Position: District Coordinator (2 positions)

Location: Kapiri-Mposhi and Kabwe Districts

Reports to: Gender and Health Program Officer, Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ)

Duration: 1 Year

Start Date: 7th October 2024

Background

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) is implementing a Child Immunization Project aimed at increasing immunization coverage by generating demand for services and coordinating the efforts of Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs) to trace zero-dose and under-immunized children. The project will focus on Kapiri-Mposhi and Kabwe districts, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, local community leaders, and other key stakeholders.

Purpose of the Position

The District Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of project activities at the district level, with a focus on:

• Generating demand for child immunization services.
• Coordinating the efforts of CBVs to trace zero-dose and under-immunized children.
• Strengthening partnerships with local health authorities, community leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of immunization services.

Key Responsibilities

1. Coordination of Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs)

•  Recruit, train, and supervise CBVs to conduct household tracing of zero-dose and under-immunized children.
• Ensure that CBVs are adequately equipped with necessary materials and support to perform their tasks.
• Monitor and report on CBVs’ performance and the progress of their activities.

2. Demand Generation Activities

• Develop and implement strategies to raise awareness and generate demand for child immunization within target communities.
• Collaborate with local health facilities, Ministry of Health (MoH) officials, and community leaders to organize immunization outreach activities.
• Facilitate community meetings, sensitization campaigns, and media outreach to promote immunization uptake.

3. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between the project, MoH officials, local leaders, and other relevant stakeholders in the district.
• Work closely with health facilities to ensure a timely and accurate supply of vaccines to targeted communities.
• Organize regular coordination meetings with MoH and other partners to assess progress and address challenges.

4. Data Collection and Reporting

•  Ensure accurate and timely data collection on immunization coverage and the identification of zero-dose and under-immunized children.
• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the Project Manager and other relevant stakeholders.
• Use data to inform decision-making and adjust project strategies as necessary.

5. Capacity Building

•  Provide ongoing capacity building to CBVs and other community actors to improve their knowledge and skills in immunization-related activities.
• Facilitate orientation sessions for CBVs on the importance of immunization, data collection, and community engagement.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitor the progress of project activities in line with the project’s goals and objectives.
• Participate in evaluation and learning activities to assess the impact of demand generation activities and CBV coordination.
• Make recommendations for adjustments to the project based on monitoring results.

Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma in Public Health, Community Development, Social Work, or a related field. A Bachelors Degree will be an added advantage.
• At least 3 years of experience in community health projects, with a focus on immunization, maternal and child health, or demand generation.
• Experience in working with CBVs and community structures.
• Strong knowledge of the Zambian health system and child immunization services.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic data collection tools.

Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the local languages spoken in Kapiri-Mposhi and Kabwe is an added advantage.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• High level of integrity and commitment to project goals.