Consultant - Coordinating New Vaccine Introduction And Expansion Activities, Philippines

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in the Philippines supports the national immunization program. The Philippines is actively introducing and expanding priority vaccines, requiring enhanced technical support for planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of these new vaccine introduction (NVI) activities. This role provides senior technical oversight to ensure high-quality implementation and integration within the broader immunization agenda.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to provide senior technical oversight, quality assurance, and strategic coordination for the Department of Health (DOH) and WHO in the Philippines. The role is crucial for supporting the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of new vaccine introduction (NVI) and expansion activities. This includes guiding the development of essential documents like implementation plans, training materials, and monitoring frameworks, ensuring alignment with national priorities and WHO guidance. The consultant will also advise on readiness assessments, monitor implementation progress, and identify/address any strategic or operational bottlenecks to ensure the successful integration and high-quality delivery of new vaccines within the national immunization program.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic technical guidance for new vaccine introduction and expansion activities, including HPV vaccination and future priorities like rotavirus and Japanese encephalitis vaccines. Guide the development, updating, and implementation of national plans and operational guidelines, ensuring technical coherence and alignment with national priorities and WHO guidance. Lead the technical review and quality assurance of training materials, operational guidance, monitoring tools, and communication strategies. Offer strategic guidance on key workstreams such as AEFI preparedness and training, and evidence review for vaccine introduction. Advise on readiness assessments, implementation monitoring, supportive supervision, and field monitoring, including reviewing findings and recommending actions. Guide the planning and implementation of post-introduction evaluations (PIE) and document lessons learned. Identify and recommend corrective actions for strategic, operational, and coordination bottlenecks. Support high-level coordination with the DOH, regional offices, partners, and advisory groups. Review and provide technical input on program documentation, reports, and presentations.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in immunization programs, vaccine-preventable diseases, public health, or health systems strengthening at national and international levels. Demonstrated experience in providing technical oversight, strategic coordination, or quality assurance for immunization programs, new vaccine introduction, or vaccine expansion activities is essential. Experience working with government counterparts, development partners, and international organizations is required. Experience in leading or reviewing technical guidance, training materials, implementation plans, and monitoring tools is also necessary.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge of immunization systems and vaccine-preventable disease programs. Excellent strategic coordination, stakeholder engagement, and consensus-building skills. Ability to provide technical oversight and quality assurance. Strong analytical, drafting, review, and reporting skills. Capacity for independent work, sound technical judgment, and managing competing priorities. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

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