Program Officer, Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access – PATH – Dhaka, Bangladesh

Job Description

PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.

PATH’s Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access (CVIA) brings together our expertise across every stage of the long and complex process of vaccine research, development, and delivery to make lifesaving vaccines widely available to children and communities across the world. CVIA’s current portfolio encompasses more than two dozen vaccines either in development or already in use to protect against 15 different diseases. Our focus is on vaccines to address the leading diseases that claim children’s lives worldwide: pneumonia, diarrheal disease, and malaria; as well as other global health priorities, such as polio and meningitis. We work in partnership with national health ministries, pharmaceutical manufacturers, donors, international financing and regulatory organizations, and many others. PATH has led numerous global partnerships, including the award-winning Meningitis Vaccine Project and the Malaria Vaccine Initiative, which helped develop the first malaria vaccine candidate recommended for pilot implementation.

Policy, Access, and Introduction (PAI) supports the integration of vaccines for public health impact and disease control in developing countries. We focus on activities that facilitate vaccine introduction and widespread use in national immunization programs, such as determining disease burden, conducting clinical trials, establishing the health economics of vaccine use, raising awareness of disease burden and the impact of vaccination, increasing availability of technologies through licensing and commercialization, and advocating for appropriate policies. In addition, we implement activities that improve the accessibility of high-quality immunization services, including training, supervision, health information systems, and immunization safety, logistics, and communications.

PAI is currently recruiting for a Program Officer to support vaccine implementation and system strengthening programs in Bangladesh and possibly other countries in Asia.  The person in this position will provide technical assistance to PATH colleagues, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders to advance a portfolio of vaccine introduction-related projects including Japanese Encephalitis, COVID-19, typhoid, and human papilloma virus.

We seek candidates who have at least 5 years’ experience working with immunization programs and systems, to help implement and evaluate strategies that protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. The Program Officer will work closely with PAI colleagues around the world.

Responsibilities: 

·         Liaise with the project teams and partners to ensure the successful implementation of project activities, including creating work plans, budgeting, reconciliation of finances, and reporting.

·         Work closely with the relevant stakeholders, including MOH, universities, NGOs, civil society, private sector partners, etc.

·         Provide regular reports and updates as directed by supervising Senior Program Officer and other staff to key stakeholders on PAI projects.

·         Facilitate trainings and organizing key events and meetings.

·         Provide technical support for project activities, monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and documentation in a timely manner.

·         Assist with other programmatic and administrative duties as required for successful implementation of PAI program activities.

·         Liaise with other technical experts across PATH.

·         Represent PAI/CVIA as a member of PATH’s SE Asia team, based in New Delhi.

·         Master’s Degree in Public Health/ Epidemiology/ Social Sciences/ or related field, from a reputed institute.

·         Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in vaccines and immunization with demonstrated skills in vaccine implementation.

·         Experience in projects that involve liaising with government institutions, WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and/or other stakeholders and NGOs.

·         Experience in any of the following areas is preferred: digital health, health systems strengthening, MNCH, and infectious diseases.

·         Proven ability to multi-task and collaborate work effectively with senior staff, colleagues, donors, partner organizations, stakeholders, local institutions, and others at all levels.

·         Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines, and an emphasis on quality.

·         Excellent analytical, communication, presentation and report writing skills

·         Excellent skills in facilitation, team building and coordination.

·         Demonstrable problem-solving and analytical skills.

·         Proficiency in application of Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office Suite with an emphasis on proficiency in Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint.

·         Proven success drafting, proofreading, and editing documents.

·         Extremely detail-oriented, with the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

·         Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

·         Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-site organization and in a team-based structure.

·         Up to 10% travel is required (post-COVID-19)

Must have legal authorization to work in Bangladesh.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.