State Immunization Technical Officer (SITO) at the Maternal and Child Survival Program - USAID

United States Agency for International Development (USAID/Nigeria) - The Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) is a global Cooperative Agreement funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed at introduction and supporting high-impact health interventions. This global program focuses on 24 high-priority countries, including Nigeria, with the ultimate goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths within a generation. MCSP country programs strive to ensure that all women, newborns and children have equitable access to the quality health care services that save lives.

John Snow, Inc. (JSI) is leading this technical assistance, drawing from more than 25 years of experience in over 40 developing and transitional countries of building the technical capacity of ministries of health and other partners to raise RI coverage sustainably, improve quality, and reduce illness and death due to vaccine-preventable diseases.

We seek the services of experienced and competent candidates to fill the below position:

Job Title: State Immunization Technical Officer (SITO)

Location: Bauchi
Position type: Full-time
Slot: 3

Job Descriptions

• Under the supervision of MCSP's Bauchi/Sokoto State Immunization Technical Advisor (SITA), the Bauchi/Sokoto State Immunization Technical Officer (SITO) will represent MCSP's technical support for the implementation of a three and a half-year, State-led, multi-partner initiative to strengthen the RI system and significantly and sustainably increase immunization coverage in Bauchi State.

Roles and Responsibilities
In close collaboration with the State and other RI partners in Bauchi and under the supervision of the Bauchi/Sokoto SITA the Key Responsibilities of the Bauchi/Sokoto SITOs will include:

• Coordinating and working closely with the BSPHCDA/SSPHCDA and other RI partners on a daily basis to ensure effective implementation of the quadripartite RI MOU in Bauchi State, with a focus on ensuring the timely, effective implementation of MCSP's technical assistance particularly at the LGA, health facility, ward, and community levels;
• Providing targeted technical assistance and capacity building support at the LGA, health facility, ward, and/or community level for and through the implementation of REW; micro-planning; supportive supervision; encouraging the use of data for decision making at the operational levels; fostering community linkages; monitoring the timely release and use of RI funds at the LGA and health facility levels: and other ongoing activities
• Actively participating in meetings and activities convened by/through the State Task Force on immunization (STFI), Bauchi State RI Working Group and sub-working groups, and Emergency Operations Center (EOC), including during review and planning exercises
• Representing MCSP to the BSPHCDA, EOC, STFI, and/or other RI partners through active participation in State-level meetings, technical advisory groups, working groups, and other coordinating forums
• Championing and actively contributing to ongoing cross-teaming efforts, in close collaboration with MCSP's technical team, the State, USAID, and other partners at all operational levels, and across states as appropriate
• Contributing to the development, adaptation, and dissemination of national guidelines and policies at the state level, as appropriate.
• Supporting RI- and PHC-related advocacy activities at the state level, using evidence-based data on community knowledge, attitudes, and practices around RI
• Supporting the implementation, analysis, and documentation of operations research to determine the costs of implementing RI programs at the LGA level
• Contributing to the development monitoring and reporting of program and Bauchi State RI Harmonized MOU indicators, and improved use of data for decision making
• Documenting meetings and share proceedings/minutes with other MCSP colleagues in country, and with other Bauchi RI partners as appropriate; promoting the transparent, timely, and consistent flow of information and communications both internally and externally
• Contributing to USAID technical progress reports, work plans, and other technical documents as required: actively participating in and contributing to Bauchi State RI Harmonized MOU and MCSP annual workplan development and reviews
• Participating in routine MCSP team, technical, and other meetings as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Health professional with Bachelor's (minimum) or Higher Degree in Public Health or related field.
• At least five (5) years field work experience in Public (including government) or private organizations supporting the implementation of Public Health (including routine immunization) programs
• Proven technical capacity in supporting the implementation and supervision of RI services in Nigeria, including support to LGAs and health facilities. Related experience at the state level is highly desirable. Bauchi-specific experience and knowledge strongly preferred
• Knowledge of national- and state-level policies, strategies, programming landscape, and evidence relevant to RI and related health areas
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and demonstrated ability and poise in partnering and communicating with diverse groups of stakeholders
• Dynamic and energetic team player able to both represent one's team in high-level settings and "roll up one's sleeves" to provide broad-ranging support to tasks great and small as needed (from technical to operational/administrative)
• Creative thinker, motivated to advocate for innovative approaches to strengthen RI, and motivated to encourage collaboration and healthy competition at operational levels
• Demonstrated experience supporting the development and tracking of activity budgets
• Strong computer literacy including in Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Fluent in spoken and written English, and verbal proficiency in at least one local dialect
• Knowledge of statistics and data management applications an asset
• Previous work experience with USAID-funded programs a strong asset
• Available for potential, occasional travel to Abuja and/or Sokoto if needed

Application Closing Date
Friday, 5th June, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV's and letter of motivation to: [email protected]