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 981 million children and the prevention of more than 16 million future deaths.

THE ROLE

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

The Programme Manager for Diagnostics will report Senior Programme Manager for Diagnostics, Vaccine Programmes and will be responsible for collaboratively defining and delivering on the strategy, processes, and solutions for achievement of Gavi Alliance objectives related to diagnostic tool availability and testing capacity across four areas:

• Availability of validated commercial diagnostic test kits for diseases that can be prevented through targeted vaccination;
• Improvements in diagnostic testing capacity in countries eligible for Gavi new vaccine support;
• Sustainability of diagnostic testing capacity in countries eligible for Gavi new vaccine support;
• Use of diagnostic testing results to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of Gavi vaccine support programmes.

Key functions and deliverables:

• Coordinate Gavi Alliance efforts to make validated diagnostic tests available to countries eligible for Gavi new vaccine support in order to make targeted vaccine support programmes more effective, efficient, and equitable;
• Lead Gavi Alliance efforts to improve diagnostic testing capacity for diseases preventable through targeted vaccination and use of diagnostic testing results to guide vaccination programme decision making;
• Coordinate Gavi Alliance efforts to ensure the sustainability of improvement of diagnostic testing capacity in countries eligible for Gavi new vaccine support;
• Communicate Gavi Alliance diagnostic test capacity progress and challenges within Gavi Alliance and with external partners;
• Adapt Gavi Alliance diagnostic testing efforts to changing environment and opportunities.

• Develop, refine, and implement Gavi Alliance strategies on improving the availability and use of diagnostic tests to make vaccine support programmes more effective, efficient, and equitable;
• Support development and dissemination of guidance for use of diagnostic tests in support of immunisation programmes, provision of multi-country technical assistance on use of diagnostic tests in support of immunisation programmes, diagnostic testing quality assurance, and evaluation of diagnostic tests, working closely with Gavi Alliance partners such as the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics as well as other Gavi secretariat teams;
• Develop and implement Gavi diagnostic procurement funding support windows, including development and dissemination of application forms and guidance, review and approval of country applications, and provision of procurement funding support, working closely with Gavi Alliance partners as well as other Gavi secretariat teams;
• Working closely with Gavi Alliance partners and Gavi secretariat teams, support efforts to ensure that Gavi vaccine application guidance and processes incorporate the potential improved efficiency, effectiveness, and equity from improved availability of diagnostic tests;
• Work with countries, Gavi Alliance partners and Gavi Secretariat teams to ensure improved diagnostic tests are integrated into health systems and used appropriately; to monitor the progress and impact of Gavi diagnostic procurement support; to ensure that improvements in country diagnostic testing capacity are sustainable, including through gradual transitions to countries of financial responsibility for test procurement; and to support efforts to address challenges and course correct as needed;
• Initiate and manage contracts with external organisations to address gaps in knowledge or capacity affecting implementation of Gavi Alliance diagnostic testing efforts;
• Provide programme specific briefings to internal and external stakeholders as needed;
• Contribute to development of Gavi governance and strategic positioning papers, team presentations, senior management briefing notes, etc., as needed;
• Support learning and continuous improvement of the Alliance’s approach to enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of immunisation programmes.

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

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience related to the design and implementation of global health immunisation or diagnostic testing programmes of varying complexity is required;
• Proven experience working in diverse, multi-partner environments is highly preferred;
• Experience working at both global and/or regional level and in developing countries is preferred;
• Experience working in the context of multiparty coalitions addressing health, development or humanitarian problems is ideal;
• Demonstrable work experience of successful management of situations of considerable complexity and/or political sensitivity is ideal;
• Understanding of diagnostic product development, marketing, and use would be advantageous.

• Excellent project management skills;
• Extensive familiarity with global health and development;
• Solid knowledge of global health and development in general and specifically vaccines, infectious disease, and diagnostic tests;
• Outstanding analytical and writing skills;
• Strong leadership and management skills;
• Excellent representational and communications skills;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organisation.

• Written and spoken fluency in English;
• Other UN languages highly desirable, particularly French.

• Advanced university degree in epidemiology, public health, health economics, social sciences, international development, or related fields is highly preferred.

• All Gavi Secretariat teams;
• WHO;
• UNICEF;
• Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics;
• Technical and scientific agencies and academic institutions;
• Implementing country governments ;
• Diagnostic test manufacturers ;
• Civil Society Organisations;
• Gavi donors.

If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on “Programme Manager, Diagnostics (2-year temporary position)”. Deadline for applications is 19th September 2023.

Please note that as a vaccine organisation and in order to provide duty of care towards its employees, Gavi is requiring its new employees to confirm that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition for pursuing employment with us. You can find out more by visiting this link.

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In support of Gavi’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, we hire globally and welcome applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, family status, sex, gender identity or expression, physical characteristics, race, religion, spirituality or sexual orientation. Gavi has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse as well as any form of discrimination or harassment. Everyone at Gavi is expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect towards each other. Gavi is committed to creating a work environment that is safe and professional, therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference checks. Read more here.

Gavi brings together the public and private sectors to save lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines against 18 infectious diseases. You will be joining an organisation at the centre of the international COVID-19 response, at the most critical time in global health in a lifetime. You will work in a culturally diverse environment with over 70 nationalities. You will collaborate with partners such as WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank – and from business, civil society and government. And you will work in the first global health organisation to receive equal gender salary certification. Your unique experience, skills and talents can help us achieve our vision of leaving no one behind without the life-saving power of vaccines.