Vaccines and Immunization Lead at PATH

• This senior staff position in Kenya will work within Policy, Access, and Introduction (PAI) functional area of CVIA and will report to the East and Southern Africa Vaccine and Immunization Lead. In addition, in keeping with PATH’s collaborative matrix structure, this person will have a “dotted line” of reporting to the East Africa Regional Hub and Kenya Country Director to ensure effective integration into PATH’s regional presence in Kenya and throughout East Africa. The person in this position will focus on new vaccine introduction, system strengthening for routine immunization, technical assistance, post- vaccine introduction evaluations, and strategic planning. To be successful the person will need strong communication and collaboration skills, with connections to key stakeholders including the Kenya Ministry of Health (especially NVIP/EPI), UN agencies (e.g. WHO, UNICEF), other INGOs working on vaccines and immunizations, and local implementing organizations.
• The current needs of this position are to lead or support projects related to the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations, malaria vaccine introduction, Typhoid vaccine introduction, adoption of new immunization data systems, and technical assistance to strengthen national and county routine immunization programs.

Responsibilities:

New vaccine introduction

• Coordinate, plan, and provide key stakeholders with technical support, training, and guidance for new vaccine introduction, including COVID-19, Typhoid, and malaria. Support MOH in evaluating introduction activities and progress.
• Provide assistance as requested by MOH or other stakeholders for completing funding applications to Gavi and/or other donors.
• Develop curricula and provide training and education of health care workers, community-based organizations, and other partners to support vaccine service delivery.

Routine immunization system strengthening

• At national and subnational levels, contribute to strengthening national and county-level capacity for planning (especially microplanning), developing, and implementing programs to increase vaccine coverage, and to assure equitable distribution of vaccines.
• Work with PATH colleagues, MOH, and other partners to integrate where possible routine immunization into primary health care services.
• Support the demonstration, evaluation, and scale-up of digital health tools and platforms.

Communications and stakeholder relations

• Represent and serve as a primary technical liaison with MOH NVIP staff, relevant global stakeholders (e.g., WHO, UNICEF, Gavi) and other professional, research and academic institutions in Kenya and other East Africa countries.
• Collect and disseminate scientific and public health information on vaccines, through presentations to congresses, scientific sessions, groups of medical professionals, and various advisory groups.

Key Competencies

• Strong technical skills and knowledge on vaccines and immunization, immunization delivery systems (e.g. cold chain, supply/logistics).
• Strong interpersonal skills. Collaborative and able to build effective partnerships (internally and externally)
• Strong networks with the MOH with the ability to gather intelligence and effectively inform and support decision making at Ministry level
• Management and supervision
• Vaccine program planning and evaluation
• Business development capabilities in the immunization space.
• Strong written communication and presentation skills.

Required skills and experience:

• Master's degree in medicine, epidemiology, or public health
• Minimum 10 years experience in medical affairs or public health aspects of vaccine delivery
• Significant experience working with MOH NVIP, Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other international organizations promoting vaccination
• Experience with new vaccine introduction is a must
• Proficiency in English and regionally appropriate languages
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
• Must have legal authorization to work in Kenya.