COVID-19 Vaccination Coordinator

Location

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, 6 to 12 months.

Role Overview

Lead, monitor and evaluate Medair’s COVID-19 vaccination activities in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), effectively managing and reporting on the project in line with the objectives.  Effectively coordinate with the various stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Health (MoH) who is leading the vaccination activities. Oversee all components of the response to ensure integration in the areas of community engagement; implementation of the activities and monitoring and reporting of any adverse event following immunization (AEFI).

Project Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic was declared by WHO on March 11, 2020[1] and the first people with confirmed with COVID-19 occurring in DRC on March 10^th, 2020[2]. Medair has been supporting Primary Health Care in Eastern DRC for many years with multi-sectoral projects targeting displaced communities affected by insecurity and outbreaks. Existing projects are focused on health, nutrition, WASH and infrastructure rehabilitation, with a strong emphasis on rapid response to emergency situations in complex and unstable environments and/or remote locations. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Medair responded with community engagement; health facility infection, prevention, & control with safe triage and isolation for people presumed to have COVID-19. As COVID-19 vaccines have become available in DRC through COVAX, Medair is now looking to support the MoH in the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine activities.

[1] WHO (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/interactive-timeline#!)

[2] WHO (https://www.afro.who.int/news/first-case-covid-19-confirmed-democratic-republic-congo )

Our Culture

Key Activity Areas

COVID-19 vaccination coordination

• Prior to vaccination activities beginning: with the Medical Advisor & Project Managers develop the activity timeline, participate in recruitment of the vaccination teams including writing job descriptions, ensure all vaccination teams are trained according to the MoH and Medair guidelines, select and organize the vaccination sites in line with MoH strategy and ensure appropriate supplies for implementing the vaccination activities are ordered/in stock.
• In line with national MoH guidelines, develop risk communication and community engagement strategies and tools, including conducting qualitative research to analyze barriers to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Coordinate and determine daily strategic operations, in collaboration with Project Managers, of the COVDI-19 vaccination teams including community engagement teams and vaccination teams. Coordination should be carried out with various team mangers (PHC and ER) as well as base managers and the country advisors.
• Contribute to clear objectives and indicators for vaccination activities in collaboration with all teams.
• Continuously support the monitoring and supervision of the vaccination activities to ensure quality as well as staff safety, evaluating progress through outputs and impact using both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Oversee the monitoring and data collection of COVID-19 vaccination activities ensuring adherence to donor standards and M&E plans. Write the final report and campaign evaluation with the PMs, DCD, medical advisors.

Staff Management

• Coordinate the day to day planning and implementation of the vaccination activities in collaboration with PMs.
• Work closely with the logistics team to ensure all vaccination supplies required for the vaccination activities are available and in the appropriate location. Provide coaching and technical supervision to staff.

Financial Management

• Support the drafting of budgets and ensuring overall cohesion of COVID-19 vaccine activities across field locations.
• Responsible for managing the COVID-19 vaccination budget, including monthly budget versus actual.
• Provide technical input and review to ensure budgets are appropriate to address the COVID-19 response.

Communication & Coordination

• Develop and maintain regular and transparent communication with the team, the country medical advisors, and other relevant stakeholders, with the objective of ensuring good cooperation and partnerships.
• Proactively network and coordinate with the relevant coordination bodies, commissions, and health agencies. (mainly MoH coordination). Ensure clear internal coordination, to increase integration of activities and cohesion.

Logistics

• Work to prevent stock outages and ensure stock requests, purchase are being carried out in timely fashion.
• Monitor and support managers to make sure adequate stock and deliveries is happening.
• Maintain up to date overview of all supplies needed for the vaccination activities.
• Provide technical input into specifications for vaccination items.

Quality Management / Project Design

• Ensure that project implementation is done according to Medair policy and Global technical response standards.
• Responsible for setting objectives of the COVID-19 vaccination activities, monitoring progress against agreed indicators and exit planning in collaboration with the managers, PC and advisors.
• Develop and maintain job aids, sops, and resources to aid teams in their response interventions.

Security Management

• Collaborate with the DCD, National Security Officer (National Level), and PCs, PMs and Security Officers (Project level) to monitor the security situation for teams in the field, particularly with regard to community acceptance risks.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Clinical degree or diploma (nurse, midwife or doctor), or Public Health degree; Previous experience working in vaccination campaigns is required, ideally COVID-19.
• Strong working knowledge of English and French (spoken and written).

What is the ROC and why is it required?

Experience

• 2 years’ post-qualification nursing / medical professional experience.
• At least 1 year management experience in a health context.
• At least 1-2 years’ work experience in health in developing country, including vaccination campaigns.
• Willing to work long hours in a complex coordination environment.
• Willingness to support others and to share workload.
• Capacity to work under pressure. Able to cope with basic living conditions.