Africa CDC Opens Applications for the Continental Immunization Advisory Council (CIAC) 2026–2028

<p data-start="1096" data-end="1413">The <strong data-start="1100" data-end="1166">Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)</strong> is inviting <strong data-start="1179" data-end="1213">Expressions of Interest (EOIs)</strong> from distinguished African leaders, technical experts, policymakers, advocates, and public health professionals to serve on the newly established <strong data-start="1360" data-end="1412">Continental Immunization Advisory Council (CIAC)</strong>.</p> <p data-start="1415" data-end="1741">The Council is a high-level strategic advisory platform that will guide and accelerate the implementation of the <strong data-start="1528" data-end="1592">Africa CDC Continental Immunization Strategy (CIS) 2026–2030</strong>, helping strengthen immunization systems, improve health security, and expand equitable access to life-saving vaccines across the African continent.</p> <p data-start="1743" data-end="1930">Individuals with demonstrated leadership, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to advancing immunization in Africa are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.</p> <h2 data-start="1932" data-end="1955">Application Deadline</h2> <p data-start="1957" data-end="1983"><strong data-start="1957" data-end="1983">Deadline: 21 July 2026</strong></p> <h1 data-start="1990" data-end="2050">About the Continental Immunization Advisory Council (CIAC)</h1> <p data-start="2052" data-end="2251">The Continental Immunization Advisory Council (CIAC) is a strategic, action-oriented body established by Africa CDC to provide independent, high-level guidance on continental immunization priorities.</p> <p data-start="2253" data-end="2405">The Council will support the implementation of the <strong data-start="2304" data-end="2353">Continental Immunization Strategy (2026–2030)</strong>, which recognizes immunization as a cornerstone of:</p> <ul data-start="2407" data-end="2555"> <li data-start="2407" data-end="2443">Strong primary health care systems</li> <li data-start="2444" data-end="2467">Epidemic preparedness</li> <li data-start="2468" data-end="2485">Health security</li> <li data-start="2486" data-end="2501">Health equity</li> <li data-start="2502" data-end="2527">Sustainable development</li> <li data-start="2528" data-end="2555">Human capital development</li> </ul> <p data-start="2557" data-end="2775">By bringing together influential leaders from across Africa, the Council aims to strengthen political commitment, improve financing, foster accountability, and accelerate immunization coverage throughout the continent.</p> <h1 data-start="2782" data-end="2804">Role of CIAC Members</h1> <p data-start="2806" data-end="2992">Members will serve as senior strategic advisors and advocates, helping Africa CDC identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and promote sustainable solutions for immunization systems.</p> <p data-start="2994" data-end="3015">Council members will:</p> <ul data-start="3017" data-end="3666"> <li data-start="3017" data-end="3085">Provide strategic advice on immunization priorities across Africa.</li> <li data-start="3086" data-end="3159">Identify emerging opportunities, risks, and implementation bottlenecks.</li> <li data-start="3160" data-end="3239">Champion immunization within primary health care and health security agendas.</li> <li data-start="3240" data-end="3314">Advocate for sustainable domestic financing for immunization programmes.</li> <li data-start="3315" data-end="3390">Promote stronger coordination among governments and development partners.</li> <li data-start="3391" data-end="3453">Participate in policy dialogues and technical consultations.</li> <li data-start="3454" data-end="3497">Join targeted working groups when needed.</li> <li data-start="3498" data-end="3570">Support accountability by reviewing progress and recommending actions.</li> <li data-start="3571" data-end="3666">Use their professional influence and networks to advance continental immunization priorities.</li> </ul> <h1 data-start="3673" data-end="3710">Expertise Africa CDC Is Looking For</h1> <p data-start="3712" data-end="3873">Africa CDC seeks a diverse and balanced Council composed of leaders with recognized expertise and influence in areas critical to improving immunization outcomes.</p> <p data-start="3875" data-end="3915">Ideal candidates may have experience in:</p> <h3 data-start="3917" data-end="3952">Political and Policy Leadership</h3> <ul data-start="3954" data-end="4041"> <li data-start="3954" data-end="3977">Government leadership</li> <li data-start="3978" data-end="4001">Parliamentary affairs</li> <li data-start="4002" data-end="4013">Diplomacy</li> <li data-start="4014" data-end="4041">Public policy development</li> </ul> <h3 data-start="4043" data-end="4071">Public Health Leadership</h3> <ul data-start="4073" data-end="4169"> <li data-start="4073" data-end="4098">Immunization programmes</li> <li data-start="4099" data-end="4120">Primary health care</li> <li data-start="4121" data-end="4138">Health security</li> <li data-start="4139" data-end="4169">Health systems strengthening</li> </ul> <h3 data-start="4171" data-end="4207">Technical Immunization Expertise</h3> <ul data-start="4209" data-end="4366"> <li data-start="4209" data-end="4239">Vaccine-preventable diseases</li> <li data-start="4240" data-end="4261">Immunization policy</li> <li data-start="4262" data-end="4305">Zero-dose and under-immunized populations</li> <li data-start="4306" data-end="4340">Outbreak prevention and response</li> <li data-start="4341" data-end="4366">Life-course vaccination</li> </ul> <h3 data-start="4368" data-end="4388">Health Financing</h3> <ul data-start="4390" data-end="4546"> <li data-start="4390" data-end="4406">Public finance</li> <li data-start="4407" data-end="4439">Domestic resource mobilization</li> <li data-start="4440" data-end="4458">Health budgeting</li> <li data-start="4459" data-end="4481">Innovative financing</li> <li data-start="4482" data-end="4511">Investment case development</li> <li data-start="4512" data-end="4546">Sustainable financing for health</li> </ul> <h3 data-start="4548" data-end="4572">Community Engagement</h3> <ul data-start="4574" data-end="4736"> <li data-start="4574" data-end="4600">Civil society leadership</li> <li data-start="4601" data-end="4625">Community mobilization</li> <li data-start="4626" data-end="4646">Risk communication</li> <li data-start="4647" data-end="4666">Demand generation</li> <li data-start="4667" data-end="4685">Youth engagement</li> <li data-start="4686" data-end="4701">Gender equity</li> <li data-start="4702" data-end="4736">Reaching underserved populations</li> </ul> <h3 data-start="4738" data-end="4767">Implementation Experience</h3> <p data-start="4769" data-end="4807">Candidates with experience working in:</p> <ul data-start="4809" data-end="4976"> <li data-start="4809" data-end="4827">Fragile settings</li> <li data-start="4828" data-end="4855">Conflict-affected regions</li> <li data-start="4856" data-end="4879">Humanitarian contexts</li> <li data-start="4880" data-end="4912">Cross-border health programmes</li> <li data-start="4913" data-end="4937">Urban poor communities</li> <li data-start="4938" data-end="4976">Remote and hard-to-reach populations</li> </ul> <p data-start="4978" data-end="5015">are particularly encouraged to apply.</p> <h1 data-start="5022" data-end="5039">Membership Term</h1> <p data-start="5041" data-end="5069">Selected members will serve:</p> <ul data-start="5071" data-end="5320"> <li data-start="5071" data-end="5112"><strong data-start="5073" data-end="5090">Initial term:</strong> Two years (2026–2028)</li> <li data-start="5113" data-end="5320">Eligible for <strong data-start="5128" data-end="5163">one additional two-year renewal</strong> based on: <ul data-start="5176" data-end="5320"> <li data-start="5176" data-end="5210">Continued relevance of expertise</li> <li data-start="5213" data-end="5235">Active participation</li> <li data-start="5238" data-end="5272">Commitment to the Council&#8217;s work</li> <li data-start="5275" data-end="5320">Need for continuity and balanced membership</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h1 data-start="5327" data-end="5353">Expected Time Commitment</h1> <p data-start="5355" data-end="5457">The Council has been designed to accommodate busy senior leaders while ensuring meaningful engagement.</p> <p data-start="5459" data-end="5553">Members should expect to contribute approximately <strong data-start="5509" data-end="5541">three to five days each year</strong>, including:</p> <ul data-start="5555" data-end="5776"> <li data-start="5555" data-end="5644">Two formal Council meetings annually: <ul data-start="5597" data-end="5644"> <li data-start="5597" data-end="5618">One virtual meeting</li> <li data-start="5621" data-end="5644">One in-person meeting</li> </ul> </li> <li data-start="5645" data-end="5677">Reviewing background materials</li> <li data-start="5678" data-end="5714">Providing written or verbal advice</li> <li data-start="5715" data-end="5776">Participating in occasional consultations or working groups</li> </ul> <p data-start="5778" data-end="5892">The in-person meeting may be held alongside the Continental Immunization Forum or another major continental event.</p> <h1 data-start="5899" data-end="5929">What Members Will Contribute</h1> <p data-start="5931" data-end="6005">CIAC members will help shape Africa&#8217;s immunization agenda by contributing:</p> <ul data-start="6007" data-end="6465"> <li data-start="6007" data-end="6053">Strategic guidance on continental priorities</li> <li data-start="6054" data-end="6103">Leadership in solving implementation challenges</li> <li data-start="6104" data-end="6161">Advocacy to keep immunization high on political agendas</li> <li data-start="6162" data-end="6204">Recommendations on sustainable financing</li> <li data-start="6205" data-end="6264">Advice on reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children</li> <li data-start="6265" data-end="6328">Support for integrating immunization into primary health care</li> <li data-start="6329" data-end="6395">Oversight through progress reviews and accountability mechanisms</li> <li data-start="6396" data-end="6465">Strategic influence through professional and institutional networks</li> </ul> <h1 data-start="6472" data-end="6498">Application Requirements</h1> <p data-start="6500" data-end="6586">Interested individuals should submit an <strong data-start="6540" data-end="6574">Expression of Interest package</strong> containing:</p> <ul data-start="6588" data-end="6818"> <li data-start="6588" data-end="6607">A brief biography</li> <li data-start="6608" data-end="6818">A letter of interest describing: <ul data-start="6645" data-end="6818"> <li data-start="6645" data-end="6666">Relevant experience</li> <li data-start="6669" data-end="6693">Professional expertise</li> <li data-start="6696" data-end="6735">Motivation for serving on the Council</li> <li data-start="6738" data-end="6818">Specific contributions they would make to advancing immunization across Africa</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p data-start="6820" data-end="6966">Africa CDC emphasizes that applicants should possess a strong sense of urgency and commitment to improving immunization outcomes on the continent.</p> <h1 data-start="6973" data-end="6992">Selection Process</h1> <p data-start="6994" data-end="7033">Applications will be assessed based on:</p> <ul data-start="7035" data-end="7219"> <li data-start="7035" data-end="7055">Leadership profile</li> <li data-start="7056" data-end="7077">Technical expertise</li> <li data-start="7078" data-end="7103">Professional experience</li> <li data-start="7104" data-end="7129">Regional representation</li> <li data-start="7130" data-end="7146">Gender balance</li> <li data-start="7147" data-end="7219">Overall composition needed for an effective and representative Council</li> </ul> <p data-start="7221" data-end="7371">Africa CDC aims to establish a diverse, influential, and action-oriented advisory body capable of advancing immunization across all regions of Africa.</p> <h1 data-start="7378" data-end="7400">Why You Should Apply</h1> <p data-start="7402" data-end="7542">Serving on the Continental Immunization Advisory Council offers an opportunity to influence the future of immunization policy across Africa.</p> <p data-start="7544" data-end="7731">Members will help shape continental strategies, strengthen health systems, improve vaccine equity, and contribute to protecting millions of lives through stronger immunization programmes.</p> <p data-start="7733" data-end="7914">If you are an experienced leader or expert committed to advancing public health and immunization in Africa, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact at the continental level.</p> <p style="text-align: center;" data-start="7733" data-end="7914"><a href="https://tools.africacdc.org/africacdcrc/surveys/?s=TPYPWWRHA7JHTATT&amp;_gl=1*1aeie9t*_ga*ODYyODk5MTY1LjE3ODMzNTgyNTg.*_ga_PMWN3ZFGKF*czE3ODMzNjc4MjkkbzIkZzAkdDE3ODMzNjc4MjkkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Apply Here </strong></a></p> <p data-start="7916" data-end="7971">For more information on this opportunity, visit <a href="https://africacdc.org/opportunity/call-for-expressions-of-interest-membership-of-the-africa-cdc-continental-immunization-advisory-council/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here</strong></a></p> <p data-start="7916" data-end="7971">Discover more global opportunities on OFY, click <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here </strong></a></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/07/06/africa-cdc-opens-applications-for-the-continental-immunization-advisory-council-ciac-2026-2028/">Africa CDC Opens Applications for the Continental Immunization Advisory Council (CIAC) 2026–2028</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>