Consultant, COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring
Company Overview:
About Palladium – Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.
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Project Overview and Role:
Data for
Implementation (Data.FI) is a five-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) that helps countries strengthen and sustain access to
mission-critical, high-quality data to accelerate HIV and COVID-19 epidemic
control. The project provides end-to-end solutions from
streamlining information needs to building scalable data systems, and supports
global monitoring, evaluation and learning through the development of global
guidance, indicators, tools and research.
Data.FI has
recently begun a project to assess the
current practices and system for recording, reporting, sharing, and using data
on adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) for COVID-19 vaccines. The activity will showcase the approaches,
challenges, and implementation strategies of COVID-19 vaccine safety
surveillance systems in El Salvador. The consultant will lead communication
with in-country stakeholders, lead quantitative and qualitative data collection
efforts on vaccine safety monitoring, assist in negotiations on data sharing,
and support the revision and adaptation of technical documents.
Primary Responsibilities:
Data.FI is seeking a consultant to support the review of data
practices related to vaccine safety surveillance systems in El Salvador. The
expected duration of support is 6 months. The position is based in El Salvador. The consultant(s) will perform the
responsibilities listed below with oversight and direction from the US-based
Technical Advisors and Activity Managers. Responsibilities will include but not
be limited to the following:
- Lead communication with in-country stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministerio de Salud Pública (MINSAL), Expanded Programme on Immunization, National Regulatory Authorities, PAHO and donor partner representatives involved in safety monitoring
- Advise on adaptation of assessment tools to ensure they fit the local context
- Support the development and approval of data sharing agreements
- Develop solutions for anticipated and unanticipated challenges with data access
- Map the data flow and data reporting processes for COVID-19 safety data
- Lead the collection of quantitative and qualitative data for the COVID-19 AEFI data assessment.This may include field work to carry out data validation exercises and conducting in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders, including representatives from national regulatory authorities and the national immunization program
- Document interviews with detailed notes and synthesis of themes across interviews
- Contribute to data analysis, including creating summaries and visualizations of data
- Review and provide input on assessment findings and final reports, including recommendations to address identified weaknesses in COVID-19 AEFI data systems and processes
Required Experience:
- Advanced university degree in Public Health or a related field
- Demonstrated knowledge of vaccine program delivery in El Salvador, with at least 5 years of professional experience working for or with the health system, knowledge and expertise in vaccines, and working with the public sector highly desired
- Demonstrated knowledge of safety monitoring and/or mechanisms for reporting AEFIs in El Salvador
- Proven ability to engage and work with MOH officials, USAID, PAHO, other donors, and implementing partners
- Demonstrated experience conducting rigorous quantitative and qualitative data quality and verification assessments, including experience conducting systems assessments and key informant interviews
- High-level fluency in both Spanish and English
- Experience working on donor-funded projects preferable
Skills and Abilities:
- Clear and effective written and oral communication skills, including experience with key informant interviews
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with diverse stakeholders (written and oral)
- Detail-oriented and deadline-driven with strong organizational skills and the ability to perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities often within a limited timeframe
- Highly self-motivated and able to work independently as well as in team settings
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a fast-moving and multicultural team
More Information
- $ Salary Offer POA
