Vaccinator

2. Purpose of the Position

The Vaccinator will provide routine and outreach immunization services at the assigned project-supported health facility in Kunar Province, in accordance with Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) policies, the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS), the national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), and approved vaccination protocols.

The position is responsible for administering vaccines safely to eligible children and other target groups, maintaining the vaccine cold chain, ensuring accurate immunization documentation, monitoring vaccine stocks, and conducting community awareness activities on vaccine-preventable diseases. The Vaccinator will work closely with the Medical Doctor, Midwives, nurses, community health workers, and other relevant health personnel to improve immunization coverage and reduce preventable illness and deaths.

3. Key Responsibilities

3.1. Routine Immunization Services

• Provide routine immunization services to eligible children and other target groups in accordance with the national EPI schedule and approved MoPH guidelines.
• Verify vaccination eligibility, age, vaccination history, and relevant contraindications before administering vaccines.
• Administer vaccines using approved techniques, doses, routes, and schedules, within the Vaccinator's authorized scope of practice.
• Explain the benefits of vaccination and provide relevant information to parents and caregivers before and after immunization.
• Ensure that each eligible child receives the appropriate vaccine doses according to the national immunization schedule.
• Identify children who have missed scheduled doses and encourage caregivers to bring them for vaccination.
• Support follow-up and completion of vaccination schedules for children who have received partial immunization.
• Ensure that immunization services are provided respectfully, safely, and without discrimination.
• Coordinate with other health facility personnel to identify eligible children during consultations and other service contacts.

3.2. Outreach Immunization Activities

• Participate in planned outreach and mobile immunization activities in assigned communities, according to approved project plans and MoPH guidance.
• Coordinate outreach schedules with the designated supervisor, community health workers, and community representatives.
• Identify and mobilize eligible children and target populations in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
• Prepare required vaccines, supplies, equipment, and documentation before conducting outreach sessions.
• Maintain appropriate vaccine temperature and handling conditions during transportation and outreach activities.
• Administer vaccines safely during outreach sessions and document all doses provided.
• Identify children who have missed routine vaccinations and support appropriate follow-up.
• Report outreach activity results, challenges, missed opportunities, and coverage gaps to the designated supervisor.
• Ensure that outreach services follow approved security, infection prevention, and operational procedures.

3.3. Vaccine Cold Chain Management

• Maintain the vaccine cold chain in accordance with national EPI standards and approved procedures.
• Ensure that vaccines are stored at the required temperatures using approved cold-chain equipment.
• Monitor and record refrigerator and vaccine carrier temperatures at the required intervals.
• Use temperature-monitoring devices correctly and report any temperature deviations immediately.
• Ensure that vaccines are transported in appropriate vaccine carriers with properly conditioned ice packs.
• Protect vaccines from direct sunlight, excessive heat, freezing, and other conditions that may compromise their quality.
• Follow procedures for vaccine storage, handling, expiry monitoring, and stock rotation.
• Take appropriate action and immediately inform the supervisor when cold-chain failures or temperature excursions occur.
• Maintain cold-chain temperature records and other required documentation.
• Ensure that vaccines exposed to inappropriate temperatures are not used until assessed and cleared in accordance with national EPI procedures.

3.4. Vaccine and Immunization Supply Management

• Monitor the availability of vaccines, diluents, syringes, safety boxes, and other immunization supplies.
• Maintain accurate records of vaccines received, issued, administered, returned, wasted, or otherwise disposed of.
• Check vaccine expiry dates and ensure that stock is managed using approved stock-rotation procedures.
• Inform the designated supervisor promptly about low stock levels, potential shortages, expired vaccines, or damaged supplies.
• Follow approved procedures for vaccine requisition, receipt, storage, and distribution.
• Ensure that vaccine stock records are updated and reconciled regularly.
• Use vaccines and immunization supplies responsibly and minimize avoidable wastage.
• Support routine inventory checks and stock verification activities.

3.5. Safe Vaccine Administration and Infection Prevention

• Follow approved national vaccination protocols and safe injection practices.
• Maintain hand hygiene and use appropriate personal protective equipment when required.
• Use the correct vaccine, dose, route, site, and administration technique.
• Check vaccine labels, expiry dates, and vial conditions before use.
• Use sterile, single-use injection equipment as required by national guidelines.
• Never reuse disposable syringes or needles.
• Dispose of used needles, syringes, and other sharps immediately in approved safety boxes.
• Ensure proper segregation and disposal of healthcare waste in accordance with infection prevention and control procedures.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized immunization area.
• Report any unsafe practice, needle-stick injury, or infection-control incident through established facility procedures.

3.6. Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI)

• Observe and follow approved procedures for identifying and responding to adverse events following immunization.
• Inform parents and caregivers about common post-vaccination reactions and when to seek medical assistance.
• Recognize and promptly report suspected AEFI to the Medical Doctor or designated supervisor.
• Provide immediate assistance within the Vaccinator's training and authorized scope of practice while arranging clinical assessment where required.
• Ensure timely referral of patients experiencing serious or unexpected reactions.
• Complete the required AEFI documentation and reporting forms accurately.
• Support investigation and follow-up of reported AEFI cases in coordination with authorized health personnel.
• Maintain clear records of reported AEFI cases and actions taken.
• Never dismiss or conceal suspected vaccine-related adverse events.

3.7. Community Awareness and Mobilization

• Conduct or support community awareness sessions on routine immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Explain the importance of timely and complete vaccination for children and eligible target groups.
• Provide accurate information on the national immunization schedule and available vaccination services.
• Address common questions, concerns, and misconceptions about vaccines using approved health messages.
• Encourage parents and caregivers to complete all required vaccine doses.
• Coordinate with community health workers, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to mobilize eligible children.
• Promote awareness of the risks associated with vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Identify social, cultural, geographical, and other barriers to immunization and communicate them to the supervisor.
• Support inclusive access to immunization for children from vulnerable households, displaced communities, and persons with disabilities.
• Provide clear information about the location and schedule of routine and outreach immunization services.

3.8. Identification and Follow-up of Unvaccinated and Under-immunized Children

• Identify children who have not received routine vaccines or have incomplete vaccination schedules.
• Support the identification of missed and zero-dose children through approved facility and community mechanisms.
• Coordinate with community health workers and community mobilizers to encourage caregivers to access immunization services.
• Maintain follow-up records for children requiring additional doses.
• Support defaulter-tracing activities in coordination with the designated supervisor.
• Document reasons for missed vaccinations where this information is available and appropriate to collect.
• Report recurring immunization barriers and gaps to the health facility supervisor.
• Support efforts to improve vaccination coverage among underserved and hard-to-reach populations.

3.9. Immunization Records, HMIS, and Reporting

• Maintain complete, accurate, and legible immunization registers and individual vaccination records.
• Record each vaccine dose administered in the appropriate register, card, or approved reporting tool.
• Ensure that vaccination records include required information such as date, vaccine type, dose, batch or lot number where required, and other applicable details.
• Update child vaccination cards and provide caregivers with relevant information about the next scheduled dose.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly immunization service summaries as required.
• Complete and submit EPI and Health Management Information System (HMIS) reporting formats within established deadlines.
• Maintain accurate outreach session records and reports.
• Check immunization data for completeness, consistency, and accuracy before submission.
• Support authorized data verification, monitoring, and data-quality assessments.
• Report vaccination coverage gaps, stock issues, AEFI cases, and other relevant concerns through established reporting channels.
• Protect patient information and immunization records from unauthorized access or disclosure.

3.10. Coordination with Health Facility Staff

• Work closely with the Medical Doctor, Midwives, nurses, and other health facility personnel to strengthen routine immunization services.
• Coordinate with the designated supervisor regarding immunization schedules, outreach plans, vaccine availability, and operational requirements.
• Collaborate with community health workers to identify and mobilize eligible children.
• Participate in health facility meetings, supportive supervision, and immunization review sessions.
• Communicate vaccine stock shortages, cold-chain concerns, equipment problems, and service-delivery challenges promptly.
• Support integrated health service delivery by identifying eligible children during other health service contacts.
• Coordinate with relevant Provincial Public Health Directorate (PPHD) and EPI representatives through authorized HDDO channels.
• Implement agreed recommendations from supervision and monitoring visits.

3.11. Equipment and Asset Management

• Ensure proper use, cleaning, and maintenance of vaccine refrigerators, carriers, temperature-monitoring devices, and other immunization equipment.
• Monitor equipment functionality and report defects or maintenance needs promptly.
• Maintain appropriate records of equipment use and temperature monitoring.
• Ensure that cold-chain equipment is not used for unauthorized purposes.
• Protect project-provided equipment and supplies from loss, damage, or misuse.
• Support physical verification of equipment and inventory when requested.

3.12. Accountability to Affected Populations

• Treat children, parents, caregivers, and community members with dignity, respect, and professionalism.
• Provide accurate information about available immunization services, schedules, and eligibility.
• Ensure equal access to vaccination services without discrimination.
• Explain the purpose and benefits of vaccination in a clear and culturally appropriate manner.
• Inform caregivers about available feedback and complaints channels.
• Receive concerns respectfully and refer complaints through HDDO's established Community Feedback and Complaints Mechanism (CFCM/CRM).
• Avoid making promises about services or benefits beyond the approved project scope.
• Support community trust through transparent communication and responsible service delivery.

3.13. Safeguarding, PSEA, and Professional Conduct

• Comply with HDDO's Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) requirements.
• Maintain professional boundaries with children, caregivers, colleagues, and community members.
• Never engage in sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or any form of misconduct.
• Never request money, gifts, favors, or other benefits in exchange for vaccination services.
• Protect children and vulnerable adults from harm during all service-delivery activities.
• Report safeguarding concerns through designated HDDO reporting channels.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information and immunization records.
• Participate in mandatory safeguarding, PSEA, infection prevention, and other relevant training.

4. Key Deliverables

The Vaccinator is expected to contribute to the following deliverables throughout the nine-month implementation period:

1. Routine immunization services: Safe and timely vaccination provided to eligible children and target groups in accordance with the national EPI schedule.
2. Outreach immunization: Planned outreach sessions conducted in assigned communities according to approved schedules and project plans.
3. Cold-chain management: Vaccines stored, transported, and handled in accordance with national cold-chain standards, with complete temperature records.
4. Vaccine stock management: Accurate records of vaccine receipts, consumption, wastage, balance, and expiry maintained.
5. Safe vaccine administration: Immunization services delivered in compliance with approved injection safety and infection prevention procedures.
6. AEFI reporting: Suspected adverse events identified, documented, and reported promptly through established procedures.
7. Community awareness: Regular awareness and mobilization activities conducted to promote vaccination and address immunization barriers.
8. Follow-up of under-immunized children: Identification and follow-up of children with missed or incomplete vaccination schedules supported.
9. Complete documentation: Immunization registers, child vaccination cards, outreach records, and other required forms maintained accurately.
10. Routine reporting: Required EPI and HMIS reports submitted accurately and within established deadlines.
11. Coordination: Effective collaboration maintained with health facility personnel, community health workers, and authorized EPI stakeholders.
12. Safeguarding and accountability: Compliance with HDDO policies, patient confidentiality, safeguarding, PSEA, and community feedback procedures ensured.

5. Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Relevant educational qualification or professional training in vaccination, nursing, or another health-related discipline recognized for vaccinator duties under applicable MoPH requirements.
• Valid professional registration, certification, or authorization to perform vaccination duties in Afghanistan, as applicable.

·        Relevant training in the national EPI programme and safe vaccine administration is required or strongly preferred.

Professional Experience

·        At least 3 years of Relevant experience providing routine immunization services in a health facility or humanitarian health programme.

·       Practical experience in vaccine administration, cold-chain management, and immunization documentation.

·       Experience conducting outreach immunization and community mobilization activities.

6. Skills and Competencies

·        Good understanding of Afghanistan's national EPI schedule and relevant MoPH immunization guidelines.

·        Knowledge of vaccine handling, storage, transportation, and cold-chain monitoring.

·        Understanding of safe injection practices, infection prevention and control, and healthcare waste management.

·        Familiarity with immunization registers, vaccination cards, EPI reporting formats, and HMIS.

·        Basic knowledge of AEFI identification, reporting, and referral procedures.

·        Understanding of safeguarding, patient confidentiality, and accountability to affected populations.

7. Language Requirements

·        Proficiency in the locally required languages for communication with caregivers and community members.

·        Ability to read and complete immunization registers and routine reports in the language required by the health facility.

·        Additional languages: Knowledge of other relevant local languages is an advantage.

8. Core Competencies

·        Good technical and practical vaccination skills.

·        Strong attention to detail and accuracy in recordkeeping.

·        Good communication and community mobilization skills.

·        Ability to follow clinical protocols and instructions.

·        Responsible handling of vaccines and medical supplies.

·        Teamwork, integrity, accountability, and professionalism.

·        Ability to work effectively in a humanitarian and field-based environment.

Qualified Afghan applicants are encouraged to submit their resumes ASAP with a detailed application/ cover letter in one document, including a Vacancy #, contact number, Email address.

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be given Consideration. Only those candidates will be called for interview who meets the qualification and requirement for the mentioned position.

Qualified applicant can send their CV and interest letter to: hr@hddo.ngo

Submission Email: hr@hddo.ngo