GAVI Alliance
Position title: Head, Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) Programme
Position type: Permanent
Location: Geneva
Purpose of the position: Oversee the design and implementation of the HPV vaccine programmes
Department: Country Programmes
Team: Vaccine Programmes
Reports to: Director, Vaccine Programmes
N° of positions supervised
(if applicable): 3
Career step level: 5
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership committed to saving children’s lives and protecting people’s health by increasing equitable use of vaccines in lower-income countries. The Vaccine Alliance brings together implementing country and donor governments, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. Gavi uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and adequate supply of quality vaccines. Since 2000, Gavi has contributed to the immunisation of more than 981 million children and the prevention of more than 16 million future deaths.
The Vaccine Programmes team provides oversight and technical expertise to design and manage each of Gavi’s 19 supported vaccine programmes. As vaccine and disease subject matter experts, the team supports the introduction of new vaccines through routine immunisation, preventive and outbreak response campaigns as well as the strengthening of country diagnostic capacity to improve immunisation programme effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. Vaccine Programmes is the Secretariat team responsible for coordinating with global vaccine preventable disease-specific initiatives and works with Secretariat teams and Alliance stakeholders to ensure better prioritisation and optimisation of available vaccine products, presentations or schedules most appropriate for specific country contexts.
In 2016, the Gavi Board approved an acceleration of the HPV vaccine programme, allowing countries in the first year of their programme to scale up directly and vaccinate single age (9 years) and multi-age cohorts of girls (10–14 years). The programme has so far been introduced in 26 countries, with many more countries in the pipeline. Coverage declines have been experienced due to underlying programme challenges and impact of C-19 however the recent SAGE 1 dose permissive off label recommendation offers a unique opportunity for renewed momentum along with the recently PPC/Board approved HPV programme relaunch.
THE ROLE
The Head, HPV Vaccine Programme will oversee the development, design and effective implementation of the recently approved HPV vaccine programme relaunch, and the integration with overall essential vaccination programme and optimal coordination with adolescent health initiative. The Head will bring extensive knowledge and expertise of the functioning of immunisation systems, vaccine delivery and adolescent health and the network of partners who support national immunisation programmes to proactively identify and address implementation issues through effective communication, facilitation and coordination with Secretariat teams and Alliance partners and countries. The Head will also supervise Senior Programme Manager, Programme Manager and consultant(s) who support the HPV vaccine programme through cross-Secretariat collaboration and coordination with Alliance partners to develop programme and application requirements and guidelines, vaccine forecasting and budgeting, and monitoring, evaluation and learning agenda priorities as well as working with other teams on development of communication and messages. The position will also work closely on cross-sectoral priorities including integration and sustainability, quality and coverage improvement and the zero-dose agenda.
KEY FUNCTIONS AND DELIVERABLES
• Working across teams and partners to contribute to meeting Gavi’s Strategic Goals, with focus on Strategic Goal 1 targets to accelerate the introduction, roll out and scale up of new vaccines to achieve Alliance coverage and equity targets;
• As one of the VP Heads, contribute to the overall strategic direction and leadership of the VP team;
• Successful design and implementation of Gavi’s HPV vaccines programme, including design and updating of programme requirements and application materials and effective delivery of the programme in the context of broader adolescent health;
• Lead the HPV vaccine programme team ensuring alignment with Gavi 5.1 and VP priorities and provide strategic leadership around HPV vaccine programme scale-up, implementation, integration, sustainability, quality and positioning relative to life course immunisation;
• Timely programmatic and technical advice provided to Secretariat, Alliance Stakeholders and priority countries on issues related to HPV vaccine application requirements, vaccine allocation, implementation and coordination with global adolescent health and cervical cancer initiatives;
• Provide timely and accurate reporting and analytics on country performance to implement Gavi’s HPV vaccine programme;
• Co-chair the Alliance’s HPV global Leadership Team.
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
• Under the direction of the Director of Vaccine Programmes, contribute to the overall strategic direction and leadership of the VP team, provide strategic leadership and management of the HPV vaccine programme team and efforts to accelerate and scale-up the introduction and integration of HPV vaccines under Strategic Goal 1 of Gavi’s 2021-2025 strategy and beyond;
• Ensure cross-Secretariat and partner coordination and alignment on market shaping, integration, Gavi processes and policies related to new vaccine applications, monitoring, reporting and learning agenda priorities;
• Lead strategic discussions for the HPV vaccine programme with internal and external stakeholders, including co-Chairing the Alliance’s HPV global Leadership Team, to ensure achievement of Gavi 5.1 strategic goals and objectives pertaining to routine immunisation strengthening, integration and life-course vaccination;
• Communicate programme progress, challenges and risks to Secretariat and Alliance partner leadership;
• Oversee and manage a team of senior programme manager, programme manager and consultants responsible for the day-to-day activities associated with the HPV vaccine programme design and implementation including application requirements and guidelines development, vaccine allocation, prioritisation and optimisation, operational demand and budget forecasting, coordination of technical assistance and support for vaccine implementation.
Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities; other duties may be assigned consistently with the department needs.
QUALIFICATIONS
ACADEMIC
• Advanced university degree in medicine, biological sciences, public health, epidemiology, international development or related fields.
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Minimum of 12 years of professional experience working in public health at national and international levels with vaccine preventable diseases or other disease control and prevention initiatives;
• Experience working in developing countries is required;
• Experience in bilateral and multilateral partnership environments is required;
• Demonstrable work experience of successful management of situations of considerable complexity and/or political sensitivity is ideal;
• Experience in infectious disease epidemiology is an asset, with experience in cancer prevention and control programmes, adolescent health or sexual reproductive health rights being highly desired;
• Experience of representational duties at international fora and conferences is a plus.
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
• Excellent management and coordination skills;
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills with economic and social data;
• Advanced command and proficient knowledge of MS Office and related applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.,) Knowledge of a statistical software package and their application to data analysis, management, tracking, forecasting and monitoring is desirable;
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills, good inter-personal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and with developing countries;
• Ability to work with effectively in a team setting and under pressure;
• Excellent organisation skills and high sense of responsibility, efficiency, reliable and result;
• Good knowledge of institutional or organisation policies, systems and procedures;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to manage and lead teams;
• Proven ability to quickly and flexibly adapt to complex environments and provide solutions to complex immunisation financing challenges at country level;
• Demonstrated poise, tact, and diplomacy in pressure situations and ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to work successfully in an international and multi-cultural environment;
• Advanced command and proficient knowledge of MS Office and related applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.,) Knowledge of a statistical software package and their application to data analysis, management, tracking, forecasting, and monitoring is desirable.
LANGUAGES
• Written and spoken English is required;
• Fluency in French is highly desirable;
• Knowledge of languages of Gavi eligible countries is desirable (e.g., Russian, Portuguese).
CONTACTS
• Gavi Secretariat;
• Gavi Alliance partners;
• UN, Multilateral & bilateral donor agencies and civil society;
• Developing country governments;
• Global HPV and cervical cancer prevention community;
• Vaccine Manufacturers.
If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on “Head, Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) Programme”. Deadline for applications is 6th January 2023.
Please note that as a vaccine organisation and in order to provide duty of care towards its employees, Gavi is requiring its new employees to confirm that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition for pursuing employment with us. You can find out more by visiting this link.
Become part of our community and join us on Facebook and Twitter for updates about our mission to save children’s lives! You can also follow our hashtag #vaccineswork.
In support of Gavi’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, we hire globally and welcome applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, family status, sex, gender identity or expression, physical characteristics, race, religion, spirituality or sexual orientation. Gavi has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse as well as any form of discrimination or harassment. Everyone at Gavi is expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect towards each other. Gavi is committed to creating a work environment that is safe and professional, therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference checks. Read more here
Gavi brings together the public and private sectors to save lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines against 18 infectious diseases. You will be joining an organisation at the centre of the international COVID-19 response, at the most critical time in global health in a lifetime. You will work in a culturally diverse environment with over 70 nationalities. You will collaborate with partners such as WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank – and from business, civil society and government.
And you will work in the first global health organisation to receive equal gender salary certification. Your unique experience, skills and talents can help us achieve our vision of leaving no one behind without the life-saving power of vaccines.