Cluster Coordinator- Malaria Vaccine Introduction

Since 2007, PATH has been working to improve health systems and services to create healthier futures for Ethiopians. PATH in Ethiopia is currently implementing various high impact, evidence based, sustainable programs with the aim of saving and improving the lives of the most vulnerable and underserved women and children in the country in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Federal Ministry of Health, Regional Health Bureau, community groups, and other partners.  

Malaria in Ethiopia is unstable, mostly appearing seasonally in highland fringe areas and persisting longer in lowlands, river basins, and valleys. Around 69% of the population lives in malaria-endemic regions, primarily at elevations below 2,000 meters. Given the progress and global efforts against malaria, Ethiopia aims to eradicate the disease by 2030. An important step towards malaria eradication involves offering vaccination services to eligible individuals, and Ethiopia has planned to introduce a malaria vaccine by 2025. 

To introduce and scale up the malaria vaccine in Ethiopia, PATH will offer technical support through embedded Technical Assistants at both national and cluster levels. The purpose of the Cluster Coordinator  is to provide technical assistance to the subnational EPI team and malaria control program team for implementing and expanding the malaria vaccine in selected Woredas. 

Specific task 

• Support Woredas under the cluster to conduct micro-planning, including digital micro-planning, as required. 

• Support the subnational team to update phased introduction strategies based on vaccine supply allocated to the country following the Gavi vaccine funding application. 

• In collaboration with the National Project Coordinator, conduct and disseminate research (knowledge, attitudes and practices studies, demand assessments etc.) to inform vaccine introduction planning.  

• Support development of  malaria vaccine program training materials and conduct trainings (or support a training plan / program) aimed at all levels of the health system. 

• Provide support for development and implementation of plans for comprehensive vaccine management, with strategies to reduce wastage and stock-outs. 

• Support region/s to develop and/or maintain mechanisms for Regional Malaria Control Programs (NMCP) and EPI coordination at national and sub-national levels, including routinely reviewing roles and responsibilities of these mechanisms (and their membership) to align with the evolving needs of the malaria vaccine program.  

• Develop and strengthen vaccine platforms to reach children at new contact points in the routine immunization schedule. 

• Provide support for development and implementation of risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) plans to promote vaccine confidence​,​ including development of relevant Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. 

• Maintain or adapt monitoring procedures and tools to suit the malaria vaccine program needs.  

• Support the region/s to ​plan and ​conduct supportive supervision with the aim of continuous improvement of the program. 

• Document and disseminate lessons learnt from the program to inform scale-up to other sub-national areas of the country. 

Required Experience 

• Master’s or advanced degree in public health, Epidemiology, health service management or related fields. 

• Minimum ten (5) years’ experience in public health program, with demonstrated experience in the area of immunization and maternal/child health programs, new vaccine introduction and malaria control and elimination programs. 

• Experience in project planning and management  

• Formal training in and demonstrated understanding of new vaccine introduction and malaria control program. 

• Hands-on experience in designing, planning, implementing and evaluating programs, interventions and/or strategy and policy is highly desirable. 

• Practical experience in leading and managing program or intervention at national level  

• Proven ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with government, partners, donors and international organizations at various levels. 

• Skilled in successfully working with geographically dispersed teams and working in a multi-cultural environment. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including cross-cultural teams. 

• Experience in preparing presentation for higher level and strategic meetings  

• Strong command of English and Amharic language required 

• Ability to travel to Woredas, estimated to be about 60%. 

The Cluster Coordinator will be based at Regional/Zonal EPI unit and accountable for both Regional/Zonal RMNCH head and immediate supervisor at PATH.