Senior Program Officer – Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing Heath challenges.

PATH’s Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access (CVIA) brings together our expertise across every stage of the long and complex process of vaccine research, development, and delivery to make lifesaving vaccines widely available to children and communities across the world. CVIA’s current portfolio encompasses more than two dozen vaccines either in development or already in use to protect against 15 different diseases. Our focus is on vaccines to address the leading diseases that claim children’s lives worldwide: pneumonia, diarrheal disease, and malaria; as well as other global health priorities, such as polio and meningitis. We work in partnership with national health ministries, pharmaceutical manufacturers, donors, international financing and regulatory organizations, and many others.

This senior staff position in Burkina Faso will work within Policy, Access, and Introduction (PAI) functional area of CVIA and be managed by the West Africa Team Lead for Vaccine Implementation or their designee. In addition, this person will have a “dotted line” of reporting to the Senegal Country Director or designee to ensure effective integration into PATH’s regional presence in West Africa. In general, this person will focus on new vaccine introduction, system strengthening for routine immunization, development of vaccine introduction strategies, and post-introduction activities especially those that ensure equity and coverage in new vaccine introduction.

Responsibilities:

New vaccine introduction:

• Facilitate country decision making processes on new vaccine introduction and switch decisions through the gathering and dissemination of relevant data, evidence, learnings, and policies, and other information in collaboration with national coordinating mechanisms such as NITAGs and TWGs, and global stakeholders such as WHO. .
• Coordinate, plan, and provide key stakeholders with technical support, training, and guidance for new vaccine introduction, including HPV, COVID-19, Typhoid, and malaria.. Support MOH in evaluating introduction activities and progress.
• Assist as requested by MOH or other stakeholders for completing funding applications to Gavi and/or other donors.
• Develop curricula and provide training and education of health care workers, community-based organizations, and other partners to support vaccine service delivery.

Routine immunization system strengthening

• At national and subnational levels, contribute to strengthening national and county-level capacity for planning, developing, and implementing programs to increase vaccine coverage, and to assure equitable distribution of vaccines.
• Work with PATH colleagues, MOH, and other partners to integrate where possible routine immunization into primary health care services.
• Support the demonstration, evaluation, and scale-up of digital health tools and platforms.

Communications and stakeholder relations

• Represent and serve as a primary technical liaison with MOH NVIP staff, relevant global stakeholders (e.g., WHO, UNICEF, Gavi) and other professional, research and academic institutions in Kenya and other East Africa countries.
• Collect and disseminate scientific and public health information on vaccines, through presentations to congresses, scientific sessions, groups of medical professionals, and various advisory groups.

Required skills and experience:

• Doctoral-level training in medicine, epidemiology, or public health with 5 years experience or MPH or its equivalent with 10 years experience in medical affairs or public health aspects of vaccine delivery
• Significant experience working with MOH NVIP, Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other international organizations promoting vaccination
• Experience with new vaccine introduction is a must
• Proficiency in both French and English required
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed

Key Competencies:

• Strong technical skills and knowledge on vaccines and immunization, immunization delivery systems (e.g. planning, cold chain, supply/logistics).
• Experience in surveys, post introduction evaluations (PIE), Lot Quality Assessments, EVMA etc. to support routine immunization systems
• Strong interpersonal skills. Collaborative and able to build effective partnerships (internally and externally)
• Strong networks with the MOH with the ability to gather intelligence and effectively inform and support decision making at Ministry level
• Experience working with WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and other global partners.
• Management and supervision
• Vaccine program planning and evaluation
• Business development capabilities in the immunization space.
• Strong written communication and presentation skills.

Must Have legal authorization authorization to work in Burkina Faso.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment.

PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.