Immunization Specialist Consultant

VillageReach transforms health care delivery to reach everyone. We are driven by a vision of a world where each person has the health care needed to thrive. VillageReach works with governments, the private sector, partners, and communities to build responsive primary health care systems that deliver health products and services to the most-under-reached. As a locally driven and globally connected organization working across Africa, VillageReach’s primary goal is to reduce inequities in access to quality primary health care for 350 million people by 2030.

Since 2015, VillageReach has been collaborating with the DRC Government to address health systems challenges to improve last-mile delivery of vaccines through the next generation of supply chain (NGCA), outsourced drones transport for health product distribution private sector engagement, supply chain investment and coordination, gender-focused polio community-based engagement, polio special vaccine strategies in riverine communities as well as technical assistance to immunization programs such as Mashako Plan and the Equity Accelerator Funds (EAF).

Scope of Work

In the 2021 WUENIC Immunization report, DRC ranked sixth (6th) among country accounting for the highest number of zero dose, counting over 734 000. Given the burden of zero-dose children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in July 2023, the DRC government received funding from Gavi to help reduce by 35% the number of zero dose children through specific interventions to be implemented in 11 of its 26 provinces.

The Equity Accelerator Fund (EAF) is a two-year investment that Gavi has granted to priority countries with a large number of zero-dose and under-immunized children, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through specific interventions that strengthen governance, and ensure the integration of equity and gender perspectives in improving supply and demand generation.

VillageReach is seeking an immunization specialist as a consultant to support the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to organize the national forum on the Equity Accelerator Funds that will convene multiple stakeholders in order to evaluate EAF implementation at the one-year mark.

The consultant will report to the Immunization Program Manager, based in Kinshasa.

Terms: This is a consultant position for 3 months running from September through November 2024.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Expanded Program on Immunization, GAVI country representatives, to elaborate the terms of references and budget for the forum
• Support the organization and development of key documents for the forum (agenda, presentations, travel logistics for guests, venue selection, etc.…)
• Identify potential risks related to the organization of the forum and develop mitigation strategies to address them
• Produce the national EAF report.
• Produce a blog on key learning from the national EAF forum
• Other responsibilities, as assigned.

Requirements

• Must have a degree in public health or in a related field.
• At least 5 years’ experience in immunization and public health, particularly program management;
• Prior experience documenting health program processes, including immunization and/or community engagement, preferably with disadvantaged communities and related to public or community health services.
• Prior experience in the development and/or implementation of EAF interventions in DRC is desired.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment.
• Proven success working with all levels of staff in a multicultural environment to achieve goals.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and reliable follow-through, with outstanding attention to detail.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, etc.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), and documents, and other web-based applications required.
• Excellent command of the French language in reading, writing and oral communication.
• Knowledge of spoken and written English is an asset.

Deliverables -- Date of deliverable

Terms of references and budgeting for the forum - 30 September 2024

Detailed stakeholder Engagement plan - 30 September 2024

Report of the forum - 15 November 2024

Comprehensive action plan based on the forum’s outcomes, outlining next steps, responsibilities and timeliness for implementing the recommendations - 15 November 2024

Blog on learning of the forum - 30 November 2024