The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the countries’ economies and social progress in all parts of the world. To respond to this unprecedented pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with other partners is supporting the global efforts to accelerate the development, fair and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX Facility and COVAX Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) established to support low income countries.

With these efforts, three vaccine candidates have completed the phase three of clinical evaluation and have been granted NRAs approvals for emergency use. The vaccines are being used in the USA and some countries of Europe.

Rwanda is among the countries supported by COVAX/AMC, expecting to receive the first shipments of vaccines by the first quarter of 2021. The country is preparing for the introduction and deployment of the COVID-19 vaccines by March 2021 and vaccinate 23.6% of the population by the end of 2021.

The introduction of COVID-19 vaccination varies greatly from routine immunization as both the target population (prioritized groups of all ages vs. children) and implementation strategies (large campaigns occurring simultaneously through Rwanda with prioritized groups vs on-going routine immunization) will be different. These unique attributes make the COVID-19 vaccine introduction challenging. In view of these challenges, the Government of Rwanda has indicated the need for additional staff to support coordination and planning for readiness for COVID-19 vaccine deployment.

• Purpose of the Position

  The incumbent will provide technical support for the coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine introduction readiness and deployment. This includes the technical support for strengthening the coordination of all stakeholders and coordinating committees, providing technical guidance for policy and regulations related to COVID-19 vaccines registration, use and safety, development and adaptation of technical guidelines, SOPs, monitoring and evaluation tools and support the capacity building for the introduction of COVID-19 at national and subnational level.
  

  • • Job Description

  
  Organizational context

  Under the overall guidance of WHO Representative for Rwanda, and the direct supervision of the WHO EPI focal point, in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Center/Maternal Child and Community Health (MCCH) division, the incumbent will provide support for coordination, planning and monitoring the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine introduction readiness activities.

  Summary Of Assigned Duties

  The incumbent will perform the following duties:
  

  • Provide technical support for the coordination of national stakeholders and COVID-19 vaccine introduction and deployment coordinating committees including SAG, NTWGs, NITAG, ICC and ensure recommendations are timely implemented
  • Provide technical advice for evidence-based policies for prioritization, compensation mechanisms and regulations related to the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines
  • Provide technical support for the development or adaptation of guidelines, SOPs monitoring and evaluation tools including data collection and management tools
  • Provide technical support for the adaptation of COVID-19 surveillance system including the development/adaptation of surveillance guidelines and data management tools, to generate evidence for vaccine effectiveness and impact evaluation
  • Support to develop protocols regarding consent to vaccinations, process for agreeing or refusing vaccination, and to establish measures to protect those who refuse vaccination.
  • Provide technical support for the adaptation of WHO training materials and support national level training of trainers
  • Support MOH to develop strategy for resources mobilization to support the implementation of National Deployment and Vaccination Plan (NDVP)
  • Collaborate with supply chain management and logistic teams to ensure vaccine and ancillaries, and PPEs supplies are available and timely distributed to the districts
  • Perform any other COVID-19 vaccination related activities as requested by the WR, and the immediate supervisor
  • • Recruitment Profile

  
  Competencies
  

  • • • Producing results*
      • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*
      • Teamwork*
      • Promoting innovation and organizational learning
      • Communication
      • Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

  
  Functional Knowledge And Skills
  

  • Technical expertise in public health and epidemiology, planning, national health programme management and coordination of national health program,
  • Ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels and to train others.
  • Experience within the health system in Rwanda at national and subnational level
  • Proven ability and experience to plan, execute, supervise and manage a large national health programme.
  • • Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts;
    • Proven ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.

  
  Education Qualifications
  

  • • Essential

  
  University degree in Medicine, Health sciences or related field with specialized training in immunization
  

  • • Desirable

  
  Advanced university degree in Public Health or Epidemiology

  Experience
  

  • • Essential

  
  At least five (5) years of working experience in public health program management including planning, monitoring and evaluation.
  

  • • Desirable

  
  Experience in planning, monitoring and evaluation of national immunization program, including the introduction of new vaccines and implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national wide immunization campaigns,

  Working experience at operational as well as policy levels of the health system.

  Previous experience with WHO, other UN agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or a non-governmental organization
  

  • • Use of Language Skills

  
  Excellent knowledge of English or French.

  Other Skills

  Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.