IPMPV - Tonga | Public Health Officer

Duty Statement:    

The Integrated Project Management Team supports the Government of Tonga to implement the Systems Strengthening for Effective Coverage of New Vaccines in the Pacific Project.

For the final five months of project implementation, ending 30 November 2026, the Public Health Officer will work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and IPM team to increase and sustain coverage of the human papillomavirus (HPV), pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and rotavirus vaccine (RV). Particular attention will be given to accelerating HPV uptake while maintaining strong PCV and RV coverage through data-led microplanning, school and community outreach, defaulter follow-up and inclusive demand generation.

The officer will also support implementation of the project Exit Strategy, including the transition of project-supported functions into routine MOH systems, practical knowledge transfer to designated MOH counterparts, completion of handover evidence and readiness for project closure. The officer will comply with MOH, Abt Global and ADB policies on gender equality, disability and social inclusion, fraud and anti-corruption, HIV and AIDS, child protection and the environment.

Specific Duties:

•  Work with MOH and the IPM team to prepare and implement a focused July–November 2026 action plan for increasing HPV, PCV and RV coverage, aligned with the national immunisation programme and project Exit Strategy.

• Prioritise intensive HPV catch-up activities, including strengthened school-based delivery, outreach to out-of-school girls, community and household follow-up, and engagement with trusted community partners.

• Support MOH to maintain strong PCV and RV coverage by identifying missed children and dose drop-off, strengthening defaulter tracing, and addressing service-delivery gaps.

• Use routine, sex-disaggregated and facility-level immunisation data to identify low-coverage areas and missed populations, update inclusive microplans, set weekly and monthly targets, and monitor progress.

• Coordinate implementation with EPI, health facilities, schools, island and district teams, health promotion staff, community organisations and other partners to ensure timely and inclusive delivery

• Support disability-inclusive and gender-responsive outreach and communication to improve vaccine confidence, address misinformation and reduce access barriers.

• Monitor vaccine availability, cold chain performance and distribution to service-delivery points; promptly escalate risks that may affect HPV, PCV or RV delivery.

• Support completion of remaining eligible project activities and procurements by 30 November 2026 and maintain clear implementation evidence for reporting and closure.

• Implement assigned transition actions from the Exit Strategy and maintain an up-to-date tracker of responsibilities, deadlines, evidence, risks and unresolved issues.

• Identify and work with designated MOH counterparts for continuing functions, prepare a practical knowledge-transfer plan, conduct paired implementation and confirm counterpart readiness before IPM demobilisation.

• Support the transfer of relevant SOPs, tools, training materials, datasets, stakeholder contacts and programme records into MOH systems, with complete and accessible handover documentation.

• Contribute to MOH planning for 2027, including routine immunisation delivery, outreach, supervision, training, community engagement, data reporting, vaccine forecasting and cold chain maintenance.

• Prepare concise monthly updates on vaccine coverage, activities completed, transition progress, key risks and required management actions, and contribute evidence to final project reports and Project Completion Report inputs.

• Perform other closely related implementation, transition, handover and closure duties agreed with MOH and the IPM Public Health Specialist.

Core Competencies:

• Delivers results

• Builds internal and external customer satisfaction and loyalty

• Develops people

• Communicates

• Sets vision and direction

• Demonstrates sound financial and business-related practices

• Builds teams and cooperation

• Promotes technical excellence and quality

• Promotes diversity

• Acts as a role model. 

Key Requirements:

• A medical, nursing and/or public health degree.

• Five to eight years of experience in public health, with a strong understanding of maternal and child health and national immunisation programmes.

• Demonstrated experience in immunisation service delivery, coverage improvement, microplanning, outreach, data use and defaulter follow-up; experience with HPV vaccination is highly desirable.

• Experience supporting government-led transition, capacity strengthening, knowledge transfer, handover or project closure is desirable.

• Strong coordination, problem-solving, monitoring and concise report-writing skills, with the ability to work effectively with MOH teams, schools, communities and development partners.

• Fluency in English and Tongan is highly desirable. Applicants who have been a Tongan public servant within the past 12 months are not eligible for this position.

How to Apply

Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.  Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted.  The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt. 

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. 

Closing Date: Friday 31 July 2026 #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection. 

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities 

About Us  

Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtglobal.com 

Equity 

Abt Global values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Safeguarding 

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.