Cold Chain & Vaccine Management Technician (Individual Contractor for PNG nationals only)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, Health.

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference?

The individual contractors (technicians) will help in strengthening the cold chain systems through technical support to the Provinces, through repair, maintenance and installation of the cold chain equipment and at the same time build the capacity of cold chain logistic officers/technicians/biomedical technicians, and health workers through mentoring and coaching to enhance their skills in the management of the cold chain systems. Also, these technical supports will enable the two newly established regional vaccines stores and the national store through day to day effective vaccine management.

Based at the National vaccine store and Regional Vaccine stores, the technicians will work with the Area Medical store manager, Director Public Health, Provincial EPI focal points and provincial cold chain logisticians (PCCLO) to provide technical support to the Regional cold chain store, Provincial Health Authority and NGOs in the planning and implementation of cold chain systems improvement plan.

Under the direct supervision of the Immunization Specialist UNICEF Papua New Guinea, and technical guidance of the Cold Chain Officer in the UNICEF CO, the key tasks will be:

• To review and monitor the cold chain equipment inventory and functionality at provincial and health facility and identify the equipment which needs repair and maintenance.
• To prepare the comprehensive list of spare parts to support the repair and maintenance of faulty cold chain equipment's based on the assessment and cold chain inventory reports.
• To provide technical assistance and hands-on support in the installation of all new equipment (including solar direct drive refrigerators).
• Facilitate the repair and preventive maintenance of cold chain equipment and generators for running the cold chain stores in Papua New Guinea.
• To assess the skills of frontline health workers and NGO volunteers on repair, maintenance and installation of cold chain equipment's and support training activities at provincial and district levels for cold chain technicians, assistants, and logistics assistants for SIAs and routine EPI.
• To provide technical support to the provinces to improve skills in maintaining adequate and up-to-date records of all cold chain equipment inventories, vaccines/accessories supplied and distributed at province, district, and health facility level.
• Monitors the status of all incoming and outbound immunization related supplies, correspond with NDOH and AMS vaccine store pertaining to the status of the supplies and ensures that the expected date of arrival of goods are communicated well in advance and ensures that goods are received in good condition and correct quantity;
• Preparing a report on the results of repair, maintenance and installation of equipment sharing in stakeholders meetings at Provincial and national level.

As a champion for every child, you will have…

• Diploma in electrical, cold chain, freezing and relevant discipline.
• A minimum of 3******-5 years of relevant professional experience in
• Working experience with EPI programs, cold chain management, Effective Vaccine Management (EVM), conduct of training, repair and installation of refrigerators of various types including electric, solar, and absorption/gas refrigerators
• Experience of working with UN organizations, international NGOs and institutions on EPI will be an asset.
• Ability to demonstrates and share detailed technical knowledge and expertise and writing skills
• Familiarization and substantial experience in Papua New Guinea are an added bonus
• Demonstrated ability to work and effectively communicate in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships
• Adaptability working in difficult environment with issues on security and willingness to travel to provinces, district and health facilities
• Fluency in English and computer literacy

For every Child, you demonstrate…

our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability.

This position is a short-term consultancy project and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization. For full Terms of Reference, you may email [email protected]

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.