The Senior Program Officer, Vaccine Delivery position is aimed at sustainably improving routine immunization coverage in the country with focus on select high-priority sub-national geographies. We work in close collaboration with national and state governments and their Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) staff, as well as immunization partners such as WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, Gavi, Civil Society Organizations, NGOs and other donors. We seek field-oriented candidates familiar with routine immunization programs in India to help design, implement, and monitor strategies that cost effectively, equitably, and sustainably improve full immunization coverage among India’s children. This, we believe, is critical to India’s achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The SPO will both originate investments and advise on investments originated by other Program Officers of the broader ICO Health team particularly UP and Bihar. S/he will be knowledgeable about Indian as well as global immunization program related issues and bring expertise to (co-)develop and manage investments that support innovative approaches to improve coverage and equity. This role also entails building strong relationships and acting as a guide to external partners, particularly government and government’s supporting institutions. S/he will maintain relationships with national and state governments, grantees, and development partners as needed to ensure coordination and collaboration for greater collective impact.
This position reports to the Deputy Director, Vaccine Delivery, India Country Office and will work closely with other ICO teams primarily Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Policy and Behaviour Change Communication as well as Seattle-based Vaccine Delivery, Enteric & Diarrheal Diseases and Pneumonia teams.
- Engage national and sub-national immunization technical staff on an agreed strategy to strengthen government routine immunization program leading to sustainable improvements in immunization coverage & equity
- Work towards designing integrated strategies with other health systems strengthening activities of BMGF for effective implementation of Ministry’s roadmap towards achieving and sustaining 90% FIC in key States of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
- Monitor field activities periodically, together with government counterparts and development partners, to validate planned activities, support amendments to strategy and provide internal as well as external feedback
- Engage sub-national political leadership on the importance of routine immunization as a development priority, improve visibility for immunization activities and support their accountability for health outcomes
- Develop strong partnerships and coordinate with other donors and immunization partners, including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and civil society organizations on activities nationally and in select sub-national geographies
- Provide impactful thought leadership to above-mentioned institutions on immunization that can shape national policies and practices
- Make and lead well-structured and risk-mitigated investments in alignment with foundation and government strategy to accelerate the current work and address gaps in fulfilling current goals
- Diffuse successful models and practices nationwide, building on the experience gained in India or in developing countries by the foundation, governments, or other development partners
- Contribute to foundation’s Integrated Health Strategy for India, by helping to evolve bodies of work related to immunization coverage and equity, with emphasis on strengthening UP and Bihar routine immunization program
- Work in teams to develop, advise, and lead well-scoped, well-structured investments (grants and/or contracts) to execute against these bodies of work related to immunization coverage & equity
- Work in partnership with foundation colleagues in India and Seattle to build and maintain relationships with global agencies, donors, government, researchers, implementers, and other external partners to develop innovative results-driven plans and interventions
- Use data and learning from foundation-supported investments and global evidence to consult with grantees and other partners to ensure continuous learning that shapes strategy, policy, and programs
- Organize partners meetings, convene technical and strategic consultations as needed
- Conduct thorough analyses of grants and contracts, grantee progress reports; write high quality briefing documents that synthesize results and learnings for leadership and the ICO Health Team
- 15 years of experience in routine immunization programming in India, preferred, including recent (approx. 5 years) association with Government of India’s goal to reach 90% Full Immunization Coverage
- Strong understanding of, and ideally direct experience with vaccination and other health programs, including basic planning, delivery, and community engagement strategies
- Knowledge of GAVI Health Systems Strengthening grants
- Extensive experience in engaging government, donors, and implementing partners to develop and effectively lead strategic partnerships
- Demonstrated ability to work in a highly matrixed and diverse work environment, with strong collaboration and diplomacy skills
- Passion for solving complex problems with experience of developing evidence-based strategic or operational plans as well as shaping and leading sustainable and scalable ventures
- Experience leading complex and high stakes change processes requiring significant change management expertise
- Proven ability to structure and manage high-return, well-risk-mitigated grants, with clear milestones and outcomes
- Familiarity with policy, advocacy, and strategic communications for advancing programmatic goals
- Excellent analytical thinking and communications skills, including writing and public speaking skills with fluency in English and Hindi
- Results-driven and self-motivated with ability to inspire the pursuit of excellence
- Ability to travel up to 40% of time domestically and internationally