Program Officer, New Vaccines Introduction and Learning at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people- especially those with the fewest resources - have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Officer, New Vaccines Introduction and Learning

Job Requisition ID: B020319
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job type: Full time

The Team

• Vaccines are a core priority of the Gates Foundation and can save millions of lives a year when delivered effectively and our country operations are critical to achieving this global vision.
• The mission of the Foundation and Country Immunization Program Strategy team is to urgently reach children, adolescents, and adults -- no matter where they live -- with the vaccines they need.
• Our goal is a world free of vaccine-preventable diseases, and we do this by working with countries, development partners, and civil society organizations to achieve national and global immunization targets including ambitious zero dose reduction targets of 50% reduction in zero dose by 2030 and achieve zero polio and cVDPV2 and new vaccine introductions – especially HPV.
• Our goal is a world free of vaccine-preventable diseases, and we do this by working with countries, development partners, and civil society organizations, to make sure that vaccines and immunization are effectively prioritized and delivered.
• Robust and resilient immunization programs are critical to achieving the promise of vaccination and are a cornerstone of primary health care, and we work to ensure that there are sufficient, affordable supplies to meet demand.
• We seek to bring new perspectives to challenging problems as we focus on results that can be delivered at scale. All our work on vaccines and immunization contributes to IA2030, which is a vision and commitment by the global community to extend the full benefits of immunization to all by 2030.

Your Role

• Accelerated introduction and sustainable routine coverage of HPV vaccines and other new or underutilized vaccines can save millions of lives in Nigeria between now and 2030.
• As a Program Officer (PO) on the Immunization Program Nigeria team, you will closely work with the Deputy Director Health and Nutrition and the Senior Program Officer (SPO) leading Country Immunization Program to advance the objectives of the Foundation’s and Country HPV and other Vaccines strategy.
• They will lead the work on New Vaccines Introduction – especially HPV Introduction, coverage, and equity.
• The PO will design and manage a portfolio of operational research grants related to HPV vaccine delivery to advance learning in Nigeria.
• In partnership with the SPO leading Country Immunization Program, they will also engage with other implementing partners and states to manage and coordinate support on HPV and broader vaccines delivery in Nigeria and at states level.
• To be effective, they will work with agility, efficiency, and diplomacy in a dynamic environment.
• This position reports to the Deputy Director, Health and Nutrition Nigeria Country office and will be based  in Abuja, Nigeria. This will be a limited term employment (LTE) of 24 months.

What You’ll Do

• The PO will be responsible for investments to accelerate new vaccines introductions with an initial focus on introduction, coverage, and learning on HPV delivery innovations and will engage with partner organizations to strengthen the implementation of HPV programs in Nigeria.
• They will collaborate closely with the SPO leading the Country Immunization Program and with other colleagues and teams working on Vaccines delivery
• Their task will be to develop and work on a portfolio of grants to achieve accelerated introduction, achieving coverage and rapid learning, focused on HPV and other vaccines delivery innovations in Nigeria to achieve equitable, high, sustainable coverage of HPV and other vaccines in Nigeria. This may include:
  • Conducting research and analysis on the existing state of knowledge in the field, supporting strategy development, and designing research investments.
  • Continuously refining and iterating learning/research questions and working with FMOH/NPHCDA, partner organizations, and states to ensure execution of a learning agenda.
• Engaging in and leading multi-stakeholder partnerships in support of advancing on HPV and other vaccines delivery in Nigeria.
• Leading the Foundation's efforts to accelerate the translation of research findings into guidance, policies, and program design.
• Work on immunization supply chain and work with national and state logistics working group and engage with internal foundation teams, government and implementing partners to track the performance of the country immunization supply chain and design and implement interventions to address vaccines stock out.
• In partnership with the SPO leading Country Immunization Programs, they will collaborate with the Gavi Alliance, Implementing Partners, Foundation colleagues, grantees and national and states governments in support of country program implementation. This may include:
  • Leading and supporting country and state level engagement on all new vaccines introductions but with initial focus on HPV vaccines delivery with focus on accelerated introduction, uptake of WHO's single-dose recommendation, and work to achieve high, sustainable coverage of HPV and other vaccination.
• Working with other Foundation teams, including Program Advocacy and Communications, to ensure support is strategically aligned and seamless across teams and topic areas.
• Consult with grantees to achieve desired impact of grants; conduct site visits when appropriate, provide technical guidance, convene meetings and apply and evaluate milestone-based performance objectives.
• Prepare and write briefs and synthesize existing literature. Provide written analysis of key topics for foundation management. Fulfill data requests from leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or other Advanced Degree required with demonstrated experience of minimum 5 years is desirable.
• Strong expertise in global health at global and country level with a preference for expertise in immunization/vaccine preventable diseases. Technical expertise in New Vaccines Introduction - HPV and national level experience will be an asset.
• Experience with designing and managing new vaccines introductions, immunization coverage and equity and rapid learning research projects.
• Leadership abilities: proven ability to work across multiple partners (e.g., government, donors, grantees, and other partners) to build and sustain collaborative relationships. Ability to influence and move large institutions and bureaucracies over time.
• Effectively develop strategic approaches to define priorities. Create a clear vision and develop simple and effective but implementable solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to manage complex projects and programs, including multi-country research grants.
• Ability to communicate, both verbally and written, with a broad and diverse audience; able to effectively synthesize information to build consensus.
• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people.
• Comfortable with making decisions in the absence of perfect data and adapting approach when new information is known to achieve maximum impact.
• This position involves travel of up to 30%.

Application Closing Date
28th May, 2024

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Information and Notice

• Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
• Hiring Requirements: As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
• Candidate Accommodations: If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request