Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview/Summary: 

The EPI Officer, under the direct supervision of the Health and Nutrition Manager based in Assosa, holds a junior management position focused on planning, managing, monitoring, and evaluating immunization and Community-Based Disease Surveillance activities within the health programs of at Kamashi and Demb woredas. The Officer will be stationed in Kamashi town, supporting Kamashi and Demb woredas, and will frequently travel to health posts and health centers. The role involves planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating program activities in collaboration with the Woreda Health Office with the guidance from Assosa based senior health officer and Health and nutrition manager. The position requires working closely with the two woreda health and agricultural offices. Also required to work closely with EPI, PHEM officer, health extension workers supervisor, health extension workers, community volunteer under health and closely working with woreda animal health expertise, Kebele level animal health technicians.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Oversee health programs in assigned woredas, focusing on routine immunization, cold chain management, and Community-Based Disease Surveillance at both facility and community levels.

• Implement BCC strategies, including developing and reprinting IEC/BCC materials.

• Organize and coordinate workshops and training sessions on cold chain management, immunization practices, community-based surveillance and data management within the intervention woredas.

• Facilitate quarterly review meetings with health and agriculture sectors.

• Conduct monthly woreda-based One Health Task Force (OHTF) meetings.

• Facilitate integrated supportive supervision (ISS) with regional, zonal, and woreda program experts on a quarterly basis.

• Conduct self-assessments of all health facilities in the woreda quarterly, providing technical support for Community-Based Disease Surveillance and immunization programs.

• Regularly collect and compile project data, including case studies, success stories, and photographs, for submission to the Health Program Manager.

• Ensure data quality through proper entry, cleaning, and validation for immediate site-based action.

• Facilitate coordination meetings, advocacy initiatives, and awareness-raising sessions with health extension workers and supervisors.

• Represent IRC in woreda-level coordination meetings, workshops, and task force discussions.

• Maintain comprehensive records of health program activities in soft and hard copies, ensuring timely activity report submission to health and nutrition manager.

• Analyze monthly and quarterly reports from Waida health officers to ensure data quality and proper data presentation for decision-making.

• Provide technical assistance to government staff for quality program implementation, including HEWs, health post nurses, health center EPI personnel, cold chain and PHEM focal persons, and WoHO program officers.

• Support Woreda Health and Agriculture offices in community engagement activities.

• Ensure health programs align with protocols, policies, guidelines, and donor requirements.

• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and final health program reports for submission to the Addis Technical Unit via the Health and Nutrition Managers

• Undertake any additional tasks assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Grants Management 

• Regularly follow the status of indicators and take correction measure for the deviance from the target

• Implement the project activities as per the workplan Prepare.

• Check the status of the approved IR line in line with procurement and workplan. 

• Responsible for revision and updating of activity, spending, and procurement plans for the active grant. 

• Control the proper use of materials procured under GA323 grants before or within the grant period to avoid old grant depositions. 

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Collaborate with the Health and Nutrition Manager to monitor and evaluate program activities.

• Ensure monthly and quarterly indicators are achieved as per the plan.

• Update the indicator tracking tool monthly in coordination with the Assosa MEAL team.

• Work closely with the MEAL field office team to collect client feedback.

• Develop and implement response mechanisms to address feedback effectively.

• Participate in supportive supervision, quarterly monitoring visits, and annual monitoring visits conducted in the woreda.

• Share visit findings with the Health and Nutrition Manager.

• Actively engage in mid-term and final evaluations in the intervention woredas.

• This ensures proper tracking, accountability, and continuous improvement in program performance and donor compliance.

Human Resource Management 

• Prepare and submitted time sheet in every month timely.

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promote a strong team spirit, and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to be efficient in their positions. 

• Site with health and nutrition manager and develop key performance objective Key Working Relationships:

• Take mandatory online training courses in consultation with the HR team.

Internal 

• Work closely with senior health officers, other woreda EPI officers 

• Work closely with the support department and other program departments. 

External 

• Work closely with the woredas health and agriculture office, health center and health post staff and zonal health department, and other implementing partners. 

• Actively participate in health coordination meetings and other relevant meetings facilitated by implementing partners at the woreda and zonal level. 

Safeguarding Responsibilities: - 

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]

• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Job Requirements

Educational Requirements:

• BSC/MPH, health officer and Nurse, with direct experience in immunization and surveillance.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• At least 2 years of confirmed experience for bachelor’s degree; or master’s degree with at least 1 year of relevant experience or 5 years of relevant experience for diploma holders.

• A minimum of 1 year of direct experience leading or supervising an EPI/Surveillance project is mandatory.

• Has Knowledge of EPI and community-based disease surveillance.

• Experience in coordinating and facilitating workshops, meetings, and training.

• Excellent coordination and representation skills with different partners. 

• Excellent technical and report writing skills and MS offices (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, and words). 

• Ability to work under pressure and travel frequently to project sites. 

• Excellent analysis and problem-solving skills. 

• Knowledge of Kamashi context and working in the area is an advantage.

Language Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication and fluent spoken and written English. Additionally knowledge of local language (Gumuze) is advantageous

• Certificate on immunization in practice and PHEM (public health emergency management) training 

• Motorcycle driving license- Mandatory

Certificate and License

• Certificate on immunization in practice and PHEM (public health emergency management) training 

• Motorcycle driving license- Mandatory

How to Apply:

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the IRC On-line recruitment website: using THIS LINK

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for 

• Date of application 

• Summary of your qualifications and experience 

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address 

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

Disclaimer: - Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. 

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients. 

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons. 

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.