Senior Program Officer - Polio Country Support (Eastern Mediterranean Region)

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ,
London, Greater London
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Role Summary & Responsibilities As a key member of the Polio EMR team, the Senior Program Officer (SPO) - Country Support will be responsible for intensifying the engagement of the foundation with key partners (WHO, UNICEF, CDC, Rotary International and GAVI) and national immunization programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan to interrupt wild poliovirus transmission. The emphasis will be on improving the impact of the broad range of foundation assets in these country settings to enhance the quality of supplementary immunization activities, to strengthen acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance and routine immunization, and to build a supportive environment for the application of new tools and strategies to improve the chances of polio eradication. Key responsibilities include: * Collaborate with foundation teams, international development partners and grantees, and national governments in select countries to ensure the successful implementation of global strategies to eradicate polio. * Identify, develop & support the implementation of activities in Pakistan and Afghanistan to rapidly improve the quality of supplementary immunization activities and AFP surveillance, including: -Consistent and high levels of quality technical assistance. -Rapid and regular reviews of surveillance data. -Improved independent monitoring and reporting. -Sustained country engagement and dedication to polio eradication. -Improved community demand and participation in immunization. * Support foundation efforts in those countries to identify and address immunity gaps that sustain circulation of wild polioviruses in sub-populations (i.e., migrant groups, nomadic population, and hard-to-reach children). * Collaborate with national governments and partners on strategies to improve immunization services to children affected by security and conflict situations. * Participate in high-level technical reviews of program operations, surveillance reviews and reviews of communication and community engagement efforts to improve family and community participation in immunization activities. * Provide input to national immunization programs and partners on appropriate levels of financial resource requirements for polio eradication. Core Knowledge & Skills The SPO will bring depth & breadth of experience and knowledge of developing-country immunization programs, with a demonstrated track record of influencing and accelerating the health impact of vaccine-preventable disease interventions in priority countries. We are looking for individuals with: * Demonstrated proficiency in influencing the effective implementation of immunization programs leading to demonstrable health outcomes, preferably in a developing country * Proven skills in engaging and interacting with national immunization programs in developing countries, including an understanding of program planning and operations, program reviews and program financial resource requirements. * Proven track record of forging strong partnerships and relationships with developing country policy makers and development partners * A knack for building momentum and driving action in matrixed environments, helping others to move beyond 'business as usual' and generate / implement innovative solutions * Ability to identify new and opportunistic partnerships to achieve program goals * Demonstrated understanding of key cultural and social issues impacting effective administration of public health programs in a developing country context. * Experience working with global partners such as GPEI, GAVI, WHO, UNICEF and/or experience in developing country settings with knowledge of government health systems and political structures. * Experience developing and managing projects in a matrix team environment. * A high-level of personal initiative and ability to be proactive, combined with great partnership skills * Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate with a wide range of partners and audiences, including with the foundation senior management Typical Education & Experience * MPH or other post-secondary degree with relevance to public health and administration, international development, business administration or equivalent combination of education and experience * 15+ years of experience in public health program management implementation * Experience with immunization and/or polio eradication in a developing country setting useful, but not required * Experience working in the Eastern Mediterranean region preferred * Ability to travel up to 40%, largely internationally / within the Eastern Mediterranean Region As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We're committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and pr

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