EPI Assistant - COVID 19 at International Rescue Committee

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by hostility and disaster; to survive, recover, and regain control of their future. The IRC has been working in Kenya since 1992, where it implements programs in health, nutrition, governance and rights, Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE), Protection, and Economic Recovery and Development (ERD).

Under the supervision of the Community Health Officer, the EPI Assistant shall be responsible in the implementation of coordinated immunization programming and activities while working together with a team of community health volunteers within the refugee camp and surrounding host community.

Key Responsibilities

Program management

• Assist, plan and support the MOH on collection of vaccine, syringes and other logistics from EPI depot and distribution to facility levels.
• Act as a resource person when prioritizing resources for operations and management.
• Ensuring all health facilities to run as EPI fixed center and regular outreach vaccination service.
• Ensure that standard procedures for cold chain maintenance are followed for storage of vaccines.
• Conduct training and ongoing capacity building opportunities for CHWs and other staff at various levels with a focus on building the capacity of staff within Fafi Sub County.
• Craft and implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems; ensure consistent reporting and analysis of results to improve program efficiency and quality.
• Provide timely feedback to the MOH staff of the 5 Sub- County health facilities, related to data quality issues such as accuracy and completeness so it will be corrected.
• Coordinate disease surveillance to gauge the burden of various EPI diseases.
• Conduct support supervision with the Sub- County MOH in the various health facilities and share reports of performances and challenges.

Human Resource management

• Participate in continuous professional development and build capacity of the EPI Outreach team and Community Resource
• Persons and recommend appropriate continuous education of the CHWs and EPI resources.
• Engage in the recruitment of CHW’s and EPI vaccinators and go in for the orientation of CHW’S and EPI vaccinators.
• Conduct appraisal of CHW’s and EPI Vaccinators on quarterly basis and provide mentorship and coaching.

Reporting and communication

• Submit accurate and complete weekly/monthly reports on timely basis to the CHP Officer/ Health Manager.
• Together with MOH, participate in support supervision with IRC.

Qualifications

• Diploma in community health or related field; dynamic EPI trainings and certifications.
• At least 3 years progressive public health related field experience.
• Proven experience in working with communities with diverse cultural practices and low literacy levels.
• An outstanding teammate with excellent communication skills and ability to work under pressure in a stressful environment, displaying patience, compassion, and diplomacy.

Required Experience & Proficiencies:

• Digital literacy: word and excel are required prerequisites.
• Able to work in a team environment as well as work well independently with very minimal direction.
• Flexible, diplomatic and can live and function in a remote and potentially insecure environment