the Africa CDC in technical discussions and negotiations with partners like Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF on immunization programs.
• Overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of the Africa CDC's immunization program, assessing progress towards set goals and objectives.
• Analyzing data on immunization coverage, vaccine hesitancy, and primary healthcare system capacity to inform program improvements.
• Preparing regular reports on the performance of the immunization program for internal and external stakeholders.
• Developing and implementing resource mobilization strategies to secure funding for the Africa CDC's immunization program.
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and other stakeholders to support immunization program goals.
• Fostering collaboration with Ministries of Health and other national partners in Member States.
• Expanding and strengthening 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, focusing 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.

Footer

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The appointment will be made on a fixed-term contract for a period of one (1) year, with the first three (3) months considered a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance, and agreed deliverables.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 126,440.93 (P5 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 108,357.41 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

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.

Skills Required:

• Health / Medical