Background:
JSI Research and Training Institute Inc. / Universal Immunization through Improving Family Health Services (JSI/UI-FHS) is designed and implemented in collaboration with the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH). The goal of JSI/UI-FHS is to learn, document, and share evidence with the Ministry and other stakeholders about how universal immunization might be achieved through affordable and sustainable approaches to reach all women and children with potent lifesaving vaccines.
With funding from Gavi (administered through CDC Foundation with technical collaboration from CDC), JSI/UI-FHS will be managing the implementation of activities as part of a 3 group cluster-randomized controlled trial to explore strategies to reduce missed opportunities for measles vaccination among children in rural Ethiopia. The trial will measure: 1) the effectiveness of improving health worker knowledge on when to open a measles vial for an eligible infant and 2) the effectiveness of improving health worker knowledge on when to open a measles vial for an eligible infant combined with switching from a 10-dose measles vaccine vial to a 5-dose measles vaccine vial. 60 total woredas in 5 zones of Oromia and Amhara regions are randomized to each of the 3 groups, so 20 woredas are within each study group.
JSI is responsible for three key activities as part of the implementation phase of the trial:
1) Health worker intervention orientation for two intervention groups (third group is control and will not receive orientation). First group will receive orientation and engaged in awareness building to open a measles vial regardless of the number of children to come for measles vaccination and a refresher training on how to record stock management data and vaccine administration data. The second group will receive the same orientation as the first group and will also oriented to using the 5-dose measles vials. JSI will also provide a refresher for the zonal health offices on proper data recording and reporting procedures and forms.
2) Measles vaccine supply logistics start-up support. JSI will work closely with subnational government supply chain staff to ensure the new vaccine is properly moved from Addis Ababa to the service delivery point using the normal distribution process. JSI will also provide assistance to ensure that facilities continuing to use 10-dose vials will receive additional supply to allow health workers to open a vial anytime an eligible child is present for vaccination.
3) Intervention field coordination and monitoring. In coordination with local government staff, JSI will provide ongoing support to monitor vaccine supply and troubleshoot any supply issues that occur. At woreda level, JSI will liaise with government staff to assess availability of vaccine administration and stock management data being reported from facility level on a monthly basis. With permission, JSI will compile this information on a regular basis.
The zonal coordinators will work closely with the National Coordinator based in Addis Ababa and will be responsible in assisting and establishing active system with government structure: zonal and woreda health office. Give the orientation to Regional, zonal, woreda and health facility level staff. Providing technical support to the woredas. Ensure proper distribution/transportation of the vaccine. Monitor availability of vaccines at facility level.
Each of the zonal coordinator for Oromia will cover two zones while in Amhara only one zone, as follows:
- Amhara region, for West Gojam: Finoteselam
- Oromia region, for Ilubabor and Bunobedele: Metu
- Oromia region, for East Wollega and Horo Guduru: Nekemet.
Major Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the daily management of all activities in assigned zone(s), in order to ensure effective project implementation.
- Participate in the training of trainers for orientation of health workers.
- Co-facilitate (with RHB staff) the orientations of health workers.
- Monitor the delivery of 5-dose Measles vials from woreda to service delivery points and provide assistance as needed to ensure that all intervention facilities (using both 5- and 10-dose vials) have sufficient stock throughout the course of the study.
- Compile monthly facility vaccine administration and stock management data for selected zones including number of measles doses administered and used.
- Provide technical support to the ZHDs, WHOs, and SDPs as relates to the scope of this project.
- Travel to zones/woredas for orientations and field coordination and monitoring (estimated 25% time).
- Perform other tasks, duties, and
- responsibilities as requested by the team.
Note: the job description might be revised based on the need as the project implementation evolve.
Job Requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, public health, or equivalent.
- At least five years of experience working in public health including significant experience in, and knowledge of, Ethiopia’s EPI program
- Vaccine commodity management experience is an advantage including mBrana for vaccine order and data management
- Working knowledge of EPSA and EPSA systems an advantage
- Knowledge of the vaccine supply chain system including cold chain management systems, ideally for vaccines, including technology, infrastructure, and systems
- Experience with facilitation of trainings/orientations, capacity building of subnational and field level health workers and preparation of training materials.
- A proven ability to work as a part of a team but be self-managing of own time and results, and to be a proactive and clear communicator.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills in English; fluent in local language
- Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Previous JSI work experience or knowledge of JSI an advantage.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can submit their application to: [email protected]
Write “Position title & Location /Duty station” on subject line of your application.
Application documents should be combined into ONE Pdf. or word (doc/docx) file, the cover /application letter being the first page followed by the CV with the file name format: “your full name_position_Location.pdf”
Please provide us three names with their contact addresses as references.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.
N.B: Applications not conforming to the above directions will NOT be considered. No phone calls please.
More Information
- Job City Oromia-Nekemet, Oromia- Metu, Finoteselam, Amhara
