Public Health Immunization Information Systems Specialist (PH-IISS)

Overview

JOB PURPOSE: The Project Management and Technical Support (PMTS) – Public Health Immunization Information Systems Specialist (PH-IISS) will be a key resource for the overall planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation support of the three strategies (Workforce, Foundational Capabilities, and Data Modernization) under the RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS)’ Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems (OE22-2203) Grant (PHIG) funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS).

The PH-IISS will be directed by the National Immunization Director under the Leadership of the Deputy Secretary, Bureau of Primary Health Care (PHC). Additional technical and operational guidance will be provided by the PHIG PMTS Team Lead (TL), and the RMI MOHHS Deputy Secretary (DS), Office of Health Planning, Policy, Preparedness, Personnel and Epidemiology (OHPPPE)/Health Informatics Director, the RMI MOHHS Ministry Leadership Team (MLT), and the RMI MOHHS’ OE22-2203 Project Management Unit (PMU). The PMU is comprised of designated RMI MOHHS staff and OE22-2203-funded consultant technical leads. The PMU will be responsible for the daily management oversight, planning, coordination, and monitoring of OE22-2203-funded activities. The PMU will be further supported by the RMI MOHHS’ OE22-2203 bona fide agent, the Pacific Islands Health Officers’ Association (PIHOA), who will provide administrative and fiscal support for the RMI MOHHS’ OE22-2203 grant.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the above supervisory and relationship arrangements, the PH-IISS will carry out the following categorized duties:

1. MODERNIZING IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION SYSTEMS (MIIS) AND INTEGRATION PROCESSES:
   • Serve as the primary technical focal point for the overall planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring support of the OE22-2203 grant-funded MIIS component interventions under the Strategy A3 DMI-MIIS
   • Be responsible for leading and managing the DMI Modernizing Immunization Information Systems (MIIS) project in collaboration with the PMTS-DMI Specialist and the MoHHS Health Informatics Department Coordinator.
   • Collaborate and ensure streamlined immunization information systems interventions with initiatives of relevant children’s health-focused programs such as MOHHS Child Survival and Development, Maternal and Child Health, CDC Immunization Program, the World Health Organization (WHO), the RMI United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) Health and Nutrition program and the World Bank Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project.
   • Improve existing data systems and/or develop new systems to facilitate data collection, consolidation, validation, management, and analysis of immunization data from different sources.
   • Develop, refine, and/or optimize the OE22-2203-funded DMI MIIS activities to properly align with the RMI MOHHS’ 8-Year Ministry Strategy Plan (MSP), 2023 -2030.
   • Ensure performance monitoring of the MIIS Project collaboratively with other grant-funded DMI MIIS consultants/contractors in coordination with the PMTS-TL.
   • Plan, convey, and facilitate DMI MIIS planning meetings with RMI MOHHS MLT, PMU, PMTS, and relevant program staff and local/international partners as appropriate.
   • Carry out a comprehensive assessment of immunization information system (IIS) functionality, data quality, data management, and workforce at the onset of engagement, and identify gaps to prioritize for improvement in Majuro, Ebeye, and targeted Neighboring Island Health Centers (NIHCs).
   • Develop an implementation plan outlining prioritized efforts to enhance the IIS data modernization workforce, modernize Immunization Information Systems (IIS), improve data quality and data management, and improve interoperability between health Information Technology (IT) systems and IIS.
   • Align and advance RMI MIIS toward international IIS standards and certification efforts as endorsed by the CDC; lead implementation of the plan, which includes prioritized actions for each of the five areas outlined above, and improvement in the IIS leading to IIS technology and data quality certification endorsed by the CDC.
   • Collaborate with the Health Informatics Director, PMTS -DMI Specialist, and the Data/Surveillance Officer (DSO) in consultation with the PMTS-TL to optimize Immunization Information Systems processes and tools for quality reporting of Immunization interventions in NIHCs.
   • Collaborate with the PMTS-Management Analyst to ensure adherence to work plans per pre-stipulated and/or revised budgets.
2. IMMUNIZATION-SPECIFIC TASKS
   • Monitor immunization program performance and vaccine-preventable diseases surveillance.
   • Track progress towards global and regional immunization indicators.
   • Monitor progress towards the immunization-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
   • Guide global and regional immunization strategies.
   • Ensure Timely sectoral analysis, input, support, and coordination contribute to the Situation Analysis with consistent integration of sex disaggregated data and its periodic update for effective project planning, development, and management with consistency.
   • Quality contributions are made to the development and implementation of the immunization strategies and approaches through participation and collaboration with internal and external partnership.
   • Work plan and objectives are strategically established, technical support is effectively provided, and planned results are delivered timely through the exercise of strong technical leadership.
   • Project implementation progress is monitored and evaluated for adjustment, acceleration, and improvement of program delivery and sustainability.
   • The capacities of Immunization staff are strengthened through effective capacity building program in the development, implementation, and management of the immunization program.
   • Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, program coordination, information sharing, and knowledge networking.
   • All required program reports are prepared in a timely manner in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
   • Emergency preparedness is maintained, and emergency responses with effective coordination are provided in emergencies.
3. STREAMLINING OF MOHHS MSP (2022 – 2030) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework:
   • Collaborate with MOHHS Epidemiology and Surveillance Team and RMI National Immunization Director to ensure alignment with the RMI MOHHS’ 8-Year Ministry Strategy Plan (MSP) and CDC’s OE22-2203 grant requirements and conditions
   • Under the guidance of the PMTS-TL, stipulate monitoring parameters for MIIS
   • Under the guidance of the PMTS-TL, plan/outsource a process evaluation and/or mid and end term evaluations of the MIIS as a component of an overarching evaluation of the DMI and/or MOHHS Digital Health Plan
4. STAFF TRAINING USING M&E:
   • Collaborate with RMI MOHHS MLT, RMI National Immunization Program, Epidemiology and Surveillance team to identify priority training areas.
   • Drive local sustainability by mentoring the RMI National Immunizations Epidemiology Specialist Consultant (targeted recruitment of RMI locals/residents) and the RMI National Immunization Director, particularly to ensure competence in timely, complete, and accurate data analysis, interpretation, visualization, action, and reporting.
   • Conduct training
5. ADDITIONAL TASKS:
   • When requested, attend and actively participate in all assigned OE22-2203 grants management meetings with the PMU, PIHOA, and CDC to discuss planning, implementation status, reporting, and troubleshooting of approved WD activities
   • Perform other assigned duties by the PMTS-TL and MOHHS

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DELIVERABLES

1. Revised Immunization SOPs, Processes, and workflows
2. Immunization data forms, templates, and tools
3. Immunization Standard Operating Procedures
4. Immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases’ Information, Education and Communication (IE) materials
5. Immunization Program Progress and Monthly Monitoring Reports
6. Immunization data and information dashboard outputs
7. Vaccine availability and/or stock-out reports

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications

1. Minimum MBBS, MD or equivalent degree and medical qualification with substantive field experience of at least five years in the Management of Immunization and related programs at national and/or sub-national levels.
2. Additional postgraduate qualifications in Public Health, such as MPH or MHA, are a plus
3. Minimum seven (7) years of experience in health programs management and/or sustainable development, ideally in low-resource settings

Skills

1. Must have experience in Immunization Programming and best practices.
2. Experience with drafting policies to address national immunization issues and standards.
3. Must have knowledge of immunization policies and standards
4. Must have knowledge of vaccine cold chain maintenance and vaccine storage.
5. Must have demonstrated experience working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals and leadership in a team-based environment.
6. Must have advanced interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to facilitate effective, professional, and compassionate communication and consultations with health agency leadership and program staff, community stakeholders, partners, and funders.
7. Must have computer skills, including familiarity with MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and fluency in a variety of applicable programming languages, software, and systems.
8. Must have advanced English-speaking and writing skills.
9. Must have excellent observational skills and attention to detail, including high-level critical thinking and timely, effective decision-making to adapt to and resolve problems as they arise.
10. Must be self-motivated, disciplined, and able to operate with limited supervision.
11. Must demonstrate compassion, patience, and ability to adapt to less-than-ideal, complex, and intense working conditions, including environments with little or no English-speaking skills and diverse cultural/ideological beliefs and practices.
12. Must have a valid passport to be able to travel domestically and internationally.
13. When requested, be able to submit Police and Medical Clearance Reports, including TB and HIV tests, as part of entry requirements into the RMI.
14. Must have a valid driver’s license.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Office and program equipment and supplies needed to conduct contract work will be provided by PIHOA and the RMI MOHHS, including but not limited to a desk and chair, laptop, relevant software subscriptions and laptop accessories, and general office supplies (PIHOA) and office space (RMI MOHHS).
• Travel expenses between the candidate’s home base and the duty station in Majuro, RMI will be fully covered by PIHOA using the most economical and direct travel route (coach class) at the start and conclusion of the contracted performance period, including any required transit accommodation and related expenses (ground transportation to/from airport and transit hotel), arrival/departure fees, and transit daily subsistence allowance per PIHOA’s Travel Policy. Any accompanied luggage/air cargo, excess weight expenses, and travel insurance fees may be eligible for reimbursement upon submission of proper expense receipts from the airline and travel insurance provider. Transportation of household furniture, goods, personal vehicle, etc., will not be covered.
• At the start of the contract, PIHOA will cover up to 14 days of hotel accommodation, daily subsistence allowance, ground transportation, and other eligible relocation expenses to allow time for the successful candidate to identify more permanent local housing.
• Any local, RMI domestic travel required in the conduct of work within the RMI will be covered by PIHOA using RMI MOHHS’ Travel Policy. All other trips not associated with contracted work will be at the candidate’s expense.
• Eligible dependent travel may be eligible to be covered at the start and end of the contract performance period. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, pending the availability of funds.
• No other benefits will be provided by PIHOA or the RMI MOHHS. Any medical or other insurance expenses, local and home-based taxes, etc., will be the sole responsibility of the candidate. The RMI MOHHS can provide information regarding applying for local medical insurance through the RMI Government’s medical insurance scheme.

APPLICATION: Submit the following electronically to contracts@pihoa.org:

1. Letter of Interest that outlines your overall qualifications and professional experience in response to the Primary Qualifications listed above
2. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
3. A minimum of three (3) professional references—these references must be from current and past employment supervisors based on the last 8-10 years of employment.