About HealthNet TPO:

HealthNet TPO is a Netherlands based not for profit, non-governmental organization founded on the principle that access to affordable quality health care is a basic human right.

In 1992 HealthNet TPO was established by ‘Doctors without Borders’ to bridge the gap between emergency aid and structural development. The organization is now the result of a merger between HealthNet International (HNI) and the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO). HNI has knowledge and experience in reinforcing healthcare systems and prevention, diagnosis and treatment of transmissible diseases. TPO is an expert in the field of psychosocial and mental health care for survivors of war and natural disasters.  HealthNet TPO Afghanistan is managed by a team of qualified Afghans and supported by a team of experts at the HQ of the organization in Holland.

HealthNet TPO Afghanistan is providing Primary Health Care, Mental Health and psychosocial services, fighting malaria and supporting Mother & Child Health Care in terms of providing training for Community Midwifes and to conduct operation research. HealthNet TPO is currently implementing projects in almost 20 provinces of Afghanistan and the major program it implements are HER (Health Emergency Response) projects in three provinces, Nutrition, Mental Health and Psychosocial, Malaria Control program, Tuberculous....... through a community system strengthening approach.

HealthNet TPO has zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. HNITPO takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse involving HNITPO employees and Related Personnel

To strengthen Vaccine demand generation for immunization and address vaccine hesitancy, the project will establish a Refusal Response Committee (RRC) as a community-based coordination and engagement mechanism. The RRC will be composed of two religious leaders, two trained health promoters (one male and one female), supported by the district Polio Program Coordinator/WHO, the District Health Officer (DHO) representing the Provincial Public Health Directorate, and a Community Elder (Sarkhil/Malak) from the target community. Information on refusals will be shared with the RRC through the SIA program, facilitated by the SIA Consultant.

The RRC will operate in close collaboration with Routine Immunization (RI) acceleration team in district with identified pockets of refusal families and missed children. The committee will lead culturally appropriate and gender‑sensitive household engagement to address misconceptions, build trust, and promote acceptance of vaccines. The messages will emphasize the health benefits of immunization, child rights to essential health services, and alignment with Islamic principles, tailored to community values and concerns. The RRC will clearly communicate the severe and lifelong consequences of polio infection using storytelling, visual materials, and testimonies of polio survivors. The main responsibility of the committee members is to convince vaccine-refused families and improve demand generation in the community.

2. Goal and Objectives of the Position:

Goal: Reduce the number of vaccines‑refusing households in targeted high‑risk areas, using structured household counselling, engagement of trusted religious and community leaders, and improved integrated service delivery.

Objectives:

• To identify, document, and analyze the underlying social, cultural, religious, and service‑related determinants of vaccine refusal at household and community levels in high‑risk districts
• To engage vaccine refusal households through structured, respectful, and informed interpersonal communication that address concerns, misconceptions, and trust barriers related to vaccination.
• To strengthen coordination among health, religious, community, and local administrative stakeholders to support timely management and resolution of vaccine refusal cases.
• To design, adapt, and implement locally appropriate, culturally sensitive intervention strategies that promote acceptance of vaccination and sustained immunization behaviours.

• To regularly receive and utilize validated data on vaccine‑hesitant families from the polio program, and to engage these households through the Refusal Response Committee (RRC) for targeted communication and counselling interventions aimed at reducing vaccine hesitancy in high-risk communities.

3. Key Responsibilities:

• 1. Community Outreach and Mobilization:
• Implement community engagement strategy for community engagement in health and immunization programs.
• Organize community sessions, meetings, discussions, and focus groups to increase awareness and gather input 24 sessions each month.
• Foster partnerships with local community leaders, heads of villages, heads of families, district Polio Program Coordinator/WHO, District Health Officer (DHO), and other stakeholders.
• Conduct Vaccine Refusal Charter Sessions (VRCS) to foster community engagement through community‑led dialogue with refusal households, addressing concerns and misconceptions, and building trust to promote acceptance of polio vaccination. The sessions will be facilitated by the community/household elders who had previously resisted vaccination.

3.2 Communication and Advocacy:

• Disseminate IEC materials to raise awareness of health and immunization programs and services.
• Coordinate and facilitate community discussions, ensuring clear communication and the exchange of information.
• Advocate for community needs and feedback with health and immunization program teams and decision-makers.

3.3 Capacity Building:

• Provide training and support for community religious leaders, local authorities, and volunteers to understand the importance of vaccines.
• Build community leaders’ capacity to engage others effectively and advocate for health initiatives.
• Build community Vaccine Refusal Charter Members to facilitated by the community/household elders who had previously resisted vaccination.
• Develop and deliver awareness sessions on key health and immunization topics.

3.4. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Collect data on community participation and feedback for ongoing program improvement.
• Collaborate with the monitoring and evaluation team to assess the impact of community engagement efforts.
• Report on engagement activities and recommend adjustments to strategies as needed.

3.5. Collaboration and Coordination:

• Work closely with health care providers, local authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment of health initiatives with community needs.
• Serve as a liaison among the health sector and community-based organizations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary teams to share insights and contribute to comprehensive health program development.

4. Convince vaccine-refused families and vaccination of their children: Addressing vaccine-refused families in the community requires a multi-faceted approach that involves education, community engagement, trust-building, and collaboration with local/religious leaders and stakeholders. Here are some key strategies for effectively converting and managing vaccine refusals:

4.1. Community Education and Awareness:

• Provide Accurate Information: Educate the community about the safety, efficacy, and importance of vaccines through evidence-based information. Use simple and clear language, infographics, videos, and stories that resonate with the local population.
• Address Misconceptions: Identify common misconceptions and myths about vaccines and provide factual information to counteract these beliefs. Include input from trusted health professionals to reinforce the message.
• Highlight Benefits: Emphasize the benefits of immunization not just for individuals but for the community as a whole, such as herd immunity and protection of vulnerable populations.

4.2. Engagement with Community Leaders and Influencers:

• Involve Trusted Figures: Engage community leaders, religious leaders, educators, and influential community members as well head of family to advocate for vaccines. Their support can lend credibility and encourage people to trust vaccination efforts.
• Peer Educators: Train and orient community religious leaders or volunteers to act as peer educators to spread positive messaging about immunization.

4.3. Address Specific Concerns:

• Listen to Concerns: Take the time to understand the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy or refusal. This could include fears of side effects, mistrust of health authorities, or religious beliefs.
• Provide Solutions: Tailor responses to specific concerns. For example, if fear of side effects is a reason for refusal, explain the common side effects and how they are usually mild and temporary. If religious beliefs are a reason for refusal, explain the benefits of vaccines from the perspective of Islam to convince the refused families to vaccinate their children

4.4. Improve Access and Convenience:

• Conduct village-level outreach sessions: organize health awareness outreach sessions to reach remote or underserved areas, making it easier for people to get vaccinated.
• Flexible Scheduling: Offer vaccinations during times that are convenient for the community, including weekends or evenings, to accommodate people’s schedules.
• Partnerships with Local Organizations: Collaborate with community shura, schools, and local businesses to set up awareness and vaccination sessions and make the process more accessible.

5. Key Competencies:

• Leadership: Ability to inspire and motivate community members to participate in health initiatives.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive approach to identifying challenges and finding solutions.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt strategies and approaches based on community needs and feedback.
• Teamwork: Work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.
• Empathy: Demonstrating understanding and consideration for community members’ perspectives and needs.

6. Working Conditions:

• The RRC  members will work full-time for Laghman, Nangarhar and Kunar provincial offices with regular travel to different districts and locations Laghman (Qarghayi and Mehterlam districts), Nangarhar (Khogyani, Surkhrod, Jalalabad, Behsoud and Kama districts) and Kunar will cover all districts within the service areas to conduct health promotion outreach sessions and convince the refused families to vaccinate their children against polio and other preventable diseases with full supported by the district Polio Program Coordinator/WHO, the District Health Officer (DHO) representing the Provincial Public Health Directorate, and a Community Elder (Sarkhil/Malak) from the target community and they will link the convinced family with HCs.

7. Expected Outcomes:

• Enhanced community participation and partnership in health and immunization programs.
• Improved community trust and satisfaction with health and immunization services.
• Enhanced health awareness and positive behavior changes in the community.
• Reduced number of vaccine-refused families.

8. Reporting and Accountability:

• The RRC members will submit regular reports on community engagement activities and outcomes to the provincial project officer.
• Maintain detailed records of village-level health promotion outreach sessions, community interactions, participation metrics, and feedback received.

• Graduated from the faculty of Sharia.
• Committed and should not have an active contract with any other entities.
• Know about immunization and the importance of health and vaccines from the perspective of Islam
• Be a resident and have respect and trust in the community.

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to send their CVs along with an application letter to recruitment.kabul@hntpo.org.

Please ensure to fill out the Health Net TPO application form which is available in http://www.acbar.org/applicationform  

Please ensure to mention the position you are applying for, in the subject line of your E-mail

Incomplete applications or applications received after closing date will not be given consideration.