Project Director, Immunization Program

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization that responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises. Founded in 1933, the IRC has been at the forefront of providing relief and support to those affected by conflict and disaster. The organization operates in over 40 countries and has a workforce of more than 14,000 employees. The IRC's mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The IRC is committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have access to the support they need to rebuild their lives and communities.

Job Overview:
The Project Lead for the Immunization Program will play a pivotal role within the IRC's Health Unit, specifically within the Primary Health Care Global Practice Area. This position is crucial for managing an anticipated donor-funded immunization project aimed at enhancing vaccine coverage and addressing the needs of Zero Dose Children in Niger and Chad. The Project Lead will be responsible for providing technical, strategic, and operational leadership across both countries, ensuring that the project is implemented effectively and efficiently. This role involves overseeing a small team, managing project activities, and ensuring high-quality technical approaches are employed. The Project Lead will also be responsible for fostering strong partnerships with donors and stakeholders, ensuring that the project aligns with IRC's broader health strategies and objectives. This position is contingent upon the successful award of funding, highlighting the importance of adaptability and readiness to respond to changing circumstances in the humanitarian sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Lead will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities that include:

• Project Leadership & Management: Provide strategic leadership for the immunization project across Niger and Chad, ensuring that country teams have the necessary tools and guidance for effective implementation. Oversee project planning, inception phase design, and progress tracking, while troubleshooting field implementation challenges. Manage project financials in collaboration with the Finance Officer, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
• Technical Quality & Learning: Offer strategic guidance on immunization best practices, ensuring consistency of technical standards across programs. Collaborate with global partners to integrate best practices into local implementation and oversee the development of a robust learning agenda.
• MEAL & Evidence Generation: Ensure rigorous monitoring of project activities, collaborating with MEAL teams to generate evidence that informs cross-country learning and sector-wide dissemination.
• Strategic Communications & Project Accountability: Represent the IRC in high-level forums, ensuring transparency and consistency in communications with donors and stakeholders.
• Team Management: Cultivate a high-performing team, supporting their growth and performance in alignment with IRC’s leadership standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, or a related field. A minimum of 10 years of progressively senior experience in health programming is required, with substantial experience in immunization programs. Candidates should demonstrate excellent project management skills, including budget management and risk mitigation. Proven leadership in managing multi-country, donor-funded health projects is essential, along with experience in demand-side health interventions and community engagement programs. Familiarity with conditional cash transfer and nutrition programs is preferred, as is experience working in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of health programming and the specific challenges associated with immunization efforts in fragile contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of progressively senior experience in health programming, with a strong emphasis on immunization programs. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in managing multi-country health projects, particularly those funded by donors. Experience in demand-side health interventions and community engagement is also essential, as well as familiarity with working in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory, with strong oral and written communication skills required in both languages. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in the context of working in diverse communities across Niger and Chad.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may require travel globally up to 30% of the time, occasionally on short notice. The IRC is committed to creating an inclusive environment and values diversity in its workforce. The organization offers competitive compensation and benefits, and applicants with varied career paths are encouraged to apply. The IRC adheres to a strict Code of Conduct and is dedicated to reducing the gender gap in leadership roles, implementing supportive measures for women in the workplace.