Local Government Area (LGA) Immunization Consultant

Position grade: FSN  6-7

Number of Consultants required: Twenty-two (22)

Locations: Adamawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara States

GENERAL INFORMATION:

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) is a public health management consulting and research organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities throughout the world. JSI requires the services of LGA Consultants to support technical assistance initiative aimed at strengthening the routine immunization (RI) system to increase and sustain Routine Immunization (RI) coverage, reduce the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children among underserved populations, interrupt the transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type-2 (cVDPV2) through the approved use of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) in outreach vaccination services and other opportunistic settings, and reduce childhood illness and death. The interventions are targeted at improving immunization coverage among children in hard-to-reach and border settlements, internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, transit locations, and other prioritized locations.

With funding from the Gates Foundation, JSI will provide technical assistance to support routine immunization strengthening and type-2 poliovirus protection in seven states, applying a co-creation approach to improve equitable coverage with a focus on identifying and reaching newborns, zero-dose, and under-immunized children in the high-priority geographies. 

SUMMARY:

The primary role of the LGA Immunization Consultant is to support quality planning and implementation of routine immunization and polio outbreak response activities in the LGAs of assignment. S/he will work closely with the LGA PHC team, RI service providers/health facility staff, relevant community structures, as well as other RI partners to strengthen LGA capacity to provide immunization services. The candidate MUST be willing to live and work in the assigned LGAs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The LGA Immunization Consultant will work under the guidance of the State Immunization Consultant to provide technical assistance to a cluster of 6-8 LGAs in their assigned states, in close collaboration with LGA authorities, health facilities, and other relevant community and security structures.

• Support the LGAs and ward personnel in developing detailed plans for routine immunization and delivery of nOPV2 through opportunistic platforms based on the technical and operational guidance provided by relevant authorities. 
• Contribute to capacity building for health personnel on routine immunization and nOPV2 administration, demand generation, supportive supervision, vaccine management, adverse events monitoring and documentation in project database and NHMIS data tools.
• Support LGAs in ensuring all planned fixed and outreach sessions for respective health facilities providing routine immunization services in the assigned LGAs are fully implemented and properly documented in the data capture tool and NHMIS registers. 
• Provide mentorship and supportive supervision to health facility service providers and outreach vaccination teams to ensure quality service delivery
• Support the identification, tracking, and referral of newborns and other under-immunized children to health facilities and outreach vaccination posts in their catchment areas. 
• Contribute to the development, monitoring, analysis, and reporting of program indicators, with an emphasis on ensuring and promoting data quality and timeliness of reporting.
• Support LGA in analyzing immunization data and providing regular feedback to service providers at the health facility and community levels.
• Prepare and submit detailed weekly and monthly activity reports to the State Immunization Consultant.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION: 

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, nursing, or a related field from a recognized institution with at least three years of work experience in immunization.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, work with local communities, adapt to diverse educational, cultural, and religious backgrounds, and maintain a good standard of personal conduct.
• Strong experience with routine immunization service delivery at LGA level and ability to work extensively with minimal supervision
• Experience in immunization from government or other international Partners (Gates Foundation, UN, USG, DFID, and other national and international NGOs) will be an advantage
• Good spoken and written English and ability to give clear instructions
• Understanding of the local language in the LGAs of assignment is a must.  
• Willingness and ability to travel within the LGAs of assignment under at times suboptimal conditions.  

JSI is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preference, genetic information, political affiliation, or protected veteran status in any employment decisions. Women are encouraged to apply.