MCSP/Regional Immunization Technical Officer : Kagera , Bukoba, Tanzania

JOHN SNOW, INC.
Maternal and Child Survival Program

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Organization and Program:

The Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) is the USAID/Bureau for Global Health’s flagship program that contributes to USAID’s commitment to Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths (EPCMD). MCSP is implemented by Jhpiego in partnership with John Snow, Inc. (JSI), Save the Children, ICF International, Results for Development, PATH, PSI, and CORE Group. Working closely with the USAID mission, Tanzania government, non- governmental organizations, local communities and partner agencies, MCSP supports the implementation of evidence-based public health interventions at scale to achieve the goals of Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths (EPCMD) over the next decade. JSI leads MCSPs immunization work and supports its country, regional, and global immunization initiatives through direct consultation, operational research, transfering information, and promising program approaches to those in the field. In Tanzania, the MCSP immunization team will work with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and its Immunization and Vaccines Division (IVD) to strengthen the routine immunization system toward achieving and sustaining optimal immunization coverage. Additionally, MCSP will provide support to IVD for the introduction of measles rubella (MR) and inactivated polio virus (IPV) vaccines in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

MCSP/Tanzania immunization work is concentrated at national and regional levels. Regional work is focused in the areas with more than 40 percent of unvaccinated children in Tanzania – Kagera, Tabora, and Simiyu. Routine immunization strengthening activities in these regions were initiated under MCSPs predecessor project, the USAID-funded Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCHIP), and will be continued in these areas. Tailored approaches to strengthening the immunization system to increase coverage will be implemented for each region. A Regional Immunizaiton Technical Officer will be based in Kagera to implement MCSPs immunization activities, and collaborate with other MCSP partners to implement an integrated package of activites in the region, with occasional travel to Mara.

Position: MCSP/Regional Immunization Technical Officer

Reports to: MCSP/Tanzania Immunization Technical Advisor Location: Kagera , Bukoba, Tanzania

Overall Responsibilities:

The MCSP Regional Immunization Technical Officer will be based in Kagera, with a focus on routine immunization and new vaccine introduction activities, including exploring the integration of immunization with other RMNCH activies, in collaboration with other MCSP partners. The officer will provide expertise towards the design, implementation, evaluation and documentation of interventions that lead to sustainable and high quality routine immunization coverage. This may include providing technical inputs to improve the planning, management, coordination, training, monitoring, and/or evaluation of routine immunization services in the regions. The officer will also provide limited technical support to the Mara region, which has better immunization indicators and performance when compared to Kagera, Tabora and Simiyu.

The officer will collaborate with all regional technical staff, Regional Health Management Teams (RHMT), partners, and other stakeholders on key program strategies and plans.

The officer will be a part of the MCSP team in Kagera and Mara. S/he will report to and be supervised by the MCSP/Tanzania Immunization Technical Advisor. The officer will also work with RHMTs, Community Health Management Teams (CHMT), and colleagues from other partner organizations in the Kagera and Mara regions.

Specific Duties:

Specific responsibilities of the Regional Immunization Technical Officer will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide technical support during regional and district primary health care (PHC) meetings in both Simiyu and Tabora regions.

• Serve as a technical advisor to the RHMT and CHMT on Immunization issues in both kagera and Mara regions.

• Contribute to strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of immunization technical activities of the RHMT in Kagera and Mara regions to improve the regional and district routine immunization programs and prepare for the introduction of new vaccines as per national level guidelines.

• Support the strategic planning and technical assistance to adaptation/use/integration of immunization data and information systems, liaising with key partners in Kagera region.

• Support the immunization capacity building activities in Kagera and Mara regions to improve Regional Immunization and Vaccine Officers (RIVOs) and District Immunization and Vaccine Officers (DIVOs) capacity, and health worker performance for RI and new vaccine introduction.

• Collaborate with RHMTs, CHMTs, RIVOS and DIVOs in assigned Kagera region to outline and implement the introduction plan and timeframe for MR and IPV vaccines introduction, including routine immunization system preparedness (e.g. with cold chain planning and training).

• Assist Kagera and Mara RHMTs, CHMTs, and other Immunization partners in the two regions with capacity building needs (including for new vaccine introduction preparations) and implementation of the Mid-level Manager training activities and Immunization In Practice training modules (e.g. with the regional immunization health management teams, zonal training centers, and IVD and partners). Will require close collaboration with IVD and the MCSP team at national level

• Consult with the National Immunization Technical Officer, IVD, and other partners to follow-up on the Reaching Every District (RED)/ Reaching Every Child (REC) training, micro planning (including identifying ways the Community Council Health Planning [CCHP] process can be improved), monitoring implementation, and conducting supportive supervision visits in the priority districts.

• Work with MCSP staff and other key partners in the Kagera region to explore opportunities to adapt the REC approach to other technical areas.

• Support microplanning with Kagera CHMTs strengthening the CCHP operational planning

• Identify and provide short term immunization technical input (e.g. capacity building and training activities, supportive supervision, assistance with immunization review meetings, RED guidance) to RHMTs and DHMTs, focusing on staff responsible for the immunization program.

• Conduct supportive supervision in collaboration with RHMT and the CHMTs of the selected districts in Kagera and Mara regions. Prioritize the underperforming districts of Kagera.

• Provide assistance in conducting quarterly Immunization review meetings in selected districts

• Provide technical support in conducting Data Quality Self Assessment exercise in the Kagera region

• Compile and analyze data to monitor and evaluate project performance; collaborate with partners in Kagera region to analyze and utilize the data to take corrective actions.

• Collaborate with the MCSP/Tanzania Immunization Technical Advisor and the MCSP/Tanzania team to prepare and implement work plans and budgets and submit technical reports to the National Immunization Advisor

• Maintain close contact with the MCSP/Tanzania team.

• Provide inputs into annual work planning, quarterly and monthly detailed implementation planning, and developing activity budgets to be submitted with monthly cash flow projection.

• Provide inputs into the MCSP/TZ monthly and quarterly reports

• Other duties as assigned by the MCSP/Tanzania Immunization Technical Advisor

QUALIFICATIONS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:

• Citizen of Tanzania

• MPH or medical/nursing clinical degree and more than five years of experience in the field of public health, with specialization in immunization and maternal/child health.

• At least five years of work experience in a management position with EPI.

• Experience with managing immunization programs and child health programs, including provincial and/or district-based work

• Knowledge of the Tanzanian Ministry of Health structure at all levels will be an added advantage for this position

• Experience in working in a multi-agency/organizational environment

• English communications skills, both verbal and written.

• Strong analytical skills

• Strong computer literacy required (especially Excel, MSWord and Windows)

Mode of Application:
Submission may be sent to the address below not later than Friday 31st October, 2014. Channel your application to the below link.

Link: https://johnsnowinc.mytribehr.com/careers

Only candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date, kindly assume that your application was not successful. JSI is an equal opportunity employer.