Immunization Expert within Humanitarian settings - Consultant

International Rescue Committee
United States, D.C., Washington
Jan 01, 2025
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people worldwide for a better future. Background of the project The IRC is seeking a consultant to support the development of evidence repository on approaches to enhancing immunization coverage and outcomes in fragile and conflict-affected settings. The work of the consultant will provide expert technical guidance on IRC's immunization programming through both integrated and vertical approaches across IRC countries, with a focus on improving service delivery in fragile and humanitarian contexts. The consultant will be responsible for providing technical guidance and expertise throughout the process, ensuring alignment with IRC's immunization priorities donor priorities, and impact metrics. The report will also inform IRC's strategic efforts to integrate immunization with other health services, improve scalability, and identify programming and funding opportunities, including collaboration with immunization partners. This consultancy will be highly collaborative and iterative, requiring the consultant to work closely with IRC teams to develop and refine the deliverables as new insights emerge. Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to provide evidence-based, practical recommendations are essential to the success of this consultancy. The final output must be aligned with IRC's requirements, and provide high quality information, evidence, data and technical guidance on questions agreed upon by IRC and the consultant. Scope of Work Evidence Review and Data Analysis Analyze existing IRC immunization data, program reports, and external research to identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities to enhance program delivery and scale. Conduct review of available evidence and data, generated through IRC or other partners, on key programmatic approaches to improve access and outcomes to childhood immunization programs in fragile and humanitarian settings. Work with IRC's technical unit, Best Use of Resources and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning teams to assess the availability, quality, and relevance of existing evidence and immunization data for population estimates and outcome and/or impact analysis. Under the leadership of IRC's Health Unit experts, engage closely with IRC technical teams, including health, nutrition, and MEL staff, to gather input, validate findings, and ensure the consultancy outputs reflect operational realities. Collaborate with IRC staff to translate complex internal and external evidence into clear, actionable insights. Technical Guidance on Immunization Programming Provide expert input on immunization strategies tailored to IRC's operational contexts, focusing on addressing challenges in fragile and conflict-affected areas. Recommend approaches to integrate immunization services within primary healthcare systems, including maternal and child health, nutrition, malaria, WASH and others, ensuring alignment with IRC's health strategies. Develop recommendations on innovative, evidence-based and cost-effective delivery mechanisms for immunization in hard-to-reach and underserved areas, leveraging IRC's existing platforms and partnerships. This can include mechanisms for targeting and target-setting, identification of zero dose and under-immunized children, demand generation, supply chain and cold chain management, facility and community delivery and other immunization enhancing approaches. Costing and Cost-effectiveness Work with IRC's costing, cost-effectiveness and immunization experts to provide input on analytical models and provide supplementary analytical support, where necessary. Deliverable Development Lead the development of evidence analysis, report and associated deliverables on options for IRC to strengthen and scale immunization programs/approaches in humanitarian, fragile and conflict-affected settings. Tailor the deliverables to support IRC leadership and donor engagements, highlighting programmatic priorities and opportunities for scale. Application Process Interested candidates are invited to submit the following: CV or resume highlighting relevant experience. A brief cover letter outlining how their expertise aligns with the requirements of this TOR. A writing sample of a report or proposal previously developed, preferably focused on immunization or health programs in humanitarian settings. Minimum Qualifications:Requirements Advanced degree (Master's or higher) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, or a related field. Minimum 10 years of experience in immunization program design, implementation, and evaluation, particularly in fragile or humanitarian settings. Demonstrated expertise in developing reports and deliverables for major donors, philanthropic organizations, or international funders, with a strong focus on health and immunization programs. In-depth understanding of global immunization policies, approaches, challenges, and innovations, particularly the integration of immunization with maternal and child health, nutrition, and primary healthcare in humanitarian contexts. Familiarity with or prior experience in cost estimation, cost-effectiveness analyses, and/or cost-efficiency analyses is an asset. Exceptional analytical, writing, and communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex technical information into clear and accessible language for diverse stakeholders, including non-specialists. Strong collaboration and teamwork skills, with the ability to effectively engage multidisciplinary teams across technical and field contexts. Experience working with large datasets, including assessing data quality, conducting in-depth analysis, and generating actionable insights. Demonstrated ability to work with incomplete or imperfect information, make sound estimates, and communicate findings with clear, transparent reasoning. Prior experience working on immunization in humanitarian settings is an asset. Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures. Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.