EPI Officer

Job Description

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview:  

Major Responsibilities:

• Strengthen immunization services in targeted woredas to improve routine and outreach immunization coverage and support polio eradication efforts.
• Plan and implement outreach immunization sessions in collaboration with health facilities and woreda health offices.
• Identify and address logistical gaps, including maintenance of cold chain equipment (e.g., refrigerators) and transport (e.g., motorbikes).
• Train HEWs and health workers on immunization practices and ensure integration of polio activities into woreda micro plans
• Support Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) and ensure alignment with national and regional strategies.
• Coordinate with government health offices, NGOs, and UN agencies to strengthen partnerships and share information.
• Mainstream immunization efforts through engagement with religious and community structures.
• Establish and oversee community-based surveillance systems for vaccine-preventable and priority zoonotic diseases.
• Train Community Volunteers (CVs) on AFP, Measles, and NNT surveillance, and conduct quarterly review meetings with them.
• Strengthen linkages between CVs and Health Extension Workers (HEWs) to enhance community-level disease detection and reporting.
• Lead community sensitization efforts on routine immunization and distribute IEC materials to support mobilization.
• Conduct regular health facility assessments and joint supportive supervision with government staff to improve immunization coverage and active case detection.
• Provide technical supervision and capacity building for CVs, HEWs, and health workers, including training on immunization practices.
• Identify and facilitate maintenance of cold chain equipment (e.g., refrigerators) and transport (e.g., motorbikes).
• Improve documentation, reporting, and utilization of immunization and surveillance data.
• Submit timely reports to donors and government stakeholders on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual basis.
• Provide weekly programmatic updates to the Senior Health Officer and ensure regular submission of client feedback to the MEAL department.
• Support budget monitoring and prepare activity, spending, and procurement plans.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of integrated project strategies in coordination with other IRC projects.
• Provide technical support across IRC’s health project areas in the four woredas of Nuer Zone (Jikow, Makuey, Wanthoa, and Lare).

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC Health and Nutrition Department
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

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Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a diploma, 2 years with a bachelor’s degree, or 1 year with a postgraduate degree in a related health field.

• Proven experience in immunization programs and Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM), particularly in NGO settings, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and supervise the implementation of community-based surveillance projects targeting vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., AFP, Measles, NNT) and prioritized zoonotic diseases (e.g., Anthrax, Brucellosis, Rabies).
• At least 2 years of experience managing Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and disease surveillance/PHEM programs in Ethiopia.
• Strong project management, organizational, and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a cross-functional, multicultural team.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including government and community actors.
• Adaptable and proactive in managing change with a positive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Self-motivated, honest, responsible, punctual, and capable of addressing performance gaps constructively.

•  Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of the local language is advantageous.

Disclaimer: – Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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