We are seeking to appoint a full-time Research coordinator to be based in Harar, to support RSV MIRNA. The maternal immunization study is implemented at Hararghe Health Research Partnership through a collaboration of Haramaya University, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The post-holder will act as a liaison, facilitating coordination and alignment between the RSV MIRNA project team and the RSV Working Group to ensure seamless collaboration and information sharing.
Haramaya University is one of the oldest Universities in Ethiopia, with its first intake in 1954. It is about 17km from the city of Harar, 40km from Dire Dawa (where there is a regional airport), and 510km East of Addis Ababa. The College of Health and Medical Sciences is based on a campus in Harar town to facilitate training of students in nearby hospitals. This campus also hosts the office of the two Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS).
Haramaya University has formed a research collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Current research projects are focused on maternal and child health. Haramaya University and LSHTM have established Hararghe Health Research partnership in 2018 as a platform to support the delivery of high quality internationally recognised research. Underpinning the creation of HHR was the Child Health and
Mortality Surveillance (CHAMPS) project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)over an anticipated 20-year time horizon. The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance network (CHAMPS, http://champshealth.org/) is a global health surveillance network aimed at understanding the causes of child death in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The RSV MIRNA project is an extension of the Maternal Immunization (MI) project, which will be launched in November 2025. The MI project aims to identify, characterize, and support delivery platforms, policy, and preparedness for the introduction of new maternal vaccines in Ethiopia, while generating evidence on the burden of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), assessing the existing health system and community vaccine demand, and analysing the cost-effectiveness of these vaccines.
The post-holder will be responsible for working closely with HHR and research staffs to support and facilitate different activities of the RSV MIRNA project in the HHR sites mainly based in Harar.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
The post-holder will lead and coordinate collaboration between the MIRNA project team and the RSV Working Group to ensure effective alignment and integration of activities. He/she will collate and synthesize evidence from MIRNA deliverables and other national and subnational data, and support evidence-based policy and the introduction of the maternal RSV vaccine by preparing policy briefs and slide decks, engaging relevant stakeholders, working closely with the MoH, MoF, and the EPI and MNCH programs, developing monitoring tools, conducting broader benefits studies, and contributing to the development of MIRNA toolkits and communication materials.
Key Responsibilities
1. Track deliverables of each of the work packages of MIRNA, Situational Analysis, Health Economics, Burden of Disease, Vaccine Demand and Stakeholder Engagement and Communications and providing critical feedback
2. Monitor and engage with activities of the Federal Ministry of Health’s Immunization Desk to ensure our work remains aligned with national immunization priorities. - This includes identifying and participating in relevant forums, meetings, or initiatives where our inputs can be integrated, and ensuring mutual reinforcement between their agenda and our project objectives.
3. Map and engage with relevant stakeholders on a routine basis sending reminders and updates when necessary.
4. Attend relevant virtual MIRNA consortium Meetings.
5. Synthesize and translate evidence on RSV disease burden, vaccine effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness from MIRNA deliverables into policy briefs, presentations, and other communication materials.
6. Coordinate and facilitate collaboration between the MIRNA project team and the RSV Working Group through regular meetings and effective information sharing.
7. Track and monitor MIRNA project tasks and deliverables to ensure timely progress and alignment with objectives as well as provide feedback to contents.
8. Summarize, contextualize, and communicate SAGE recommendations to national and regional stakeholders to strengthen confidence in evidence-based policymaking.
9. Summarize country immunization portfolio prioritization and optimization activities.
10. Support prioritization activities by providing up-to-date evidence on RSV burden and the expected impact of introducing the maternal RSV vaccine.
11. Map out the expertise and background of NITAG members.
12. Advocate for the inclusion of maternal health expertise within NITAGs and other technical advisory bodies, where gaps exist.
13. Systematically disseminate evidence on RSV burden and vaccine impact with key stakeholders
14. Engage professional societies at regional and national levels to raise awareness and understanding of RSV disease and interventions
15. Collaborate with civil society, media, religious, and community leaders to raise public awareness about RSV disease.
16. Provide technical support for the development and submission of the Gavi support application for the maternal RSV vaccine.
17. Provide technical assistance to the MoH, MoF, EPI, and MNCH programs in developing national and subnational RSV vaccine rollout and implementation plans.
18. Conduct Broader Benefits Studies using country-level data to assess the benefits and potential challenges of incorporating any maternal vaccines into ANC programs.
19. Co-create a strategic communications plan to effectively raise awareness of existing and new MI programs (e.g., RSV, GBS), including slide decks, briefs, and FAQs for key audiences such as professional societies and NITAGs.
This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may be altered at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is full consultation with the post-holder. The post-holder will carry out any other duties, tasks or responsibilities as reasonably requested by the line manager.
Job Requirements
Essential requirements
1. Medical Doctorate degree with MSc/MPH in Epidemiology, Public Health, project management or related fields with at least 2 years of experience.
2. Or Master of Public Health with at least 4 years previous experience in EPI program.
3. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience in delivering presentations and facilitating workshops
4. Extensive experience building relationships with communities towards a goal of ownership and participation in the immunization program.
5. Experience in qualitative data collection and analysis of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.
6. Some experience in quantitative research, data analysis an interpretation in health research projects
7. Evidence of excellent oral and written communications skills in English.
8. Experience in evidence synthesis, policy brief preparation, or health policy advisory.
9. Very good communication in English
Desired requirements
1. Possess strong written and oral communication in Afan Oromo and Amharic
2. Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder projects or collaborating with national health programs, maternal, or immunization/EPI initiatives.
3. Good working relations with different regional and national governmental and non-governmental organizations.
How To Apply
Place of Application
Haramaya University, Human Resources and Development Directorate, Administrative Building, Office Number 114.
College of Health and Medical Sciences, CHAMPS office SGS building, Harar Campus
Email: - HHRjobs@hararghe.org
Deadline for Application
Within 10 (ten) Working days after the announcement of this vacancy.
