Neonatal Vaccine Delivery Consultant

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Organization: African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)

Deadline:  13 February 2026

Job Description

Date: Friday January 30, 2026
Program: Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI)
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Application deadline: Friday February 13, 2026

Background:

African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is a not-for-profit organization, networking and service alliance of African Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs), and other applied epidemiology training programs in Sub Saharan Africa. Through its member field epidemiology training programs, AFENET is dedicated to supporting African ministries of health build strong, effective, and sustainable programs with capacity to improve public health systems. AFENET’s vision is to ensure a “Healthier Africa” by effective prevention and control of epidemics and other priority public health problems in Africa.

Individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) have a 15%–25% estimated lifetime risk of developing liver cancer or cirrhosis. The risk of progression to chronic HBV infection is inversely related to the age of acquisition of infection; around 70%–90% of infants infected before 1 year of age will develop chronic HBV infection. In areas of intermediate or high endemicity, defined as having 2%–8% or >8% population prevalence of chronic HBV infection, respectively, most infections are attributable to motherto-child and early childhood transmission. Effective vaccines against HBV have been available since the early 1980s. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all countries include a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepBBD) in their routine immunization schedule, preferably administered within 24 hours of birth, followed by two or three additional doses to prevent perinatal and early childhood HBV infections and the subsequent progression to chronic HBV infection.

Ethiopia has an intermediate to high population prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Ethiopia has endorsed regional and global hepatitis B control and elimination goals to reduce chronic HBV infection prevalence to <1% in children aged 5 years old by 2020 and to <0.1% by 2030. To protect infants against hepatitis B, Ethiopia introduced the hepatitis B-containing pentavalent vaccine in 2007 for infants aged 6, 10, and 14 weeks. In 2024, national Hepatitis B vaccine 3rd dose coverage was estimated at 73% (WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage).

Following the completion of a 2021 pilot study that demonstrated the feasibility of HepBBD vaccination in selected woredas of three regions (Addis Ababa, Amhara, and Afar), Ethiopia received GAVI support for the nationwide implementation of HepBBD as part of the routine immunization schedule and recently celebrated the official launch of HepBBD scale-up on November 25, 2025. As a new vaccine given during a less established routine immunization visit (at birth), there may be challenges with achieving high coverage and ongoing technical support will be needed. In particular, the pilot study highlighted challenges with identifying and reaching infants born outside of health facilities for the timely delivery of HepBBD. With an estimated 51% of births in Ethiopia occurring at home/outside of health facilities, additional strategies may be needed to ensure that these infants are not missed by facility-based vaccine delivery efforts.

AFENET seeks a candidate for a full-time neonatal vaccine delivery consultant to support the Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) team at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) in a) the implementation of the scale up of HepBBD nationwide and b) the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to improve HepBBD coverage, particularly among infants born outside of health facilities.

In their work to support the EPI team with the implementation and management of national scale up of HepBBD, the incumbent will be expected to collaborate with the FMoH, Regional Health Bureaus, Zonal and Woreda Health Offices, as well other relevant stakeholders including other national, regional, and international partner agencies such as UNICEF, CDC and other immunization and maternal and child health partners in Ethiopia.

The position is full-time and will be hired by AFENET on behalf of the Global Immunization Division program at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The position will be located at the FMoH, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and will require travel across Ethiopia to provide regional or woreda level support, and to support and coordinate the evidence generation activity (exact sites to be determined). This is an outstanding opportunity to work with the FMoH EPI team. AFENET offers a competitive salary and attractive benefits package.

1. Post

Job title: Neonatal Vaccine Delivery Consultant

Number of vacancies: 1 (one)

Responsibilities and activities during the contract period

• Assist FMoH with nationwide implementation of the HepBBD introduction and scale-up through providing technical support for: a) service delivery integration between the EPI and maternal and child health (MCH) units, b) strengthening capacity of health extension workers including for referrals and data monitoring, c) supporting new vaccine post-introduction evaluation (PIE) and d) providing technical assistance for management systems (e.g. performance monitoring) as they relate to HepB vaccines. Communicate regularly with the Woreda, Regional and FMoH officials, CDC, and other stakeholders to clarify issues and provide progress updates.

• Provide technical support for the development and coordination of an evidence generation activity to identify, implement, and evaluate strategies to improve HepBBD coverage, particularly among infants born outside of health facilities. Assist FMoH with GAVI portfolio of activities in support of HepBBD introduction including the preparation of operational budgets for program implementation.
• Support any immunization related policy documents and strategic plans
• Provide capacity building and experience sharing to immunization program staff through trainings, supportive supervision and mentorship.
• Support the vaccine safety, AEFI Monitoring, and crisis management activities in collaboration with Ethiopian Food and Drug association/EFDA team
• Actively engage on the viral hepatitis prevention and control activities by being active member of the technical working group/TWG, advocate for birth dose using available platform and mobilize resources for smooth HepBBD introduction nationally
• Other activities as assigned by supervisor related to HepB-BD and other immunization program RMNCAH service activities.
• Monthly activity reports to AFENET with CDC and MoH copied, and regularly scheduled teleconference calls with AFENET and US CDC.

Required qualifications:

• The applicant should hold an MD, MBChB, Nursing, or primary Public Health degree along with a Master of Public Health or higher post-graduate degree
• At least 5 years of experience in routine immunization services and systems at the national level (MOH, Agencies, EPI partners)
• Fluency in the English and Amharic languages
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills and ability to collaborate with others on projects and investigations
• Experience designing and conducting research studies including protocol development, data collection, and analysis
• A track record in delivering on program objectives
• Experience managing complex multi-site projects and stakeholders
• Technical skills to conduct analyses, write reports, prepare briefings, and effectively present results in the English and Amharic languages
• Ability to think critically and analyze findings, as well as recognize emergent situations as they arise
• Ability to handle confidential information in a discreet and professional manner
• Ability to manage resources effectively to achieve program objectives.

Desired qualifications

• Experience with vaccine introductions at national or international levels
• Special training in Basic/Advanced Vaccinology courses
• Candidates with experience in field research or program evaluation are preferred.

How to Apply

Submit your resume, application letter, and relevant documentation to:
• The Administration & Human Resource Office
• African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)

Your Documents MUST be Submitted to:

• https://recruitment.afenet.net
  and a copy to: sec@afenet.net – REF: AFE\NVDC\30012026 (MUST Appear in Email Title for the position of Neonatal Vaccine Delivery Consultant)

*ONLY successful candidates shall be contacted for an interview.

Please note that all applications should be sent online by close of business 5:30 pm (EAT) Friday
February 13, 2026

Note: More details about this position can be obtained from our website: www.afenet.net.