EPI Officer Full Time NEW

Job Overview:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), through its past and ongoing U.S. government-funded foreign assistance programs, has been supporting local government health offices in implementing critical health interventions, including lifesaving services and nutrition programs. As part of its current efforts, the IRC country program aims to strengthen child immunization coverage through a combination of outreach, static, and mobile service delivery strategies. Additionally, the program actively supports immunization campaigns and plays a key role in disease surveillance—particularly Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)—by working closely with community volunteers, Health Extension Workers (HEWs), Woreda Health Offices, and Zonal Health Desks.

The EPI Officer will be an integral member of the health team in Gambella, responsible for leading polio eradication activities and community-based surveillance of vaccine-preventable and priority zoonotic diseases. The role includes supporting the implementation of IRC’s CGPP health initiatives, ensuring accurate and timely sector reporting, and maintaining high-quality data. The EPI Officer will also foster strong collaboration with key stakeholders, including health facility staff, Woreda Health Office personnel, Health Extension Workers (HEWs), Health Workers (HWs), and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), to promote improved treatment-seeking behavior and strengthen community-level health systems.

Major Responsibilities:

• Strengthen immunization services in targeted woredas to improve routine and outreach immunization coverage and support polio eradication efforts.
• Plan and implement outreach immunization sessions in collaboration with health facilities and woreda health offices.
• Identify and address logistical gaps, including maintenance of cold chain equipment (e.g., refrigerators) and transport (e.g., motorbikes).
• Train HEWs and health workers on immunization practices and ensure integration of polio activities into woreda micro plans
• Support Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) and ensure alignment with national and regional strategies.
• Coordinate with government health offices, NGOs, and UN agencies to strengthen partnerships and share information.
• Mainstream immunization efforts through engagement with religious and community structures.
• Establish and oversee community-based surveillance systems for vaccine-preventable and priority zoonotic diseases.
• Train Community Volunteers (CVs) on AFP, Measles, and NNT surveillance, and conduct quarterly review meetings with them.
• Strengthen linkages between CVs and Health Extension Workers (HEWs) to enhance community-level disease detection and reporting.
• Lead community sensitization efforts on routine immunization and distribute IEC materials to support mobilization.
• Conduct regular health facility assessments and joint supportive supervision with government staff to improve immunization coverage and active case detection.
• Provide technical supervision and capacity building for CVs, HEWs, and health workers, including training on immunization practices.
• Identify and facilitate maintenance of cold chain equipment (e.g., refrigerators) and transport (e.g., motorbikes).
• Improve documentation, reporting, and utilization of immunization and surveillance data.
• Submit timely reports to donors and government stakeholders on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual basis.
• Provide weekly programmatic updates to the Senior Health Officer and ensure regular submission of client feedback to the MEAL department.
• Support budget monitoring and prepare activity, spending, and procurement plans.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of integrated project strategies in coordination with other IRC projects.
• Provide technical support across IRC’s health project areas in the woreda of Nuer Zone (Makuey).

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC Health and Nutrition Department
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Educational Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a diploma, 2 years with a bachelor’s degree, or 1 year with a postgraduate degree in a related health field.
• Proven experience in immunization programs and Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM), particularly in NGO settings, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and supervise the implementation of community-based surveillance projects targeting vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., AFP, Measles, NNT) and prioritized zoonotic diseases (e.g., Anthrax, Brucellosis, Rabies).
• At least 2 years of experience managing Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and disease surveillance/PHEM programs in Ethiopia.

Preferred Skills and Attributes:

• Strong project management, organizational, and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a cross-functional, multicultural team.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including government and community actors.
• Adaptable and proactive in managing change with a positive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Self-motivated, honest, responsible, punctual, and capable of addressing performance gaps constructively.

Language Skills:

• Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of the local language is advantageous.