Immunization Program Advisor (anticipatory recruitment)

Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego works with health experts, governments, and community leaders to increase access and options to high-quality health services and health technology for their people. Through our partnerships, we aim to revolutionize health care for people who are disadvantaged and vulnerable around the world.

The Program Advisor for Immunization will provide technical leadership and strategic guidance for implementation of priority immunization activities under the Gavi 6.0 portfolio in the Philippines. The advisor will support the Department of Health (DOH), local government units (LGUs), and immunization partners to strengthen immunization systems, improve data quality and use, conduct HPV vaccine coverage assessment activities, support evidence-based program improvement, and advance advocacy for new vaccine introductions, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine (RVV).

Under the supervision of the Country Program Manager, the Program Advisor will ensure the program, technical, and methodological quality of project activities and provide leadership in the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of immunization-related interventions in collaboration with the country team and global technical backstopping.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Programmatic  Leadership

• Provide overall technical leadership for Gavi 6.0 immunization activities in coordination with the DOH, regional health offices, LGUs, and partners.
• Regular communication with Jhpiego HQ technical and program management team.
• Support the development, implementation, monitoring, and periodic review of project workplans, timelines, deliverables, and technical strategies.
• Provide evidence-based technical guidance on routine immunization, HPV vaccination, immunization program performance, and new vaccine introduction.
• Serve as a key technical resource and advisor to national and subnational stakeholders on immunization program strengthening.

Immunization Data Systems Strengthening

• Provide technical support and capacity building for immunization information systems, data automation initiatives, routine monitoring, and program review processes.
• Strengthen data analysis, interpretation, visualization, and use for evidence-based decision-making at national and subnational levels.
• Support the development and implementation of tools, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to improve the quality and timeliness of immunization data.
• Mentor government and partner staff in routine performance monitoring and data-driven program management.

HPV Vaccine Coverage Assessment

• Support the establishment and functioning of a Technical Advisory Group composed of representatives from DOH, WHO, UNICEF, academic institutions, professional societies, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Provide technical leadership in the design, development, and approval of HPV vaccine coverage assessment protocols and methodologies.
• Coordinate the collection, consolidation, validation, and analysis of HPV vaccination data from national, regional, and local sources.
• Lead assessments to identify barriers and facilitators affecting HPV vaccine uptake through stakeholder consultations, interviews, focus group discussions, and field validation activities.
• Support implementation of field data collection activities in selected regions and LGUs, including record reviews, health facility assessments, and key informant interviews.
• Ensure quality assurance and adherence to established protocols throughout coverage assessment activities.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, policy briefs, and recommendations based on assessment findings.
• Disseminate findings and recommendations to DOH, LGUs, immunization partners, and other stakeholders to guide program improvement and policy decisions. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with DOH, regional health offices, LGUs, development partners, professional associations, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.
• Support advocacy and engagement activities with professional bodies and key stakeholders to facilitate evidence-based decision-making and support RVV introduction.
• Represent the project in technical working groups, advisory committees, immunization forums, and partner coordination meetings.
• Review and provide technical feedback on advocacy materials, communication products, training resources, and stakeholder engagement strategies. 

Capacity Building

• Provide technical content and support for trainings, mentoring, coaching, and orientation activities for government staff and immunization stakeholders.
• Strengthen local capacity in immunization program monitoring, data analysis, coverage assessment methodologies, and evidence use.
• Other Responsibilities
• Contribute to project reporting, documentation of lessons learned, and dissemination of best practices.
• Perform other technical and programmatic tasks as assigned by the Country Program Manager.

Required Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Informatics, Biostatistics, Health Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in immunization, public health, epidemiology, health systems strengthening, monitoring and evaluation, or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience supporting national or subnational immunization programs in the Philippines.
• Experience with vaccine introduction, vaccine coverage assessments, immunization program evaluations, or related research activities preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the Philippine health system, Department of Health structures, and LGU service delivery mechanisms.
• Experience in data management, data quality improvement, routine health information systems, and data analytics.
• Proven experience designing and implementing field assessments, surveys, or public health research activities.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with government agencies, multilateral organizations, professional societies, academic institutions, and development partners.
• Excellent analytical, report writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills; proficiency in Filipino is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the Philippines, approximately 30-50% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Gavi-supported initiatives.
• Experience collaborating with DOH National Immunization Program, WHO, UNICEF, and other immunization partners.
• Familiarity with digital health systems, data automation, and routine immunization monitoring platforms.
• Experience supporting HPV vaccine introduction, adolescent immunization programs, or new vaccine introductions.