Senior Program Officer, Polio Technical Assistance

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 health challenges. Learn more at www.path.org.

While the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was certified wild poliovirus-free in 2011, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) cases have been reported continuously since 2017. Ongoing threats to preventing the reemergence of polio include weak health and other infrastructure, inconsistent technical and operational support from implementing UN agencies, challenges to reaching hard-to-reach communities, conflict, domestic financing gaps, and vaccine hesitancy exacerbated by COVID-19 vaccine introduction.

In this context, reinvigorating attention to polio is urgently needed to help end the circulation of VDPVs; restore the DRC’s polio-free status; strengthen linkages between the polio and RI programs; support U.S. Government (USG) global polio eradication and transition commitments; build on polio lessons to introduce COVID-19 vaccines; and advance USAID’s goals to prevent child and maternal deaths and combat infectious diseases.

Through USAID’s MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Consortium, the PATH DRC office was awarded funds to engage in ongoing polio, surveillance, and immunization-related activities and platforms. For this work, the PATH DRC office will hire a Senior Program Officer to provide polio technical assistance.

PATH DRC places special focus on building the next generation of great female leaders in the DRC’s health sector and so women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Attending and supporting USAID representation in routine and ad hoc polio coordination, technical advisory, advocacy, and other meetings with national stakeholders and other donors and implementing partners.;

• Providing updates and evidence-based technical and strategic advice to the Mission on polio eradication and transition efforts, including to flag opportunities, challenges, or other issues requiring USAID Mission and/or Washington leadership attention;

• Supporting the Mission’s Health leadership to respond to ad hoc information requests and support development of polio-related tasks and strategic communications assets, particularly for advocacy purposes.

• Supporting national-level capacity-building support for polio eradication and transition interventions to MOH and other partners as needed

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelors or ideally advanced degree in Public Health, Medicine, Statistics, Demography, Social Sciences or Equivalent

• At least 5 years of experience in polio-related programming activities in DRC.

• Proven experience in convening and linking multiple stakeholders to advance polio-related policy, programming, and decision-making

• Proven expertise in providing technical assistance and capacity-building for polio eradication with government and implementing partners.

• Excellent writing and communication skills.

• Autonomy, sense of initiative and anticipation, good ability to solve problems.

• Computer skills (World software, Excel, PowerPoint, and other specific software, including internet browsing and various Office applications).

• Ability to work under pressure.

• Have a global knowledge of donor rules and particularly the knowledge and operation of USAID.

• Having a perfect knowledge of French, English is an asset.

• Be able to travel within MRITE’s provinces of intervention up to 50%

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, 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.

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