Short-Term Consultancy, Research and Information Management Assistant (Open for Filipino Nationals only)

Project: Gabay Bakuna Consequential Immunization Geographies Initiative Project (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s [CDC] Strengthening Immunization Program Implementation in Sub-National Consequential Geographies - Philippines)

Rationale: In 2020, an estimated 17 million children worldwide were completely unvaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in 10 countries where 65% of these children live. The Philippines was included among the 10 countries with the highest number of unvaccinated children for the said diseases, or what are called “zero-dose” children. Hence, the United States Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (US CDC) has included the Philippines as one of the countries in Asia for a project on consequential geographies to address zero-dose children, measles, polio, and vaccination during public health emergencies.

The “Gabay Bakuna” Consequential Immunization Geographies Initiative Project aims to improve public health surveillance capacity at the national and subnational levels; three (2) strategies are included. These are: 1) strengthening immunization services in targeted subnational areas, 2) supporting and continuously improving comprehensive VPD surveillance systems, 3) preparing for and responding to VPD outbreaks in targeted subnational
areas, and 4) fostering immunization program sustainability. 

Aside from the above, as part of the project’s assessment activities, and regional capacity strengthening and technical assistance to the DOH National Immunization Program, the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, and the DOH Center for Health Development IV-A Regional Immunization Team, Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (DOH CHD IV-A RESU), the conduct of the rapid EPI review, data triangulation, capacity development for supportive supervision and clinical staff training on VPD surveillance, private sector immunization service providers assessment, risk communication, community engagement and infodemic management will be done in the provinces of Laguna and
Cavite in Region IV-A.

The Project is looking for a “Research and Information Management Assistant” (RIMA) who will be contracted as a short-term technical consultant. He/She will assist the Immunization Technical Advisor, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer, Project Coordinator, and other short-term consultants of Jhpiego involved in the implementation of the Gabay Bakuna Consequential Immunization Geographies Initiative.

The RIMA will support the research, learning, knowledge, and information management-related activities of Gabay Bakuna, with a specific focus on data triangulation and EPI review, and other CDC-related learning activities. He/She will support the Jhpiego Immunization Team and the project consultants involved in the Gabay Bakuna project components with research and information management technical support requirements. Specific responsibilities are indicated below:

1. Work closely with the Immunization Technical Advisor, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer, Project Coordination, Gabay Bakuna consultants involved in EPI Review and data triangulation, to ensure the quality of data collected and monitoring of implementation progress;
2. Assist the MEL Officer and Project Coordinator in data management concerns for other CDC-related learning activities;
3. Assist the MEL Officer in monitoring key performance indicators using data collection and collation tools in line with the Gabay Bakuna Project’s evaluation, performance, and monitoring plan (EPMP);
4. Organize collected knowledge or information from desk reviews in EPI review, data triangulation, and other CDC-related learning activities;
5. Collect other data and other relevant information related to the implementation of the Gabay Bakuna project components;
6. Support and assist the MEL Officer in the data analysis of monitoring, research and learning, knowledge and information, and other data or statistics from relevant Gabay Bakuna activity components;
7. Assist the Jhpiego Immunization team in the organization, storage, and management of the project database to ensure the accuracy of knowledge and information gathered;
8. Support and assist in the planning and identification of priorities and directions based on data, knowledge, information, or data collected, and the successes, challenges, and gaps identified; and,
9. Support the Immunization Technical Advisor, the MEL Officer, and Project Coordinator in the preparation of periodic reports, if applicable.

Required qualification of the Research and Information Management Assistant:

Educational Background

1. A graduate with a bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: statistics or biostatistics, demography, applied statistics or applied mathematics, data science and analytics, knowledge or                    information management, health informatics, health economics, development studies, public health, public administration, or other relevant health-, social-, or data sciences-related course;

Professional Experience
1. Equivalent professional experience in any of the following sectors: public health, food and nutrition, science and technology, education, social welfare, economic and development planning, or other

    development sector, either at the national, subnational, or local government level, is preferred;

2. Minimum of at least two (2) years of experience working with teams of development agencies, non-government, or non-profit organizations involved in projects on research and learning, public health or

    health services research, food and nutrition research, social science research, and/or knowledge, or information management;

3  Work experience in health research, implementation research, or social science research, knowledge or information management, or data management, will be an advantage.

Technical and Functional Capacities
1. Good understanding of project research and learning cycle, data collection and management activities, knowledge management or information management, approaches, and tools;
2. Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
3. Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, schedule, and balance workloads in the face of conflicting and uneven demands;
4. Experience with data pivots, heat maps, and other data analytics is a plus.
5. Proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications, e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, other data management software or tools, etc.;
6. High proficiency in database management or statistical software (e.g. SPSS, GIS, etc.) is preferred;
7. Should be able to identify and solve problems that may arise during administrative and logistical processes;
8. Should have excellent attention to detail to ensure that all administrative and logistical tasks are complied accurately and efficiently;
9. Should be able to manage multiple tasks at once and prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance;
10. Experience in report writing and good communication skills; and,
11. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Filipino.

Other Requirements:

1. Willing to travel within Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, and other Region IV-A areas (Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) as needed.