Yodit Hiruy
Elk Grove,CA
Summary
I am a highly motivated public health professional with over 20 years' experience in coordinating and managing maternal and child health and EPI programs in development and emergency settings. I have managed maternal and child health program, polio eradication, measles control, maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination programs and have practical experience in health system strengthening for maternal, neonatal and child health programs. Track record of practical experience in establishing systems for community-based health interventions.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Immunization Specialist
UNICEF
Garowe, Puntland
09.2022 - Current
- Coordinated EPI Strengthening & Polio Eradication efforts and EPI within UNICEF (EPI, Health, C4D, Supply staff) and followed-up on pending actions and provided support as needed including the COVID19 response.
- Provided technical assistance & capacity building of zonal colleagues & frontline workers in developing clear, evidence based, budgeted, implementation plan, and aided its supervision, monitoring and evaluation.
- Supported UNICEF's efforts in intensification of activities to implement the Strategic Outbreak preparedness & Response Plan and EPI Plan including GAVI HSS2 implementation monitoring & grants management.
- Developed logistic plans and ensured vaccines and related supplies are dispatched on time to the immunization points and funds are dispatched on time to the implementing partners after verification of deliverables including for the COVID19 response.
- Provided weekly updates on emergency related situation including COVID19 situation, measles outbreak or any other immunization related outbreak in close coordination with the emergency coordinator and other programs.
- Provided monthly (or more often as requested) a report on the cold chain system and vaccine stocks & wastage to include cold-chain, OPV vaccines availabilities and requirements in each district for upcoming polio campaigns and routine EPI vaccines & programme logistics.
- Gathered, consolidate information on polio activities, Routine Immunization & Supplementary immunization activities from the regions & districts; summarize and analyze available data to help guide the program, identify priorities and communicate with Nairobi.
- Developed, Maintained and updated a comprehensive budget of UNICEF's components in the program, made a close follow-up of its utilization by partners and liquidation of DCTs & utilization of supplies. Oversaw various modalities of agreements with partners & implementing agencies to ensure deliverables, compliance to program & budget guidelines and monitoring results.
- Developed briefings for the Chief of Field Officer/Section to flag urgent matters pertaining to polio and routine immunization activities which will require his/her support and intervention to address any bottlenecks facing the programme.
- Conducted monitoring visits/third party monitoring for inaccessible districts, addressing bottlenecks that are identified.
- Acted as head of health and nutrition section, and chief of field office and led UNICEF health and nutrition program smoothly.
Health Specialist/SIA coordinator
UNICEF
Juba, South Sudan
07.2018 - 08.2022
- Provided valuable technical support for successful planning, implementation and monitoring of South Sudan Supplementary immunization activities(polio, measles, and maternal and neonatal tetanus) including emergency reactive vaccination response.
- Coordinated the UNICEF's response for polio free certification, by implementing polio NIDs, I successfully coordinated CVPDV outbreak in close collaboration with RRT at the Regional office, this includes development of mOPV2 vaccine management, budget, procurement of supplies, managing distribution and backhauling and destruction of mOPV2 vaccines used for outbreak response.
- I coordinated successful implementation of the outbreak response and currently working on introduction of nOPV2 for outbreak response. I develop polio work plan and budget as well as revision of polio eradication and response plan.
- I ensured smooth coordination and preparation for successful implementation of measles campaign. I ensured timely distribution of supplies. I worked closely with MOH and WHO counterparts and managed to develop the campaign micro plan two months before the campaign.
- I ensured that the social data is collected and data for logistics, vaccine and supply management including distribution points are identified.
- I supported the development of field guide, co-facilitated trainings on micro planning, organizing of measles follow up campaigns and implementation of the campaign.
- I contributed to the development of chronogram of measles campaign, field guide, crisis communication plan and over all communication plan.
- As part of the SIA technical working group, I reviewed the micro plans from 55 counties and provided feedback to states.
- I presented progress of activity implementation in the monthly and biweekly teleconference with Regional office of UNICEF and WHO.
- I coordinated the UNICEF input to the measles SIA readiness assessment at different intervals before the campaign is fully implemented, identified gaps and areas that require improvement.
- I ensured that the vaccines, injection safety supplies, transportation, c4d materials, radio and television programs are prepared and delivered timely before the campaign.
- For MNTE, I coordinated the risk assessment and let the revision of the MNTE plan, and budget.
- I coordinated the implementation of TD campaigns in selected high risk counties including documenting the lessons and best practices.
- As a focal person for vaccine preventable diseases outbreaks, I actively participated in emergency operation team and measles outbreak technical working group meetings weekly and provided technical support for implementation of measles reactive vaccination.
- I developed weekly briefing document on situation of measles outbreak and kept abreast my supervisor, chief of section and the management.
- I coordinated UNICEF's support to responding of outbreaks in 19 counties and 5 POCs.
- I advocated for allocation of additional resources to respond to measles outbreak, I developed budget for core pipeline vaccines and supplies.
- I wrote proposals to SSHF, CERF, and HARRIS and mobilized funding and ensured that vaccines and supplies are available to respond the outbreaks.
- I represented UNICEF in health cluster meetings and closely monitored disease outbreaks trends and developed preparedness plan including core pipelines for emergency vaccination responses such as: potential meningitis, and cholera response.
- I supported in the introduction of COVID19 vaccination, development of vaccine deployment plans, rolling of campaign in selective counties. development of partnership and management of the partnership and ensuring that vaccines are fully utilized before expiry.
Health Specialist maternal and neonatal health/PMTCT
UNICEF
Eritrea
04.2010 - 07.2018
- Contributed to the strategic focus of UNICEF programs, by actively participating in the strategic moment of reflection and development of the theory of change for health and nutrition program.
- Introduced home-based care for MNCH- using the household and community IMNCI strategy, and coordinated the expansion after successfully piloting and documenting.
- Developed multi year rolling work plans for MNCH and facilitated the implementation of the activities.
- Raised funding for strengthening of MNCH service delivery as well as capacity building of health providers and introduction of systems for tracking maternal and neonatal deaths.
- Advocated for periodic assessments of EMONC services and partnered with UNFPA and AMDD to conduct need assessment for Maternal and neonatal health.
- Contributed to development of maternal and child health strategies.
- Collaborated with external partners to develop training materials for focused antenatal care, household and community IMNCI, home based maternal and neonatal care.
- Managed programme funds ensured timely disbursement and liquidation of funds from partners.
- I had been assigned to manage the EPI program, where I ensured availability of vaccine at all time by strengthening system for immunization supply chain (forecasting, ordering, shipment and distribution).
- Strengthened routine immunization by mapping out high risk communities and designing context specific interventions.
- Provided strategic technical support using the PEF/TCA grant.
- Supported in executing the tOPV- bOPV switch process, i.e inventory of vaccine tracking, recalling and discarding of t-OPV and validation of the switch process.
- Managed successful application of CCEOP process, and cold chain deployment plans.
- Coordinated the implementation of immunization equity assessment in hard to reach communities of Eritrea and facilitated the development and implementation of micro plans.
- Supported MOH in planning and execution of quality Polio and measles SIAs, through quality micro planning, logistic management, social mobilization, capacity building and monitoring interventions.
- I have worked closely with C4D, to develop messages and strategies for achieving high awareness and community turn out to the SIA.
- Improved cold chain and temperature monitoring of immunization supplies by instituting a quality improvement process of regular assessments (EVM, cold chain temperature mapping and monitoring) and implementation of improvement plans.
- Provided technical support for maternal and child health programme in all stages of project implementation, assessment, planning, implementing and monitoring.
- Conducted periodic review of MCH plans, and joint appraisal reviews of immunization programs, contributed to report writing and incorporated lessons in programme implementation.
- Represented UNICEF in ICC meetings, and other technical working groups, advocated the equity agenda and spearhead equity focused program implementations.
- Supported the introduction and expansion of home based maternal and neonatal care program.
- I work synergistically with other programmes like WASH, and Nutrition to address the root causes of childhood illnesses. worked towards the development of integrated C4D strategy and implement it on the ground.
- I have been OIC chief of health when the position was vacant for longer period and I played a critical role in ensuring timely and quality program planning, implementing and monitoring as well as UNICEF's representation in different forums.
- I succeed to lead the team to achieve the planned results and successfully put together proposals and raised funds (more than 10 million).
ECD officer
UNICEF
Eritrea
01.2003 - 04.2010
- Technical support to Ministry of health to implement the three components of the integrated management of neonatal and child hood Illness as it is the main strategy for achieving MDG 4. Specific.
- Facilitated and assisted MoH to draft a comprehensive costed child survival strategy(2006-2011).
- Facilitated the integration of neonatal care in the IMCI programme, revise training materials and train trainers and health workers.
- Assisted MoH to design and expand home based management of child hood illnesses by community health workers (I was the main contributor in developing training materials as well as training of trainers.
- Provided technical support to assess quality of care for neonates and children along the continuum of care (home, community, health facility, hospital) and provide input and way forward for strengthening health systems.
- Designed annual work plan of the IMCI program and facilitate implementation.
- Trainer of household and community IMCI programme.
- Regularly traveled to field to observe and monitor program implementation.
- Regularly and timely entered progress report in proms to generate quality AWP monitoring report.
- Manage programme funds and ensured fully utilization of budget before expiry date.
- Facilitated the timely procurement and distribution of program supplies.
- Contributed to fund raising effort by organizing field visits for donors and developing proposals.
- Facilitated the establishment of neonatal care corner in all health facilities.
- Contributed to the development of health promotion materials for nutrition through participation in message development and KAP studies.
- Strengthened the capacity of MOH to undertake formative research and develop evidence based BCC materials.
- Developed guidelines and developed partners capacity to undertake community participatory dialogue.
- Assisted MoH to implement social mobilization activities during mass immunization campaigns and developed communication materials.
Social Mobilization Officer (WASH)
UNICEF
Eritrea
03.2001 - 12.2002
- Facilitate/review development of community management guidelines for UNICEF-assisted water supply and environmental sanitation projects. For example reviewed development of community level hygiene and sanitation promotion guidelines.
- Facilitate review/ development of school hygiene and sanitation promotion guideline.
- Led the establishment of community water supply and sanitation management systems.
- Led the development of key messages for hygiene and sanitation promotion as well as HIV/AIDS prevention using water points as entry points.
- Led the post completion follow-up of community management activities of water supply.
- Contributed to development of proposal, donor reports, periodic reports, briefing notes as well as humanitarian updates.
- Facilitate/ prepare orientation and training in Human Rights Based to Programming.
Capacity Building Coordinator
Eritrean Community Development Fund (dissolved)
05.1998 - 02.2001
- Undertook organization capacity need assessment.
- Developed yearly capacity building plan.
- Coordinated training programmes.
- Managed capacity building budgets.
- Established roster of institutions and consultancies.
- Liaised with the World Bank supervision mission.
- Wrote reports.
Journalist, Eritrean Profile
Ministry of information
01.1998 - 04.1998
- Monitored news in the local and international media and wrote on a weekly English news paper.
- Published feature stories, interviews.
Education
Maters of public health - International course on health and development
Royal Tropical Institute/Vrije University
01.2008
Bachelor of Art - Community Development and communication
Daystar University
01.1997
Secondary school leaving certificate - science stream
SOS secondary school
01.1991
Skills
- Patient confidentiality
- Healthcare ethics
- Health promotion
- Vaccine administration
- Grant management
- Coordination, team work
Short Term Training Workshops
- 2017, UNICEF approach to health system strengthening.
- 2013, Health economics and financing: achieving equitable results for children.
- 2012, Certificate in Management development program.
- 2011, Program Management of Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission.
- 2010, Home based care for mothers and neonates.
- 2008, Certificate on e-learning Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health in crisis situation.
- 2007, Four days training in Holiday INN Hotel Nairobi on Marginal Budgeting for Bottlenecks tools.
- 2006, Certificate on Principled approach to Humanitarian Action.
- 2005, Certificate on Emergency preparedness training.
- 2004, EPI regional meetings in Zanzibar and Nairobi.
- 2003, One week training on Monitoring and Evaluation of programme communication intervention of Expanded Programme on Immunization in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- 2003, Training of Trainers on human right based approach to programming, Massaka, Uganda.
- 2002, Certificate on Hygiene promotion training, NETWAS, Kenya.
- 2000, Study tour Zambian Social Investment Fund.
Timeline
Immunization Specialist
UNICEF
09.2022 - Current
Health Specialist/SIA coordinator
UNICEF
07.2018 - 08.2022
Health Specialist maternal and neonatal health/PMTCT
UNICEF
04.2010 - 07.2018
ECD officer
UNICEF
01.2003 - 04.2010
Social Mobilization Officer (WASH)
UNICEF
03.2001 - 12.2002
Capacity Building Coordinator
Eritrean Community Development Fund (dissolved)
05.1998 - 02.2001
Journalist, Eritrean Profile
Ministry of information
01.1998 - 04.1998
Bachelor of Art - Community Development and communication
Daystar University
Secondary school leaving certificate - science stream
SOS secondary school
Maters of public health - International course on health and development
Royal Tropical Institute/Vrije University