Senior Programme Officer

The Health System and Financial Sustainability (HSFS) team provides technical expertise to countries, in collaboration with other GAVI secretariat units, especially the Country Support Unit whose Country Responsible Officers (CROs) manage the grants.  The HSFS team brings strong technical expertise in public and health financing, health systems, aid effectiveness and policy dialogue, financial management and accountability. A priority issue for GAVI-supported countries is to financially sustain their immunizations services and programmes once GAVI phases out its financial support over a period of 5 years (graduation phase) during which countries are expected to move from co-financing to full financing of vaccines.

The Senior Programme Officer (SPO) will be responsible for ensuring that effective support is provided to GAVI countries during their graduation phase in order to achieve financial sustainability of immunization services, including development of graduation plans.  The SPO will work very closely with GAVI Alliance partners and CROs to design and provide technical support to graduating countries. The SPO will bring knowledge of immunisation and health financing and development issues and be proactive in identifying and addressing sustainability issues through close monitoring and effective communication, facilitation and coordination with countries and partners.  The position requires a high level of communication, analytical and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to represent GAVI at the highest level.   

Key results expected:

• Fulfilment of co-financing requirements of graduating countries, implementation of country graduation plans and successful graduation from GAVI support;
• Strong relationships and regular communication with GAVI’s Country Responsible Officers, key counterparts in Government, members of the GAVI Alliance and other development partners;
• Government, GAVI Alliance and other development partners understand GAVI’s co-financing and graduation policies and support;
• Real time information on status of co-financing, immunisation financing and implementation of country graduation plans  available;
• High quality timely analysis and policy advice on graduation, immunisation sustainability and health financing in countries; 
• Early identification and reporting of any weaknesses or gaps in the sustainability prospects of GAVI funded activities and programmes post-graduation.

Main duties/ Responsibilities:

• Work with GAVI Alliance partners and support the GAVI Country Responsible Officers in ensuring effective development and implementation of country graduation plans in GAVI countries;

• Undertake country visits to explain the importance and implications of the GAVI co-financing and graduation policies to Government and development partners, to provide technical expertise and advice for the development of country graduation plans, including costing of those and negotiating the level of GAVI funding; and to ensure appropriate and timely monitoring of the implementation of the graduation plans;  
• Represent GAVI, and liaise and negotiate with countries and partners;
• Proactively communicate with GAVI’s Country Responsible Officers and partners through appropriate channels to facilitate sharing of information on GAVI/country interaction;
• Analyse and interpret immunisation and health financing data and information on GAVI graduating countries - prepare reports,  forecasts and budget, and country fact sheets;
• Support the Senior Specialist with analysis and reports on financial sustainability, country co-financing and graduation.
• Ensure the regular feedback from graduation activities contributes to policy and programme development and to the overall GAVI policy development work as required;
• Represent the Secretariat in technical and regional meetings as required;

Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not limited only to the tasks listed and may include other duties as assigned.

Academic:

• Advanced university degree in Health Economics, Economics, Public Health, Social Sciences or related fields.

Work experience:

• Minimum 8 years professional experience at national and international levels in health and development programmes in a variety of settings;
• Experience in health financing and health systems is essential  and experience in immunisation programmes is desirable;
• Experience in bilateral and multilateral environments;
• Strong experience in working in / with developing countries;
• Demonstrable work experience of successful management of situations of considerable complexity and/or political sensitivity;
• Experience conducting quantitative research and published research desirable;
• Experience of representational duties at international fora and conferences;
• Experience in international development cooperation.

Skills/Competencies:

• Current knowledge of immunisation and health financing issues, strategies and policies;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication and advocacy skills;
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting and under pressure;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural, international environment and with multiple partners;
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and skills;
• Excellent organization skills and high sense of responsibility, efficiency, reliable and a focus on results;
• Good knowledge of institutional or organisational policies, systems and procedures;

Travel:

This position will require significant (up to 40%) travel to GAVI eligible countries.

Languages:

• Written and spoken fluency in English essential.
• Fluency in at least one of the following languages: French, Spanish or Russian, and more than one will be considered an asset.

Internal Contacts:

• GAVI Secretariat

External Contacts:

• Developing country governments;
• GAVI Alliance partners;
• UN, Multilateral & bilateral donor agencies and civil society.

For full job description and how to apply, please visit: http://www.gavialliance.org/careers/

GAVI is committed to diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.