SAVE THE CHILDREN
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
ROLE PROFILE
TITLE: Public Health Officer / Epidemiologist - Syria Response
TEAM/PROGRAMME:
Syria Response / Health Programme
GRADE: TBC
LOCATION:
Antakya, Turkey
CONTRACT LENGTH:
10 months
CHILD SAFEGUARDING:
Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a
week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in
country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the
police checking/vetting process staff.
ROLE PURPOSE:
To provide technical oversight and guidance to the immunization unit in line with Country Strategy and
programme objectives. Identify emerging trends in vaccine preventable diseases in target areas and
propose remedial health interventions.
The role holder will generate epidemiological evidence to form the basis for improving children’s access to
vaccines and vaccination coverage in programme areas. Inform programme design for phase 2 based on
evidence generated during first phase of the project
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Health Project Manager
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
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Initiate a data review of all information pertaining to vaccination coverage for Syria (and regional) in
order to inform vaccination strategy for Northern Syria including target age groups, priority locations,
catch up strategies etc
Clearly articulate risks and opportunities of vaccine strategy
Gain a spatial understanding of need for Expanded Programme Immunization
Lead on post polio vaccine survey using epidemiological methods, taking into account challenges of
environment
Lead on lessons learned and review of polio campaigns to inform future vaccine strategy
Lead on micro-planning for vaccine campaigns and routine vaccinations.
develop methodologies, and procedures for collecting, analyzing, interpreting and presenting data
and findings
Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning team for information
sharing across all Save the Children thematic areas
Work closely with Save the Children International staff, local partners on building capacity of future
health staff to ensure vaccine strategy, risks and opportunities are well understood.
Share and apply new technical knowledge to improve Save the Children vaccination programming
Collate and Interpret field data to inform Save the Children vaccination programme
Contribute to advocacy around vaccination challenges in target areas and their solutions, in line with
advocacy protocols
Provide continual scientific evidence for priority programming parameters e.g. antigens, target
populations and geographical areas
Liaise with other key health actors on technical aspects of vaccination programming and represent
SC at technical working groups
Monitor vaccination coverage and contribute to developing scientifically sound strategies for
enhancing immunization coverage
Provide basis for developing contextually relevant Information Education and Communication and
Behaviour Change Communication materials and inform appropriate dissemination methods
General
 Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child safeguarding, code of
conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
APRIL2014
SAVE THE CHILDREN
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
ROLE PROFILE
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (SCI Values in Practice)
Accountability:
 holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role
modelling Save the Children values
 holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the
freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve
performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
 sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their
own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
 widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
 future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
 builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external
partners and supporters
 values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
 approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
 develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
 willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
 honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
 Masters’ Degree in Public Health and/or Epidemiology
 Public health expert with over 10 years of experience
 Previous experience of developing vaccine response strategies in humanitarian and complex
settings
 Able to train staff in immunization technical areas
 Experience of senior level representation
 Experience of developing and negotiating successful partnerships
 Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
 Excellent communication skills
 Proven ability to influence change at an operational and strategic level.
 Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
 A high level of written and spoken English
 The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes
insecure working circumstances.
Desirable
 Language skills in Arabic
 Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts
 Specific experience of designing DFID, ECHO, OFDA and other major donor projects
Date of issue: April 2014
APRIL2014
Author: A.B / R.C