Senior Immunisation specialist (100%), National position based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire At Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) is a world-leading institute in global health with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. Associated with the University of Basel, Swiss TPH combines research, services, and education and training at the local, national and international level. More than 900 people from around 80 nations work at Swiss TPH focusing on infectious and non-communicable diseases, environment, society and health as well as health systems and interventions.

The Swiss Centre for International Health (SCIH) of the Swiss TPH conducts consultancy, project management, training and applied research work in international health. Within our health sector portfolio, we are managing portfolios related to immunization programme strengthening and monitoring.

We are inviting applications for a:

Senior Immunisation specialist (100%)

National position based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

To best fit into our active, interdisciplinary team we are looking for candidates with a strong interest and solid proven experience in Expanded Programme for Immunisation (EPI) in Cote D’Ivoire or other country of the region.

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Have a solid knowledge of immunisation guidelines and policies at global level AND a proven experience of immunization planning and delivery at country level regarding routine immunisation services, Supplementary Immunization campaigns/Activities (SIAs) and new vaccine introduction (including COVID-19).
• Experience working in close collaboration with national EPI teams and their local partners, including facilitating continuous dialogue and coordination mechanisms between EPI, partners and relevant departments of the Ministry of Health for the effective implementation of activities.
• Familiarity with in-country governmental political and technical decision-making processes regarding the immunisation programme.
• Proven experience of coordination and management of Global Funds, Gavi or similar funded programmes and activities at national level.
• Proven experience of providing technical guidance and/or participating to EPI strategic and operational planning / budget development at country level, as well as immunization programme management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Good knowledge of the strength and weakness of the different EPI sub-components in the country (including Programme management, service delivery, data for immunization information system, workforce capacity, communication and demand generation).
• Be familiar with digital immunisation data collection, analysis and dissemination of immunisation program data and their integration into national health information management systems.
• Good knowledge of in-country immunization supply chain (iSC) systems and procedures for vaccines and immunisation material logistics including vaccine management, last-mile delivery, temperature monitoring and cold chain equipment.
• Excellent conceptual and analytical problem-solving skills (e.g., to analyse supply chain, health systems bottlenecks); driving innovations and new ways of thinking with ability to analyse and determine the applicability of data, draw conclusions and to make appropriate recommendations
• Strong capacity to provide appropriate technical inputs into the production of high quality reports for the Donor and technical brief for decision maker within agreed reporting schedules and as per agreed formats and mechanisms.

To best fit into our active, team we ask for the following requirements:

• Minimum of Master degree in public health, epidemiology, supply chain management/logistics management/operations management, procurement, immunisation and health system, or other related field; a PhD is an asset
• At least 10 years of experience in vaccine programmes’ implementation and evaluation; global immunization policy, National Immunization Strategy, Annual Operation Plan and budget ; Service Delivery platforms for immunization interventions ; EPI Monitoring and Evaluation strategy and tools, Coverage Survey implementation, Supplementary Immunization activities ; vaccine forecasting and procurement ;vaccines policies and regulations ; health systems strengthening.
• At least 5 years of experience related to immunization supply chain and cold chain, including cold chain equipment inventory ; cold chain expansion plan development, procurement and implementation ;temperature monitoring systems ; stocks management and distribution system design and last mile distribution.
• Experience in conducting health supply chain assessments, Effective Vaccine Management assessments would be an added value.
• Experience in vaccination campaign surveys and routine vaccination coverage surveys is an asset
• Good proficiency in French AND English(speaking & writing) required
• Ability to adapt quickly and manage clients independently
• Willingness and availability to travel within country, regionally and internationally
• High level of commitment and flexibility, good communication skills, strong spirit of team work, capacity to take initiative and ability to work independently with professionals in multi-cultural contexts.

An initial contract of two years will be offered, with possibility of renewal based on performance.