Vaccinator

1. Background

Health, Disability and Development Organization (HDDO) is non-Profit, non-governmental and non-political National Organization established in January 2020 under Reg: No:4886 with Ministry of Economic, HDDO is also registered with MoPH by the registration number of 662. HDDO is register with the Ministry of Refuges HDDO is member of the Ministry of Public Health Disability and Rehabilitation working group and the member of Community Based Rehabilitation network. HDDO provided quality services so far in 9 provinces as a professional Organization and as agent of change for Victims of war/ conflicts and Person with Disabilities. HDDO is active member of the Health cluster and reproductive health working group as well. HDDO implements humanitarian and development interventions in areas including primary healthcare, nutrition, physical rehabilitation, disability inclusion, psychosocial support, WASH, community engagement and emergency response.

Health, Disability and Development Organization (HDDO), with funding from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), is implementing the project “Strengthening Life-Saving Integrated Health and Nutrition Response for Conflict- and Disaster-Affected Communities in Daykundi Province.” The project aims to improve access to essential and life-saving health and nutrition services for vulnerable and underserved communities affected by conflict, disasters and other humanitarian needs.

Routine immunization and outreach vaccination are important components of primary health care and contribute to the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly among children and other eligible populations.

The Vaccinators will work through Static Health Centres (SHCs) and Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams (MHNTs) to provide vaccination services in accordance with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), BPHS requirements, national immunization guidelines, applicable cold-chain procedures, HDDO policies and AHF project requirements.

2. Purpose of the Position

The Vaccinator is responsible for delivering safe, effective and quality immunization services to eligible beneficiaries at assigned health facilities and through approved outreach/mobile activities. The position will administer vaccines according to the national immunization schedule and approved protocols; maintain vaccine safety and cold-chain requirements; ensure proper documentation and reporting of immunization activities; monitor vaccine stocks and supplies; identify and appropriately manage or refer adverse events following immunization (AEFI); and conduct community awareness activities to promote timely vaccination. The Vaccinator will contribute to increasing immunization coverage and reducing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases among children and other eligible populations in the project catchment areas.

3. Key Responsibilities

3.1 Routine Immunization Services

• Provide routine immunization services at the assigned SHC or designated service point.
• Administer vaccines according to the national EPI schedule and approved protocols.
• Verify beneficiary eligibility and vaccination status before administration.
• Ensure the correct vaccine, dose, route and timing are followed.
• Provide appropriate information to caregivers before and after vaccination.
• Identify children who have missed scheduled vaccinations and support appropriate follow-up.
• Ensure eligible children receive vaccinations according to the approved schedule.
• Maintain a safe, clean and organized vaccination area.
• Ensure vaccination services are delivered respectfully and without discrimination.

4. Outreach and Mobile Vaccination Services

For the 6 Male Vaccinators assigned to MHNTs, and where applicable to SHC-based outreach activities:

• Participate in scheduled vaccination outreach sessions.
• Travel to targeted communities according to the approved monthly field plan.
• Provide vaccination services to children and other eligible beneficiaries in underserved areas.
• Coordinate with CHWs and community representatives for community mobilization.
• Identify children who have missed vaccinations.
• Support defaulter tracing and follow-up activities.
• Conduct vaccination sessions according to approved EPI procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of vaccines administered during outreach activities.
• Ensure proper transportation and handling of vaccines during field activities.
• Return unused vaccines and related supplies according to approved procedures.
• Report field-level challenges affecting immunization coverage.

5. Vaccine Administration and Safety

The Vaccinator shall:

• Administer vaccines using correct techniques and according to approved national protocols.
• Confirm vaccine type, dose, route and beneficiary before administration.
• Follow appropriate infection prevention and control measures.
• Use safe injection practices.
• Maintain appropriate hygiene during vaccination sessions.
• Safely dispose of used syringes, needles and other medical waste.
• Observe beneficiaries as required following vaccination.
• Recognize signs of possible adverse events following immunization.
• Immediately report suspected AEFI cases to the responsible clinical supervisor.
• Maintain appropriate AEFI documentation and reporting.
• Ensure vaccines are never administered if their safety, validity or storage condition is questionable.

6. Cold Chain Management

The Vaccinator will be responsible for maintaining vaccine potency through proper cold-chain management, including:

• Maintaining vaccines within the required temperature range.
• Monitoring and documenting vaccine storage temperatures.
• Proper use of vaccine carriers, cold boxes and ice packs.
• Checking vaccine vial conditions before use.
• Applying appropriate vaccine management procedures.
• Monitoring expiry dates and vaccine usability.
• Reporting cold-chain failures immediately.
• Preventing exposure of vaccines to inappropriate temperatures, direct sunlight or other damaging conditions.
• Ensuring proper handling of vaccines during transport to outreach sites.
• Maintaining cold-chain records accurately.

Any suspected cold-chain breach must be immediately reported to the designated supervisor and managed according to approved EPI procedures.

7. Vaccine Stock and Supply Management

• Monitor vaccine availability at the assigned facility or team.
• Maintain accurate vaccine stock records.
• Monitor consumption and balance of vaccines and immunization supplies.
• Report shortages or overstocking risks promptly.
• Check expiry dates regularly.
• Ensure vaccines and related supplies are stored appropriately.
• Maintain accountability for syringes, safety boxes, vaccine carriers and other immunization commodities.
• Support appropriate forecasting and requisition of vaccines and supplies.
• Report damaged, expired or compromised vaccines and supplies according to established procedures.

8. Immunization Data Recording and Reporting

The Vaccinator will ensure accurate and timely documentation of all vaccination services, including:

• Recording each vaccine administered in the appropriate register or approved recording tool.
• Maintaining accurate child/client vaccination records.
• Recording vaccine type, dose and date as required.
• Maintaining outreach session records.
• Supporting preparation of daily, weekly and monthly immunization statistics.
• Submitting data to the responsible health facility or project reporting staff.
• Supporting HMIS/EPI reporting requirements.
• Participating in data-quality verification.
• Identifying and correcting data discrepancies.
• Maintaining confidentiality of beneficiary information.

9. Community Mobilization and Awareness

The Vaccinator will support community awareness and mobilization activities by:

• Providing clear information about the benefits of immunization.
• Explaining the importance of completing vaccination schedules.
• Addressing common questions and concerns regarding routine immunization.
• Informing caregivers about vaccination dates and outreach sessions.
• Working with CHWs, community leaders and other mobilizers to identify eligible children.
• Supporting identification and follow-up of children who have missed vaccinations.
• Promoting timely utilization of vaccination services.
• Providing appropriate information about vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Reporting misinformation or barriers affecting vaccination uptake to the supervisor.

10. Defaulter Identification and Follow-Up

• Review available vaccination records to identify children who have missed scheduled doses.
• Coordinate with CHWs and community structures for follow-up.
• Support community-based identification of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children.
• Maintain appropriate defaulter lists and follow-up records.
• Encourage caregivers to complete vaccination schedules.
• Document follow-up activities and outcomes.
• Report persistent barriers to vaccination uptake to the relevant supervisor.

11. Integration with Primary Health Care

The Vaccinator will coordinate with the wider health team to integrate immunization with other primary health care services.

This includes:

• Identifying children requiring other health services during vaccination sessions.
• Referring sick children to the MD Doctor or appropriate health personnel.
• Supporting integration of immunization with child health activities.
• Providing health education on hygiene, nutrition and disease prevention as appropriate.
• Coordinating with nurses, midwives, CHWs and other health staff.
• Supporting community outreach activities where immunization is integrated with other services.

12. Infection Prevention and Control

The Vaccinator shall:

• Follow standard infection prevention and control procedures.
• Perform appropriate hand hygiene.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment where required.
• Use safe injection practices.
• Ensure safe disposal of sharps.
• Use safety boxes correctly.
• Maintain cleanliness of vaccination areas.
• Prevent cross-contamination during vaccination sessions.
• Report IPC concerns promptly.

13. Waste Management

• Safely dispose of used syringes and needles in approved safety boxes.
• Ensure safety boxes are not overfilled.
• Segregate immunization-related waste appropriately.
• Follow HDDO and health-facility procedures for medical waste disposal.
• Report unsafe waste-management practices immediately.

14. AEFI Monitoring and Reporting

The Vaccinator shall:

• Observe beneficiaries according to applicable procedures following vaccination.
• Recognize common and serious signs of possible AEFI.
• Immediately report suspected AEFI to the assigned clinical supervisor.
• Support immediate referral or emergency management when required.
• Complete relevant AEFI documentation.
• Cooperate with investigations and follow-up of suspected AEFI cases.
• Maintain confidentiality of beneficiary information.

The Vaccinator is not responsible for independent clinical diagnosis or treatment of serious AEFI beyond their professional scope; such cases must be referred to qualified clinical personnel.

15. SHC-Specific Responsibilities

For the 5 Female Vaccinators assigned to Static Health Centres (SHCs):

• Provide routine immunization services during approved facility working hours.
• Maintain an organized and client-friendly vaccination service point.
• Coordinate with facility staff to identify eligible children.
• Review vaccination records and identify defaulters.
• Support facility-based immunization data collection and reporting.
• Maintain vaccine stock and cold-chain records.
• Support outreach and community mobilization activities as assigned.
• Coordinate with female caregivers and community structures as appropriate.
• Participate in facility-level meetings, supervision and quality-improvement activities.

16. MHNT-Specific Responsibilities

For the 6 Male Vaccinators assigned to Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams (MHNTs):

• Participate in scheduled monthly field deployments.
• Travel to targeted communities according to the approved MHNT work plan.
• Conduct vaccination sessions in designated outreach locations.
• Coordinate with CHWs and community representatives for mobilization.
• Identify eligible and missed children.
• Maintain vaccination and outreach records.
• Maintain vaccine cold chain during field activities.
• Ensure safe transportation and handling of vaccines.
• Report outreach achievements, gaps and challenges.
• Support referral of children requiring additional health services.
• Follow all HDDO field security and movement procedures.

17. Coordination and Communication

The Vaccinator will maintain effective coordination with:

• Project Manager.
• Project Health & Nutrition Officer.
• Assigned MD Doctor.
• Nurses and Midwives.
• Health Facility In-Charge.
• CHWs and community mobilizers.
• Provincial Public Health Directorate (PPHD) and relevant EPI authorities.
• MHNT members.
• Other project staff involved in community outreach and reporting.

The Vaccinator shall promptly report operational, cold-chain, vaccine-supply, AEFI, security or service-delivery concerns to the appropriate supervisor.

18. Quality assurance

• Deliver vaccination services in accordance with approved EPI guidelines.
• Participate in supportive supervision.
• Implement corrective actions identified through supervision.
• Maintain appropriate vaccination techniques.
• Ensure accurate documentation and reporting.
• Monitor cold-chain compliance.
• Participate in data-quality reviews.
• Identify and report barriers affecting immunization coverage.
• Participate in relevant training, mentoring and refresher sessions.

19. Reporting and Documentation

The Vaccinator will contribute to:

• Daily vaccination records.
• Routine immunization registers.
• Outreach vaccination records.
• Vaccine stock records.
• Cold-chain temperature records.
• Vaccine wastage/consumption records, as applicable.
• Defaulter lists and follow-up records.
• AEFI records and reports.
• HMIS/EPI reporting.
• Monthly project reports.
• Community mobilization records.
• Field/MHNT activity reports.

All records must be accurate, complete, timely and maintained according to HDDO and MoPH requirements.

20. Compliance and Internal Controls

The Vaccinator must:

• Comply with HDDO policies and procedures.
• Follow MoPH/EPI guidelines and approved immunization protocols.
• Comply with AHF project requirements.
• Follow approved attendance, working-hour and leave procedures.
• Maintain accountability for vaccines, equipment and supplies.
• Protect project assets.
• Follow cold-chain and vaccine-management procedures.
• Follow field security and movement procedures.
• Report suspected misuse, loss or unauthorized use of vaccines or project resources.
• Report safeguarding concerns through established channels.

21. Key Deliverables

During the 11-month project implementation period, the Vaccinator is expected to contribute to:

1. Quality routine immunization services at assigned SHCs.
2. Quality outreach immunization services through MHNTs.
3. Safe and accurate administration of vaccines.
4. Maintenance of vaccine cold chain.
5. Proper management and accountability of vaccines and immunization supplies.
6. Accurate recording of all immunization services.
7. Timely EPI/HMIS reporting.
8. Identification and follow-up of children who have missed vaccinations.
9. Community awareness on vaccine-preventable diseases.
10. Effective coordination with CHWs and community structures.
11. Timely identification and reporting of suspected AEFI.
12. Compliance with infection prevention and safe injection procedures.
13. Contribution to increased immunization coverage in project target areas.
14. Timely reporting of operational and service-delivery challenges.
15. Compliance with MoPH, HDDO and AHF requirements.

• Qualification and Experience

Education

Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Midwifery, Vaccination/EPI or another relevant health field, as accepted under applicable MoPH/EPI requirements.

Relevant recognized EPI/Vaccinator training and certification is required or highly desirable, as applicable.

Valid professional registration/licensing where required.

Professional Experience

Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in immunization/EPI services or primary health care.

Previous experience with NGOs, humanitarian programmes, BPHS or EPI programmes is highly desirable.

• Technical Skills

The successful candidate should have

Good knowledge of routine immunization and EPI procedures.

Practical skills in safe vaccine administration.

Good knowledge of cold-chain management.

Understanding of vaccine handling and storage requirements.

Ability to maintain accurate immunization records.

Knowledge of vaccine stock and supply management.

Ability to recognize and report suspected AEFI.

Knowledge of safe injection and infection prevention practices.

Ability to conduct community mobilization and health education.

Ability to identify missed vaccinations and support defaulter follow-up.

Basic understanding of HMIS/EPI reporting.

Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Ability to work in both facility-based and field/outreach environments.

• Language Requirements

Fluency in Pashto and/or Dari is required.

Working knowledge of English is an advantage.

Ability to communicate effectively with children, caregivers, community members and health personnel.

• Core Competencies

Professionalism and ethical conduct

Accountability and responsibility

Accuracy and attention to detail

Teamwork and collaboration

Effective communication

Community engagement

Respect and cultural sensitivity

Integrity and confidentiality

Flexibility and adaptability

Problem-solving

Ability to work under pressure

Commitment to public health

Commitment to humanitarian principles

Commitment to immunization quality and safety

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: [email protected]

Submission Email: [email protected]