Vaccines Program Manager

Overview:
The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) recently reached a strategic decision to apply the techniques it has used successfully to improve access to HIV/AIDS and malaria treatment in developing countries to essential vaccines. CHAI is planning to support national governments of high burden countries to accelerate the introduction and uptake of life-saving pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines. The first large countries to introduce these vaccines will present essential learning opportunities to inform introductions throughout the rest of the developing world.

More broadly, CHAI’s aim is to support new vaccine introduction in order to contribute to the global achievement of MDG 4. Building on the experience of its existing work in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Malawi, CHAI is now expanding its work in vaccines to Nigeria . With a population of 150 million, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Nigeria has higher than average infant mortality and under-5 mortality rates when compared to other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. The country suffers a heavy burden of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Pneumococcal disease, among other vaccine-preventable diseases. While the country faces enormous challenges to improving its routine immunization program, the importance of new vaccine introduction cannot be overlooked.

We are seeking a talented, highly motivated, and flexible individual with experience working in developing countries. Over the next year, the candidate will be working to develop CHAI’s multi-year vaccines support strategy in Nigeria. The candidate must be able to function independently and flexibly and have a strong commitment to excellence. CHAI places great value on personal qualities including resourcefulness, responsibility, tenacity, independence, energy, and work ethic. Experience working in immunization is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Lead development of CHAI’s multi-year vaccines support strategy in Nigeria
• Provide support on the development of CHAI Nigeria’s Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health strategy which will include a vaccines support strategy
• Cultivate strong working relationships with all levels of the Nigerian government, including through on-site support to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), collaborating directly with the Executive Director, Director of Immunization, and staff
• Represent CHAI’s interests at the Vaccines and MNCH Technical Working Groups (TWG) and provide appropriate technical support to the TWGs as necessary
• Provide management and coordination support across major priorities of the NPHCDA’s Immunization Program especially in the development of vaccines introduction plans
• Develop key long-term relationships with government and critical immunization partners including but not limited to WHO, UNICEF, USAID, MNCH-PRINN and Rotary International
• Develop and implement targeted operational research and conduct information-gathering and data analysis to inform CHAI’s work, particularly in the areas of costing and financial planning
• Develop a set of key technical skills that will enable CHAI to act as a key partner and contributor to NPHCDA’s vaccine introduction plans
• Pursue new funding opportunities within the vaccines landscape and be fully engaged in the process from idea conception, proposal development to project implementation
• Foster working relationships with key state MOH and local government officials and with community-based organizations in selected and strategic states and develop an intimate understanding of vaccine introduction challenges at the secondary and primary health care level

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5-7 years of professional experience, with experience working in Nigeria as a significant plus
• Ability to establish relationships quickly at the government level to gain trust and work efficiently
• Exceptional analytical (qualitative and quantitative) and communication (written and verbal) skills
• Project management skills, ability to handle multiple work streams simultaneously with independent timelines for each
• Entrepreneurial mindset, including ability to work independently, self-motivate, and propose and implement new initiatives
• Ability to think strategically, handle ambiguity, and problem solve in a fast-paced, limited-structure, multicultural environment
• Fluency in English
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Experience working in immunization a significant plus
• Advanced degree in public health, medicine or business is a plus