PATH is an international organization that drives transformative innovation to save lives and improve health, especially among women and children. We accelerate innovation across five platforms—vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, devices, and system and service innovations—that harness our entrepreneurial insight, scientific and public health expertise, and passion for health equity. By mobilizing partners around the world, we take innovation to scale, working alongside countries primarily in Africa and Asia to tackle their greatest health needs. Together, we deliver measurable results that disrupt the cycle of poor health.
PATH health system strengthening team (HSS) is working closely with the Ministry of Health to improve service delivery and care for the Senegalese population and the region. We are strengthening vaccine and drug availability and supply chains and supporting the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), which aims to prevent worldwide epidemics by strengthening disease surveillance and laboratory and health information systems. Our Senegal program also serves as a hub for testing and field validation of new devices and health interventions.
We are seeking a Senior Program Officer :
- The senior program officer will work 80% of his time on vaccine- and supply chain-related activities and 20% on supporting GHSA immunization activities.
- Team leadership and people performance management.
- Working in close collaboration with all partners and in particular the immunization team at Ministry of Health in implementing project activities.
- The person will be responsible for planning, preparing, launching, and executing activities in Senegal and potentially in other West African countries related to:
- Monitoring and assessment of innovative cold chain equipment (e.g., Sure Chill refrigerators) in collaboration with MOH.
- Data collection and analyses of the impact of altering the quantity of doses per container (DPC) for vaccines in collaboration with global PATH team and MOH.
- Other projects related to immunization supply systems (e.g., use of Vayu unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver vaccines and/or other health commodities) and vaccine management as needed.
- Participate in meetings with collaborating agencies and industry representatives.
- Work closely with PATH project leads at headquarters (Seattle), the Senegal Ministry Health, and others partners when relevant to develop protocols, data collection forms, and training materials for project activities and be the contact with the MOH to gauge interest for new project proposals.
- Coordinate execution of any required legal agreements between PATH, the Ministry of Health, and other implementing partners as needed.
- Plan and execute trainings with support from administrative staff, partners, and consultants.
- Monitor performance of trained staff and partners, and plan refresher training sessions and ongoing capacity building as needed.
- Supervision:
- Ensure periodic supervision in the field for the best progress of the implementation of the overall projects.
- Ensure regular data collection according to the indicators through field visits and regular contact with local staff and service providers.
- Hire, monitor and supervise consultants to ensure that deliverables are of good quality and on time.
- Overseeing implementation of ongoing/proposed activities:
- Provide support on the ongoing Sure Chill activities in the field during the final phase 2 studies.
- Provide support on the implementation of DPC project activities in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
- Provide support on the implementation of Vayu Project regarding UAV testing in Senegal with collaboration of MoH.
- Documentation and reporting:
- Write brief monthly reports on activity progress for each project.
- Request and obtain secondary immunization program data such as DVDMT files from MOH to inform project activities.
- Provide analysis of collected data and results in collaboration with PATH’s project leads to inform overall project monitoring and evaluation effort.
- Provide review of final project reports as requested.
- Contribute to manuscripts for publication as requested.
- Contribute to business development activities around immunization and supply chains.
- Any other activities as requested by the GHSA coordinator.
Required Experience
- BS in public health or related field (Healthcare Administration, Project Management, Healthcare Organization, etc.).
- At least 3 years of previous experience working in immunization.
- A minimum of 6 years progressive work responsibility with strong project management.
- People management experience a strong plus.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities at high-management level.
- Demonstrated experience in implementing public health programs or programs in related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with national governments, international agencies, the private sector and non-governmental organizations, in resource poor settings.
- Innovative and results-oriented approach to problem solving.
- Proven success developing and implementing strategies to improve immunization coverage and processes in resource poor settings.
- Excellent knowledge of processes optimization approaches and change management.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative work environment with strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.
- Working knowledge of policy and regulatory issues related to vaccines or other health innovations into public health systems in Western and Francophone Africa.
- Ability and willingness to travel within Senegal and occasionally abroad approximately 30% of the time.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Fluency in English and French required.
- DHIS2 previous exposure a strong plus
