Senior Manager, Alliance Coordination COVID-19

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership committed to saving children's lives and protecting people's health by increasing equitable use of vaccines in lower-income countries. The Vaccine Alliance brings together implementing country and donor governments, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. Gavi uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and adequate supply of quality vaccines. Since 2000, Gavi has contributed to the immunisation of more than 1 billion children and the prevention of more than 16.2 million future deaths.

Since 2020 Gavi and Alliance partners have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic through COVAX, a COVID-19 vaccine procurement and delivery mechanism. As the world emerges from the acute phase of the pandemic, COVAX is planned to sunset by the end of 2023. Gavi is designing and preparing to implement a COVID-19 (C19) vaccine programme in 2024 and 2025, with an operating model more consistent with other antigens.

THE ROLE

Please note this is a temporary role, until 31 December 2025.

As the world emerges from the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic; the GAVI’s Board approved in June 2023 the establishment of a COVID-19 (C19) vaccine programme in 2024 and 2025 with an operating model more consistent with GAVI core businesses and other antigens. Gavi is designing and preparing to implement the C19 vaccine programme in coordination and collaboration with Alliance partners for delivery of C19 programme priorities to maximise health impact by continuing to support COVID-19 vaccine delivery for high priority user groups per the SAGE roadmap; and to continue to support health system strengthening and integration of COVID-19 vaccination into routine immunisation (RI), primary health care (PHC), and other health care services. This role will support the smooth coordination and alignment of all the Alliance partners in the implementation of the C-19 programme in 2024/2025.

Key functions and deliverables:

• Lead the coordination and collaboration with Alliance partners for delivery of C19 programme priorities and for agreement on provision of technical assistance on a country-by-country basis, and support of evaluations/surveys in Gavi countries, leveraging the Partners Engagement Framework;
• Achievement of C19-related Gavi 5.1 strategic goals and performance indicators;
• Ensure that Gavi processes, policies, and strategies, such as application, reporting, and investment strategies, accommodate the specificities of the C19 programme;
• Coordination and collaboration across Gavi, UNICEF, WHO/PAHO and other relevant Alliance partners on areas of interdependency for the C19 programme.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead strategic discussions for the C19 programme with internal and external stakeholders to ensure achievement of Gavi 5.1 and programme strategic goals and objectives;
• Support C19 strategic initiatives working across all C19 programme partners;
• Lead the development of the C19-specific sections of the Vaccine Funding Guidelines, as well as contribute to any relevant sections of other Gavi guidelines (HSS, etc.);
• Contribute to the Full Portfolio Planning processes, including through coordination of Alliance Partners, to ensure all required C19 considerations are captured in the 5-year plan for each country;
• Support any grant renewal process for the C19 programme, in collaboration with the Vaccine Forecasting team;
• Serve as the Country Programme Delivery (CPD) team focal point with FD&R regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Support (CDS) funding;
• Lead C19 Programme governance meetings between Gavi, CEPI, WHO, and UNICEF counterparts:
o Identify key issues for decision, those with critical interdependencies across the three organisations; distill the key questions, conduct original analysis to assist problem solving and establish processes and roadmaps for resolution;
o Assist in the preparation of materials to aid in high-level decision making (incl. presentations, chair notes and minutes) for key meetings ensuring collection of inputs from different organisations / stakeholders.
• Take ownership and drive the development of analyses, facilitation of strategic working sessions, and development of strategic insights and recommendations, as part of the C19 related strategic initiative focus;
• Monitor and report on the status of Gavi C19 programme implementation post country-level approvals;
• Communicate ongoing/completed/to come C19 activities across relevant fora in Gavi and the Alliance;
• Work seamlessly across Gavi and the C19 partner organisations to effectively progress the programme objectives;
• Work in tandem and close collaboration with the C19 programme design and operationalisation lead in charge of the coordination of the C19 programme.

Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities; other duties may be assigned consistent with the department needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

ACADEMIC

• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Development, Business Administration, or related field is highly desired;
• Certification in project management is desirable.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 8 years in programme, project, or product management experience at global/regional/country level in healthcare sector (public or private) is necessary – vaccine specific experience is required;
• Public health or development-related experience ideally in both global/regional/country and developing countries settings;
• Familiarity with multilateral agencies and key public health donors, as well as vaccine manufacturers.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Solid knowledge of vaccines & infectious disease, and familiarity with the key public health stakeholders involved in vaccine procurement and delivery at global and/or local level;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organisation;
• Excellent project management skills;
• Extensive familiarity with global health and development;
• Outstanding analytical and writing skills;
• Strong leadership and management skills;
• Excellent representational and communications skills.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Excellent knowledge of French is highly desirable;
• Knowledge of languages of Gavi eligible countries is desirable (e.g., Spanish, Russian, Portuguese).

CONTACTS

• Gavi Secretariat;
• WHO;
• UNICEF;
• COVID-19 Initiative Partners
• Other implementation agencies;
• Donors;
• Vaccine Manufacturers;
• NGOs.