The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports the efforts of the Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to eradicate polio in these last remaining polio-endemic countries. Cases of paralytic poliovirus increased in both Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2018. To address this risk, GPEI and other stakeholders are exploring ways to improve population immunity against poliovirus, including greater “convergence” of polio eradication activities with routine immunization and further integration of other health services with vaccination. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation seeks a Program Officer to engage with national and provincial governments and immunization partners to improve routine immunization (RI), increase synergy between polio eradication and immunization activities and support efforts to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio, for generations to come.
The PO will work closely with national Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and polio eradication stakeholders in both Pakistan and Afghanistan to develop, implement and monitor strategies for rapidly improving immunization coverage in the highest risk subnational areas. Working as a GPEI core partner within the national and provincial Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), this role will collaborate closely with implementing partners like WHO, UNICEF and civil society organizations (CSOs) as well as Gavi to ensure these strategies are aligned with the polio National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP), national health and immunization plans and provincial health plans. A strong understanding of immunization service delivery in conflict areas and coordination with humanitarian response actors will also be required. The PO will offer strong monitoring and evaluation expertise, linked with improved management and accountability, towards new and innovative strategies for improving program linkages, strengthening routine immunization, and eradicating polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This role will be based in Seattle, USA, and will be expected to undertake up to 40% international travel.
- Provide advisory, strategic planning and technical support to the national and provincial EPI programs through the polio Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in Pakistan and Afghanistan on polio and immunization ‘convergence’ activities
- Work closely with the EOCs, EPI and partners at national and provincial levels, to coordinate practical operationalization of activities that leverage polio resources to help strengthen RI in polio priority areas
- Coordinate with immunization partners, including WHO, UNICEF, and civil society organizations
- Manage consultants and grantees engaged to provide immunization delivery and other health service support to the Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as Provincial Governments
- Engage with government immunization technical leadership for technical strategy development, joint planning, partner oversight and, where possible, validation of field activities
- Participate in Gavi Joint Appraisals, EPI reviews and other national and/or regional immunization activities
- Liaise with high level government and donor leadership
- Collaborate across Program Strategy Teams (PSTs) and foundation leadership
- Expectation of up to 40% international travel
We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment in which they thrive, will do phenomenal things.
Core Knowledge & Skills
- Leadership abilities to work with multiple stakeholders, including government, other donors, grantees to create a common vision and visualize simple and effective but implementable solutions to complex problems.
- Strong strategic thinker with experience developing evidence-based strategic or operational plans as well as shaping and managing sustainable and scalable ventures
- Experienced coalition builder with background of creating effective partnerships and establishing cross-sectoral linkages
- Demonstrates strong personal initiative and ability to be self-directed, but also a strong collaborator and team member
- Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, political, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate with a wide range of partners and audiences, including with the foundation senior management
- Works with efficiency and diplomacy
Education & Experience
- At least five years of direct experience in health care delivery and/or public health management in low-resource and/or conflict settings
- Previous experience working in Pakistan and/or Afghanistan is desirable
- Strong understanding of, and ideally direct experience with vaccination/immunization programs, including basic planning, delivery, and community engagement strategies
- Previous experience with activities aimed at polio eradication and/or other supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) is necessary