Project Director, Immunization

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the ICAP Country Director (CD), the Project Director (PD) will provide day-to-day management of the anticipated CDC project titled Strengthening Immunization Program Implementation in Sub-National Consequential Geographies, providing technical guidance and vision for the project, and ensuring that all activities undertaken meet the highest technical and ethical standards. The PD will oversee all interventions related to:

• Strengthening immunization program capacities in the Philippines, including identifying and vaccinating zero- and under-dose children and planning and implementing immunization campaigns
• Implementing comprehensive vaccine preventable disease (VPD) surveillance systems
• Improving preparedness and response to outbreaks of VPDs
• Strengthening global laboratory networks for polio and measles/rubella

RESPONSIBILITIES

Working in close collaboration with the CD, the PD will assume the following responsibilities

• Supervise and manage a Philippines-based project team, aligning their efforts with project goals.
• Work in close coordination with a US-based Principal Investigator on the design, implementation and ongoing monitoring of all project activities.
• Oversee all activities, outputs, and outcomes related to project management, including reporting, execution of project plans, and project performance monitoring and evaluation.
• Collaborate with the CD and senior finance and administration staff to review project budgets, develop forecasts, track expenses and ensure timely financial reporting to the donor.
• Provide high-level guidance and oversight of the technical work being conducted by the project team, ensuring the achievement of high-quality, timely, and on-budget project deliverables.
• Guide technical and organizational capacity building initiatives with local partners.
• Troubleshoot to prevent and resolve potential problems and review outputs for quality control.
• Represent the project before local governments, DOH, CDC, UNICEF, GAVI and other international and local partners, including interactions with senior representatives of these institutions.
• Serve as primary point of contact with CDC in the Philippines for this project and ensure good communication and close collaboration with CDC.
• Cultivate strategic relationships and alliances with other implementing partners and funders in the Philippines as needed to achieve project goals.
• Present progress, achievements, and lessons learned to key stakeholders, including DOH, CDC, local governments, and other implementing partners.
• Lead and support local, regional, and global dissemination of project findings, lessons learned, and best practices, as appropriate.

EDUCATION

• Advanced degree in medicine, public health, or related health, medical, or social science discipline; master’s degree at minimum, doctoral-level degree preferable.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 12 years of experience managing large-scale health programs, services, or projects with proven capacity in building and managing a team of technical and support staff.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing or supporting implementation of health programs or projects in the Philippines. Strong preference for experience with routine immunization, health system strengthening, and/or vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and elimination programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of USG, CDC, UNICEF, and GAVI frameworks and strategies for addressing childhood immunization at the global level.
• Demonstrated competence working in compliance with USG regulations and procedures.
• Proven experience in establishing working relationships and collaborating with USG, multilateral donor agencies, and partner country governments.
• Fluent English oral and written communication skills; ability to interact professionally in English.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: As needed.

The position is contingent upon availability of grant funding. Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, creed, national and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.