Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vaccine Program Officer

🎯 Role Definition

As a Vaccine Program Officer, you will be at the forefront of our public health initiatives, providing essential technical and programmatic support to national and sub-national immunization programs. You will work closely with Ministries of Health, Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and other key partners to enhance vaccine delivery strategies, improve data quality, and drive progress towards global immunization targets. This position requires a unique blend of technical public health knowledge, project management expertise, and strong diplomatic skills to navigate complex health landscapes and foster effective collaboration. You will be instrumental in translating global strategies into local impact, ensuring our resources are deployed effectively to protect communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Program Coordinator
Public Health Analyst
M&E Assistant
Field Officer (Health/Immunization)

Advancement To:

Senior Vaccine Program Officer
Immunization Program Manager
Technical Advisor (Immunization)
Country Representative

Lateral Moves:

M&E Officer
Health Systems Strengthening Specialist
Supply Chain Advisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide direct technical assistance to Ministries of Health and regional partners for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of routine immunization and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs).
Lead the development and review of comprehensive multi-year plans (cMYPs) and annual national immunization work plans in collaboration with government counterparts.
Facilitate the introduction of new and underutilized vaccines (NVIs) by supporting readiness assessments, developing operational guidelines, and coordinating post-introduction evaluations.
Strengthen immunization supply chain and logistics systems by providing expertise on forecasting, stock management, cold chain optimization, and vaccine management policies.
Oversee the monitoring and evaluation framework for vaccine programs, including the tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to coverage, equity, and system performance.
Manage grants and sub-awards to local partners, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, timely reporting, and achievement of programmatic milestones.
Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess program quality, identify implementation bottlenecks, and provide on-the-ground supportive supervision and problem-solving.
Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key in-country stakeholders, including government officials, multilateral organizations (WHO, UNICEF), bilateral donors, and civil society organizations.
Analyze and interpret immunization data from various sources (e.g., DHIS2, administrative reports, surveys) to inform strategic decision-making and program adjustments.
Prepare high-quality, data-driven programmatic reports, technical briefs, and presentations for internal leadership, donors, and external partners.
Contribute to the development of funding proposals and concept notes for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other major donors to secure resources for national immunization programs.
Coordinate the planning and execution of capacity-building activities, such as workshops and trainings for healthcare workers on strategies like Reaching Every District/Community (RED/REC).
Support the integration of immunization services with other primary healthcare platforms to improve efficiency and increase service uptake.
Document and disseminate best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from immunization programs to contribute to the global knowledge base.
Represent the organization in relevant technical working groups (TWGs), national immunization coordination committees, and other international forums.
Stay abreast of the latest global immunization policies, scientific evidence, and technical guidelines from WHO, Gavi, and other leading bodies to ensure program alignment and innovation.

Secondary Functions

Provide technical input and support for the development of communication and social mobilization strategies to increase vaccine demand and address hesitancy.
Assist in the preparation and review of national applications to Gavi for vaccine support, co-financing, and health system strengthening grants.
Support emergency response and outbreak control efforts related to vaccine-preventable diseases by assisting with campaign planning and coordination.
Contribute to operational research initiatives aimed at identifying and testing innovative solutions to overcome barriers to vaccination.
Facilitate the use of digital health tools and technologies for improving immunization data management, service delivery tracking, and supply chain visibility.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep understanding of public health principles and immunization programs, including routine immunization, SIAs, and new vaccine introductions.
Proficiency in project management methodologies, including grant management, work planning, and budget oversight.
Experience with monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks, data analysis, and using health information systems like DHIS2.
Knowledge of vaccine supply chain management, cold chain logistics, and forecasting.
Familiarity with the global health architecture and the roles of key partners like Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF.
Data analysis and visualization skills using tools such as Excel, Stata, R, or Tableau.

Soft Skills

Exceptional cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills for effective stakeholder engagement and relationship building.
Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities to address complex programmatic challenges.
Excellent writing and presentation skills for creating clear, compelling reports and technical documents.
Proven ability to work independently and as part of a multicultural team in a fast-paced environment.
Diplomacy, tact, and negotiation skills for navigating sensitive political and programmatic landscapes.
Adaptability and resilience when working in resource-constrained settings and responding to changing priorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in Public Health (MPH), International Development, Public Administration (MPA), or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Public Health
Epidemiology
International Relations
Health Systems Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of professional experience in public health program management, with a specific focus on immunization.

Preferred: Direct experience working in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) and demonstrable experience with Gavi-funded programs or processes.