Sr. Health Officer

Job Overview:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking four senior health officers who will manage and coordinate a project titled “Scaling the Last Mile Delivery of Immunization Services: Reaching the Missed Community in Ethiopia.” The initiative focuses on introducing and scaling up the use of innovative Indigo backpacks to enhance immunization coverage and access to essential health services in Ethiopia.

The health officers will oversee the overall management, coordination, and day-to-day implementation of project activities, with a particular emphasis on deploying and evaluating the Indigo Backpack cold chain technology to strengthen vaccine delivery in remote and conflict-affected areas. The role involves leading regional planning and monitoring efforts, Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), and key partners, while ensuring adherence to IRC and donor compliance standards.

This position demands organizational, communication, and partnership skills to ensure efficient, timely, and high-quality execution of activities aimed at reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children across target regions. The position holders will be located in Afar, Tigray, Amhara and Oromia regions, in addition the position holder who will be deployed at Oromia will also be supporting Benishangul Gumuz and south Ethiopia regions.

Major Responsibilities

Program Implementation & Technical Support

• Support the implementation of the Gates Foundation-funded Indigo Backpack Device introduction and implementation research project in conflict affected regions` woredas adjacent to Gavi REACH sites, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Regional Health Bureaus.
• Provide technical assistance for the planning, deployment, and monitoring of Indigo devices introduction, implementation research and utilization ensuring alignment with IRC standards and national protocols.
• Work closely with IRC’s Health and Nutrition, and MEAL teams to strengthen immunization supply chain performance, including monitoring vaccine stock levels, cold chain equipment (CCE) status, and reporting vaccine wastage and stock incidents.
• Contribute to the development and use of vaccine consumption tools across supported locations, including outreach, mobile, and cross-border sites.
• Support the adoption and implementation of national immunization guidelines, SOPs, training materials, and waste disposal protocols.
• Technically support the immunization sessions using Indigo backpack devices

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Collaborate with MEAL and research teams to develop and submit timely IRC and donor reports.
• Maintain and share monthly activity reports with relevant stakeholders, including RHBs, Zonal and Woreda Health Offices, and IRC country office teams.
• Document lessons learned to contribute to the REACH learning agenda, particularly in strengthening immunization systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Coordination & Representation

• Represent IRC in regional health bureau, sector meetings, technical working groups, and vaccine logistics working groups (LWGs).
• Liaise with government officials, UN agencies, and other partners to ensure coordinated implementation and smooth communication.
• Assist in organizing workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns to strengthen health system capacity.

Grant & Budget Management

• Support the project coordinators and research & MEAL manager in monitoring budget expenditures, spending plans, and procurement schedules to ensure efficient grant management.

Other Duties

• Participate in team meetings and collaborative planning exercises.
• Ensure adherence to IRC’s standards for program management and technical quality.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: Collaborate with IRC’s Health and Nutrition, MEAL, Finance, HR, Supply Chain teams, and grant unit
• External: Engage with Regional Health Bureaus, Zonal and Woreda Health Offices, HEWs, community volunteers, and implementing partners involved in Indigo device deployment and immunization services

Safeguarding Responsibilities: -

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Job Requirements

Education: -

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, medicine, Public Health Officer, Nursing, or BA in Supply Chain Management (BA-SCM) with master’s degree in supply chain, public health and Logistics Management or related field is an added advantage.

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in health services, particularly in medical device introduction, implementation research, and vaccine/cold chain management.
• Experience working on immunizations in conflict-affected or hard-to-reach settings is an advantage
• Training, experience or TOT certification in Effective vaccine and cold chain management, IIP RED/REC preferred.
• Experience working with the Ministry of Health (MoH), Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), EFDA and EPSS, with strong understanding of national immunization supply chain policies and strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage teams, plan and supervise community-based health projects, and build capacity of government staff.
• Strong project management, financial management, analytical, and report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and digital data management tools.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities; ability to adapt to change proactively.
• Experience in new medical technology/ new medical device introduction, training and deployment and effective vaccine management will be a plus

Language:

• Fluency in English and language of the region of deployment Afaan Oromo, Tigrigna, Afar and Amharic.

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to travel as necessary to project intervention areas.

Skills Required:

• Health / Medical
• Logistics / Supply / Chain
• Pharmaceutical