The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to our mission of saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. We work at the invitation of governments to support them and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems.

CHAI was founded in 2002 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic with the goal of dramatically reducing the price of life-saving drugs and increasing access to these medicines in the countries with the highest burden of the disease. Over the following two decades, CHAI has expanded its focus. Today, along with HIV, we work in conjunction with our partners to prevent and treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Our work has also expanded into cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases, and we work to accelerate the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reduce maternal and child mortality, combat chronic malnutrition, and increase access to assistive technology. We are investing in horizontal approaches to strengthen health systems through programs in human resources for health, digital health, and health financing. With each new and innovative program, our strategy is grounded in maximizing sustainable impact at scale, ensuring that governments lead the solutions, that programs are designed to scale nationally, and learnings are shared globally.

At CHAI, our people are our greatest asset, and none of this work would be possible without their talent, time, dedication and passion for our mission and values. We are a highly diverse team of enthusiastic individuals across 40 countries with a broad range of skillsets and life experiences. CHAI is deeply grounded in the countries we work in, with majority of our staff based in program countries. Learn more about our exciting work: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

CHAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to providing an environment of fairness, and mutual respect where all applicants have access to equal employment opportunities. CHAI values diversity and inclusion, and recognizes that our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse experience, backgrounds, and culture.

Overview of Program 

In 2019, CHAI Sierra Leone (SL) began assisting Sierra Leone's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to address essential challenges concerning data quality, supply chain enhancement, and the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Over the span of 2019 to 2022, with funding from Gavi and other donors, CHAI SL provided crucial technical support to enhance data-driven decision-making within EPI. This included the improvement of data accuracy, identification of key performance metrics, tool reviews, and data workflow analysis, culminating in the establishment of a review and response system in all districts. This effort led to tangible outcomes, notably a substantial increase in stock reporting within the DHIS2 at the PHU level, which in turn enhanced vaccine stock visibility and reduced vaccine stock-outs in numerous health facilities.

In response to the global pandemic, CHAI SL pioneered the creation of the 'COVID-19 Impact Tracker Dashboard.' This innovative tool was instrumental in comprehending the ramifications of COVID-19 on immunization services at various administrative levels, from districts to individual facilities. The insights gathered from this dashboard empowered EPI to act swiftly, implementing measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of the pandemic on immunization efforts. Additionally, CHAI SL has been a leading partner in the introduction of the HPV vaccine. The HPV introduction involvement spanned a range of activities including the identification of the HPV age cohort, coordination at both national and district levels, resource mobilization, and even on-ground efforts like readiness assessments, vaccine quantification, and community outreach programs.

Post-launch of the HPV vaccines has seen a notable decline in vaccination rates and maintaining optimal coverage. Intensified efforts in March to May 2023 through PIRIs, leveraging on zero-dose initiatives has helped to boost HPV coverage during these periods. Nevertheless, HPV uptake outside of these periods has been consistently below target.

In 2024, BMGF through HAPPI is extending support to Sierra Leone to fill crucial gaps in the HPV vaccination program by enhancing strategies for sustainable vaccine delivery, improving community acceptance and demand, strengthening data management and bolstering overall EPI program management. This intervention is crucial for Sierra Leone, as the country strives to continually protect its young female population against HPV and its associated risks, including cervical cancer. CHAI will provide support to increase and sustain HPV vaccine uptake in Sierra Leone, with a particular focus on low performing districts. 

Overview of Position

The Associate will integrate with the Sierra Leone country office, collaborating closely with the EPI team responsible for the coordination of HPV vaccination activities. The primary role will be to conduct a situation analysis to identify barriers and to support the co-development of solutions with the community and other relevant stakeholders to improve HPV vaccination uptake and take on tasks delegated by the Program Manager. Tasks will involve conducting comprehensive reviews, engaging with key stakeholders, identifying bottlenecks, developing remedial road map and following up with their implementation status.

We are in search of an individual who demonstrates exceptional analytical prowess, coupled with stellar communication capabilities. The individual should be able to operate autonomously and demonstrate adaptability. Key attributes sought in the ideal candidate are alignment with CHAI’s foundational values: resourcefulness, entrepreneurialism, flexibility, independence, humility, and a steadfast work ethic. The candidate should exhibit strong technical and analytical competencies, paired with a fervent aspiration to apply these skills to devise pragmatic solutions in demanding settings.

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the reasons and contributing factors behind the low coverage and uptake of the HPV vaccine in Sierra Leone.
• Through findings from the assessments and the Human Centered Design workshop, support the development and execution of a contextually appropriate and scalable coverage improvement implementation roadmap.
• Conduct targeted training of HCW to enhance HPV vaccine education and advocating for its integration into school health policy implementation.
• Disseminate results across a diverse range of stakeholders to inform HPV programming nationally and globally.
• Support the EPI to develop a digitized Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system for effective real-time vaccination tracking.
• Support the establishment of CHAI operations across districts as it relates to the HPV vaccination program.
• Liaise with stakeholders at all levels to evaluate national immunization commitments, workplan specifically focusing on the scale up of HPV vaccination in the country.
• Collaborate with the EPI at national and district level to review and update HPV delivery strategy to improve routine uptake and optimization.
• Support and engage in advocacy efforts targeting political and traditional leaders at national and local levels to promote awareness and support for HPV vaccination.  
• Engage with the government to ensure a smooth transfer of skills, fostering government ownership.
• Develop and maintain robust working relationships with government entities, internal partners, donors, and INGOs, ensuring optimal coordination of resources and endeavors within the district and at national level.
• Develop persuasive presentations and reports for donors and the government.
• Other tasks as necessary. 

• MBBS, Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, statistics, or other technical disciplines with a minimum of 3 years of experience in a demanding result driven environment in the private or public sector, with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership, or a master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, Econometrics or other technical disciplines and a minimum of 2 years of work experience.
• Ability to work independently and to develop and execute plans to achieve specified impact with limited guidance and a high level of uncertainty, including an ability to multi-task and be effective in high-pressure situations.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the capacity to synthesize data into an effective presentation of results and recommendations to guide program implementation.
• Exceptional diplomatic, strategic-thinking, and interpersonal skills, and an ability to build durable relationships.
• Excellent leadership, and team management abilities.

Advantages

• Experience working in EPI, newborn, child and adolescent health;
• Experience in conducting data analysis;
• Experience in facilitating and coordinating meetings;
• Experience working in a developing country and/or with bureaucratic and government organizations;
• Proficiency in Krio.

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