National Immunization Technical advisor

A.      Background

CHOICES (Choice Optimization for Immunization: Country Exercises in Sustainability) project aims to engage countries currently or formerly eligible for Gavi support who may be interested in conducting optimization and prioritization exercises. CHOICES provides evidence-based decision-making support to countries in navigating the expanding vaccine options and optimizing products, schedules, and vial sizes for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV), rotavirus vaccines, HPV vaccines, measles-containing vaccines (MCV, MR, MMR), and others.

 Currently in Ethiopia, the MoH/EPI team has finalized the preparation for a compulsory Rota vaccine product switch.  Through this CHOICES project, JSI has been supporting MoH-Ethiopia in preparation for switching of Rota vaccine.

 With possible additional funding from BMGF for the period beyond CHOICES implementation period, JSI is planning to continue provision of technical assistance to the MoH-Ethiopia to facilitate the compulsory switch of RVV as part of the routine immunization. JSI is accepting applications from immunization technical experts with either introduction or switch experience to facilitate the RVV switch in Ethiopia. The staffing of successful applicants are subject to donor approval.

 The person will be supervised by the JSI Activity Manager.  If travel is required for work plan activities, JSI will cover travel and accommodation costs.

 B.      Objectives

 The National Immunization Technical advisor (NITA) will provide in-country expertise in coordination with in-country and remote support from the CHOICES and other JSI projects team in support of Ethiopia's compulsory Rotavirus vaccine switch and RI strengthening activities. The ITC will work with country experts (MOH/EPIs and multi-agency partners) to support switch application, planning, implementation and monitoring immunization system strengthening as part of routine delivery systems as well as within the broader context of disease prevention and control. In all activities, he/she will also be called upon to work with technical staff from other international partner organizations in the country to collaborate on key policies and program strategies.

C.      Activities (can be modified as country context can change)

He/she will work in coordination with the JSI team in-country and home office, and provide technical assistance to the MOH/EPI in their preparation, implementation and monitoring of a compulsory Rotavirus switch. Technical assistance may include but is not limited to:

•  Provide support to EPI to present the Rotavirus vaccine switch information; Rotasil vaccine switch progress update to different national working groups.
• Monitor the preparation and implementation of the RVV switch by using the Readiness Assessment Tool (RAT) at national level
• Support the revision of immunization planning and monitoring tools, including capturing data on rota3 as part of the national HMIS
• Co-facilitate training at regional and zonal levels and monitor the overall performance of cascade training up to vaccinators.
• Review/update policies, guidelines and tools to incorporate rota3 as part of the RI schedule
• Participate in supportive supervision and review meetings of both RVV switch-focused and integrated
• Conduct regular data analysis, data triangulation, assess the trend towards full integration of the rota3 into RI by all woredas and health facilities in the country
• Provide TA to ensure uninterrupted availability of RVV stock through microplanning, strengthening coordination and logistics data analysis
• Insure AEFI monitoring for rotariix is in place
• Provide technical assistance to  MoH and RHBs on different RI initiatives : accelerated catch-up vaccination, monitoring performance of routine immunization and improving quality of data
• Actively participate in planning and execution of PIE (post-introduction evaluation)
• Documentation of lesson learned on switching of vaccine
• Routinely meet with CHOICES and other JSI backstopping and technical team (including participation at bi-weekly team meetings) to provide optimal technical support for facilitating the Rotavirus vaccine switch
• Provide other support as identified for vaccine product switches based on need of the project and MoH
• Other RI related tasks assigned by supervisors
• Contribution to project/donor reports as requested.