Call for Applicants is Now Open

The Overall Goal
The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) is working to strengthen routine immunization in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) as part of a key strategy for polio eradication. It is building a roster of experts at the regional level.

Why Create a Roster?
Great efforts are still needed to strengthen routine immunization in the EMR to provide safe, effective vaccines, and to reach the underserved in remote and deprived urban settings, displaced people and those located in war zones. Therefore, EMPHNET, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), propose building a roster of experts to strengthen routine EPI at the regional, sub-regional and national levels in the EMR.

This initiative will build the roster of experts from the pool of available EPI experts who have technical expertise in planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of immunization programs. A refresher training training will be conducted in relation to this goal.

What are the objectives of the training?
A refresher training workshop will be held to ensure that the participants are able :

• To monitor and strengthen the routine immunization system.
• To improve health staff immunization and management practices at all levels.
• To conduct EPI reviews and other assessments of their immunization programs.
• To understand methods of monitoring immunization coverage using administrative and survey data.
• To use assessment findings along with coverage and programmatic indicators to plan and ensure continuous improvement of the immunization program.
• To assist countries in the EMR in implementing the Polio Endgame Strategic Plan including IPV introduction, the withdrawal of OPV, and leveraging polio resources for RI.
• To understand progress in the region towards achieving objectives of the Global Vaccine Action Plan.

What is the Training About?
The course is designed to refresh and prepare participants for strengthening immunization system in their countries and for field deployments related to routine immunization and vaccine introduction.

The WHO immunization modules, guidelines   and some additional materials will be used in the training. The course contains presentations and hands-on training exercises. It will cover the below subjects:

• Global and regional EPI targets and progress including Global Vaccine Action Plan.
• Review of key components of the routine immunization system, micro planning, service delivery, VPD surveillance, communications and social mobilization, vaccine and logistics management and cold chain, data management and use, program management w/ supportive supervision.
• Conducting EPI reviews.
• Conducting and using information from assessments including Effective Vaccine Management and Data Quality Assessments.
• Estimating immunization coverage using surveys and administrative data.
• Polio endgame strategy, including using polio resources to strengthen EPI.
• Principles of new vaccine introduction.
• Identify and addressing human resource strengths and weaknesses.

What Will Happen After the Training?
Participants will be deployed to the field following the training. Field deployments are based on the request of Strengthening Routine Immunization Initiative Partners at the regional level. The specific assignments will be made as opportunities arise in the months following the workshop and will include activities such as participating in EPI activity reviews and assessment.   Duration of mission will generally be one to four weeks. Longer missions are possible and will be dealt with on case by case basis. Participants will be partnered with a more experienced colleague who can guide them and evaluate their performance in the field.

More Details about the Training
This course is a six-day training. A total of 40 participants will be selected through this open announcement on EMPHNET’s website. WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and EMPHNET experts will facilitate the course.

This training is planned to be conducted in Amman, Jordan. The tentative dates for the implementation of this course are between April 16 to 21, 2016. Please keep checking this announcement for updates.

Selection Criteria for Participation

• All participants selected to be on the roster of experts or to attend the training should satisfy the below criteria:
• Resident of a country in the EMR.
• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology or any related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in immunization programs (senior or mid-level).
• Good command of oral and written English.
• Able to travel and be deployed to other countries in the region upon request.

How to Apply
Applicants are required to complete the biodata form HERE and to submit it online after uploading their latest Curriculum Vitae. This form should be completed and submitted only once. Deadline for submission was extended for February 15, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Amman time. If you face any difficulty completing the form please contact mghoneim@emphnet.net or dyousef@emphnet.net. Please do NOT send your CV through email.

Good Luck!