Senior Programme Officer, Health

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian network, is seeking a Senior Programme Officer, Health to provide technical leadership and programme management support in Pakistan. This role focuses on strengthening equitable access to immunization services, particularly targeting hard-to-reach, underserved, and emergency-affected communities. The incumbent will collaborate closely with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), government health departments, UNICEF, WHO, Gavi partners, and other stakeholders to design, implement, monitor, and scale evidence-based immunization interventions. The position emphasizes reaching zero-dose and under-immunized populations through community engagement, social and behaviour change approaches, outreach services, and health systems strengthening, ensuring alignment with national immunization strategies and international standards.

Key Responsibilities

- Assist in designing and implementing capacity-building activities for PRCS health staff, ensuring alignment with PRCS long-term health goals and agreed frameworks.
- Support proposal development and budgeting with a focus on health systems strengthening and National Society capacity development for primary and community health services.
- Conduct joint technical monitoring and reviews with PRCS to identify good practices, operational challenges, and capacity gaps.
- Support planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of epidemic and disease outbreak initiatives.
- Assess technical needs in collaboration with PRCS field staff and organize field monitoring, supervision, and evaluation missions as required.
- Coordinate health programme activities with PRCS national headquarters and contribute to contingency planning for emergency responses.
- Develop and implement phased strategies for expanding routine immunization into priority districts, based on data analysis and operational feasibility.
- Lead the technical development of scalable multi-year routine immunization and community health programmes adaptable to various contexts.
- Monitor outreach and mobile vaccination activities, strengthening PRCS branch capacities for routine immunization, supplemental immunization activities, and outbreak response campaigns.
- Promote integration of immunization with broader community health, nutrition, epidemic preparedness, and WASH interventions.
- Support community engagement and social mobilization strategies to generate demand for immunization, addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
- Strengthen volunteer networks and community structures, develop culturally appropriate behaviour change communication approaches, and build capacities in social listening and risk communication.
- Monitor programme performance through data review, field visits, and supportive supervision; analyze coverage and dropout indicators to guide interventions.
- Support data collection, reporting, and utilization for decision-making, including remote monitoring in hard-to-reach or insecure areas using digital tools and third-party verification.
- Document innovations, lessons learned, and best practices; prepare and present programme progress reports to donors and stakeholders.
- Represent IFRC in national and provincial immunization coordination platforms and maintain collaboration with government, UN agencies, donors, and partners.
- Support programme development, budget monitoring, compliance with donor requirements, and contribute technical inputs to emergency appeals and funding proposals.
- Ensure timely submission of narrative and financial reports and maintain high-quality programme documentation.

Required Qualifications

- Medical degree (M.B.B.S / M.D) and a Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Care Systems Management, Community Health, or a related field.
- Minimum 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in public health programmes.
- At least 3 years of direct experience in immunization, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), vaccine-preventable diseases, or community health programmes.
- Proven experience liaising with government immunization programmes, UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, or civil society partners.
- Strong programme development and management skills, including budget planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
- Excellent communication skills with high proficiency in written and spoken English.
- Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Office and virtual collaboration tools.
- Ability to work independently, facilitate training, and travel extensively within Pakistan, including to remote areas.
- Fluency in English; knowledge of Urdu is an asset.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

- Experience in community-based participatory approaches, programme planning, budget management, and proposal writing.
- Previous experience with Red Cross or Red Crescent societies is highly desirable.

The IFRC is committed to diversity, integrity, professionalism, accountability, and collaboration. The successful candidate will demonstrate respect for diversity, uphold the Movement’s fundamental principles, and contribute to building trust and innovation within the organization. This role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on immunization and community health outcomes in vulnerable populations across Pakistan.