Successful delivery of the Measles and Rubella (MR) programme objectives across all three control strategies: routine immunisation, supplementary immunisation activities, and outbreak response;
Successful forecasting, planning, application, implementation, and evaluation of 1) measles/MR second dose introductions; 2) rubella-containing vaccine introductions; and 3) measles and MR campaigns in Gavi-supported countries;
Achievement of MR-related Gavi 5.0 strategic goals and performance indicators, including number of MCV2 and RCV routine introductions, MR campaign coverage, proportion of measles ‘zero-dose’ children reached in MR campaigns and timeliness of MR outbreak response activities;
Ensure that Gavi processes, policies and strategies, such as application, reporting, and investment strategies, accommodate the specificities of the MR programme;
Contribute to the achievement of the Vaccine Programme team (VP) objectives.
Main Duties/Responsibilities :
Lead strategic discussions for the MR programme with internal and external stakeholders to ensure achievement of Gavi 5.0 strategic goals and objectives pertaining to strengthened routine immunisation, new vaccine introductions, improved quality, effectiveness and integration of preventive campaigns and timely outbreak response immunisation;
Lead the coordination and collaboration with Alliance partners for establishment of MR programme priorities and for agreement on provision of technical assistance on a country-by-country basis, including achievement of high routine MCV1 and MCV2, support of quality applications for Gavi funding, successful and timely MCV2 and MR routine introductions and high quality and coverage MR campaign launches that consider effective integration with other vaccines and primary health interventions, and support of evaluations/surveys in Gavi countries, leveraging the Partners Engagement Framework;
Lead the Gavi MR programme-related application, review, and approval processes for MR applications, in coordination with internal (Country Support, HSIS, Portfolio Financial Management) and external stakeholders (WHO, UNICEF, CDC), including:
Coordination of technical assistance of Alliance partners for development of high quality, context appropriate targeting and integration of other vaccines and/or primary health interventions in country applications;
Briefing of countries on Gavi application and implementation requirements for the MR programme;
Briefing of the Independent Review Committee (IRC) on the MR programme;
Lead the pre-screening of the programmatic components of the country applications (plans and budgets), including providing feedback to countries;
Attending IRC meetings and review of IRC country reports;
Review and assess country responses to IRC action points;
Monitor the status of Gavi MR programmes in post-IRC processes, including elements such as:
Monitor country readiness status, leveraging tools such as the WHO SIA readiness assessment tool;
Lead the oversight of in-country post-introduction and/or post-campaign activities, including post campaign coverage surveys to validate campaign coverage and measure the proportion of measles zero dose children reached;
Lead the development of the MR-specific sections of the Vaccine Funding Guidelines, as well as contribute to any relevant sections of other Gavi guidelines (zero dose, HSS, etc.);
Lead the development and renewal of the measles outbreak response fund (ORF) memorandums of understanding with WHO and UNICEF, as per Gavi Board approval;
Participate in the review of MR outbreak response fund proposals as part of the measles outbreak response working group led by WHO, and monitor timeliness of outbreak response as per the agreed indicators;
Contribute to the Full Portfolio Planning processes, including through coordination of Alliance Partners, to ensure all the required MR considerations are captured in the 5 year plan for each country (MCV routine coverage, MCV2/RCV introductions, supplementary immunization activities, surveillance);
Support the annual grant renewal process for MR routine programmes, including review of any requests for switch of presentation, in collaboration with the Vaccine Forecasting team;
Support the development and update of the MR operational demand forecast and MR financial forecast in collaboration with the Vaccine Forecasting and Finance teams;
Manage the short term and longer term supply considerations, liaising with Market Shaping (MS) team and UNICEF Supply Division, including on generation of country demand for novel presentations;
Coordinate programme-specific meetings with relevant experts and stakeholders from the Gavi Secretariat, WHO, UNICEF, donors and others, such as the Technical Working Group, for continuous optimisation of the Gavi Measles & Rubella strategy;
Provide programme specific briefing to SCMs and other internal stakeholders as needed;
Serve as the focal point, programme champion and disease area ‘expert’ in its assigned product area to internal (e.g. external relations) and external stakeholders (e.g. donors) to provide:
Regular report on actual vaccine roll-out status against plan for key governance meetings (e.g. Policy and Performance Committee and Board) and on request by specific stakeholders when required;
Vaccine specific information including: product presentations, efficacy, safety, current suppliers, price points (in collaboration with MS team), and evolution of demand;
High-level disease area information such as burden of disease, vaccine cost effectiveness data other treatment options, latest publications (in liaison with the Monitoring and Evaluation team);
Liaise with Communications team to provide vaccine specific information around particular media events (e.g. annual measles estimates) and supporting standard and ‘back-pocket’ Q&As; as well as provide and coordinate input during crisis communications (i.e. recall/WHO prequalification de-listings, safety alerts).
Work Experience:
Minimum of 8 years in programme, project or product management experience at global level in healthcare sector (public or private) is necessary – vaccine specific experience is required;
Public health or development-related experience ideally in both global/regional and developing countries settings;
Familiarity with multilateral agencies and key public health donors, as well as vaccine manufacturers;
Understanding of biological product development and production would be advantageous.
Skills:
Excellent project management skills;
Extensive familiarity with global health and development;
Solid knowledge of global health and development in general and vaccines and infectious disease in specific;
Outstanding analytical and writing skills;
Strong leadership and management skills;
Excellent representational and communications skills;
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organisation.
Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English;
Excellent knowledge of French is highly desirable;
Knowledge of languages of Gavi eligible countries is desirable (e.g. Russian, Portuguese).
