Coordinator: Crown Agents (CA)

The Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) was introduced in Zimbabwe in 1982 with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The primary objective was to vaccinate all children below the age of one year against six killer diseases: polio, diphtheria, tuberculosis, pertussis (whooping cough), measles and tetanus. Since then, new vaccines against other severe vaccine-preventable diseases have been developed and introduced such as the pneumococcal vaccine introduced in 2012, human papillomavirus (HPV) and the rotavirus vaccines which were both introduced in May 2014. Zimbabwe is in a fortunate position because the EPI National Policy adopted in 2000 is able to include many of the new options into the National EPI and adjust the EPI schedule according to the disease epidemiology in the country.

Zimbabwe is currently not meeting the Global Vaccine Alliance Performance (GVAP) target that all districts within a country should have DTP3 coverage of at least 80%. The Zimbabwe Joint Appraisal Report (JAR) 2018 mentions that all provinces had an increase in the number of unvaccinated children for Penta 3 except for Chitungwiza and Masvingo that had a decrease. Children not vaccinated with Measles 1 showed a decrease from 2015 to 2016 and were on the rise again in 2017. It also states that there are districts who failed to achieve 80% coverage for DTP3, MCV1 and MCV2.

Crown Agents (CA) seeks to address the religious hindrance to EPI service utilization by involving Pro- vaccine/pro-health religious leaders in healthcare management through community engagement/dialogue and incentivising positively to positive outcomes. Community Based Organisations (CBOs) will be contracted into a formal role to work with communities and rural health centres in the specific 20 districts that have been assigned to Crown Agents.

It is against this background that CA seeks to engage an EPI Coordinator to oversee operations in the 20 assigned districts. Below is the detailed Terms of Reference for the EPI coordinator.

Job Description of the EPI Coordinator

The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) coordinators’ position involves planning, management, monitoring & evaluation of immunization and surveillance activities under health programs in the 20 designated districts under Crown Agents (CA). The coordinator will oversee EPI activities for the Community Engagement -Demand promotion project of Crown Agents.

She/he will be based at Crown Agents Offices in Harare and will have frequent travel to health centers in the districts. He/she will be responsible for planning and implementing, monitoring and evaluation of the immunization and surveillance activities.

Qualifications and Key Competencies

University Degree/ Masters in Public Health, Nursing or any other related field from recognized University; At least five-year NGO experience; At least 5years of relevant experience in managing health programs both at clinical and community-based programs, working in immunization, Disease Surveillance and other primary Health Care components; Experience in Behaviour Change Strategies (BCC) and able to design effective BCC strategies to communities and have experience of community engagement activities; Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct; Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences; Capable to work under pressure, long work hours and high workload; Good communication skills- verbal and written skills. Communication in vernacular and English are a must; Able to plan, organize, and supervise implementation of health projects in the assigned districts; Demonstrated experience and skills in ensuring community participation in programming; Experience in training of staff in health programming; Have basic computer skills- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, and e-mail); Thorough knowledge and understanding National EPI Policy of Zimbabwe; Excellent interpersonal, organizational and time management skills.