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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Immunization Officer

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

Public HealthHealthcareProgram ManagementNon-Profit

🎯 Role Definition

The Immunization Officer is a key public health specialist responsible for the comprehensive planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of routine and supplementary immunization programs. This individual provides critical technical leadership and operational support to strengthen immunization services at national, sub-national, and community levels. The role involves managing vaccine logistics, ensuring data quality for decision-making, building the capacity of healthcare workers, and engaging with communities and partners to increase vaccine uptake and combat vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with hands-on field experience, dedicated to achieving high and equitable immunization coverage.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Public Health Nurse
  • Field Epidemiologist
  • Health Program Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Senior Immunization Advisor
  • National EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) Manager
  • Public Health Program Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist
  • Health Systems Strengthening Advisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, implement, and rigorously monitor national and sub-national immunization strategies, including the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs).
  • Provide direct technical assistance, supportive supervision, and on-the-job training to district health teams and health facility staff to enhance the quality and reach of immunization services.
  • Oversee the entire vaccine cold chain system, ensuring the proper storage, handling, distribution, and temperature monitoring of vaccines and diluents from central stores to service delivery points.
  • Lead the development and execution of detailed micro-plans for vaccination activities, ensuring they are evidence-based and target hard-to-reach and high-risk populations.
  • Manage and analyze immunization program data, including coverage rates, dropout rates, and stock levels, using systems like DHIS2 to inform programmatic decisions and strategies.
  • Strengthen the surveillance system for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) and establish robust protocols for the detection, investigation, and reporting of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI).
  • Plan and coordinate community engagement and social mobilization initiatives to increase vaccine demand, address vaccine hesitancy, and ensure community ownership of immunization programs.
  • Develop and deliver comprehensive training modules for healthcare workers on all aspects of immunization, including new vaccine introductions, injection safety, and waste management.
  • Prepare high-quality, timely narrative and data reports for government counterparts, donors (like Gavi, CDC), and internal stakeholders, detailing program progress, challenges, and outcomes.
  • Collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners (WHO, UNICEF, NGOs) to ensure a coordinated, harmonized approach to immunization program implementation.
  • Conduct regular program evaluations and data quality assessments (DQAs) to identify gaps in service delivery and develop corrective action plans.
  • Lead the planning and execution of new vaccine introductions into the routine immunization schedule, from policy development to post-introduction evaluation.
  • Manage program budgets, track expenditures, and ensure financial accountability and efficient use of resources for all immunization-related activities.
  • Advocate with government officials, policymakers, and community leaders for sustained political and financial commitment to immunization programs.
  • Ensure the integration of immunization services with other primary healthcare interventions, such as maternal and child health, nutrition, and family planning services.
  • Lead rapid response teams during VPD outbreaks, coordinating investigation, case management, and reactive vaccination campaigns to control the spread of disease.
  • Supervise and mentor a team of field-level staff, vaccinators, and volunteers, fostering a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure all immunization activities adhere to national guidelines, WHO recommendations, and global best practices for vaccine safety and efficacy.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive inventory and forecasting system for vaccines, syringes, and other essential supplies to prevent stock-outs and wastage.
  • Facilitate regular coordination meetings with all immunization stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels to review performance and plan joint activities.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and conduct exploratory data analysis to generate deeper insights into immunization trends and challenges.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader public health strategy and participate in cross-cutting thematic working groups.
  • Collaborate with communications departments to create and vet evidence-based health promotion materials for public dissemination.
  • Participate in grant writing, proposal development, and resource mobilization efforts to secure funding for new and existing immunization projects.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep expertise in Public Health Program Management, specifically within the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
  • Strong proficiency in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) frameworks, including the development of indicators, data collection tools, and performance dashboards.
  • In-depth knowledge of cold chain logistics, vaccine stock management, and effective vaccine management (EVM) principles.
  • Advanced data analysis skills using statistical software such as Stata, SPSS, R, or advanced functions in Microsoft Excel.
  • Proven experience using health information management systems like DHIS2 for data entry, analysis, and visualization.
  • Technical competency in the surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) and investigation of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI).
  • Ability to develop and implement detailed, context-specific micro-plans for routine and campaign-based vaccination activities.
  • Solid experience in budget management, financial forecasting, and grant reporting for public health projects.
  • Proficiency in developing and delivering engaging training curricula and materials for adult learners, particularly healthcare workers.
  • Strong understanding of epidemiological and biostatistical principles and their application to immunization program design and evaluation.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional leadership and team management capabilities, with a track record of successfully supervising field-based teams.
  • Advanced communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills for effective stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and reporting.
  • Superior problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities to navigate complex operational and programmatic challenges.
  • High degree of cultural sensitivity and adaptability, with the ability to work effectively in diverse and resource-constrained environments.
  • Excellent training, coaching, and mentorship skills to build the capacity of local health staff and partners.
  • Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision and perform well under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
  • Strong negotiation and diplomacy skills for coordinating with government bodies, UN agencies, and other partner organizations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Nursing, Medicine, or a related clinical or social sciences field.

Preferred Education:

A Master's Degree in Public Health (MPH), Epidemiology, International Health, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Nursing
  • International Development
  • Medicine

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 3-7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health program management, with a significant portion dedicated to immunization programs.

Preferred:

Demonstrated field-level experience implementing vaccination campaigns or strengthening routine immunization in low- and middle-income countries. Direct experience working in collaboration with Ministries of Health, UN agencies (WHO, UNICEF), or major international health NGOs is highly desirable.

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