Consultancy as Technical support to Ebola Virus disease and COVId-19 preparedness and response ( Open to Non-South Sudanese)

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Terms of Reference Title Technical support to Ebola Virus disease and COVId-19 preparedness and response Type of Contract Consultant

Duration Twenty (20) working days / month for the next three months. Start Date November 1st 2020

Background/Rationale for the Assignment

The health system in South Sudan is fragile, suffering from neglect due to years of conflict and other critical gaps in skilled manpower, capacity and infrastructure. This weak base has resulted in an elevated disease morbidity and mortality burden across the country. Communicable diseases remain a major public health challenge. Malaria is endemic across the country and nearly half (44%) of all children who seek medical attention will have malaria — many more will be infected but have minor symptoms. Malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia constitute about 77 percent of the total out-patient attendance for children under five. With regards to vaccine preventable diseases, vaccination coverage is still low with just over a third (39%) of children fully immunized against the main vaccine-preventable diseases. The fact that the country shares borders with six neighboring countries also raises the risk of spread of communicable diseases. The outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) over the western border with the DR Congo remains a constant threat to South Sudan despite the scope of prevention and control measures put in place over the past few months. According to the WHO Africa Situation report on emergencies in the Africa Region of week 39 (21 – 27 September 2020), there were 12 new confirmed cases in the first three weeks of September 2020, spread over half of the health zones in the affected areas in DR Congo. This brings the total number of cumulative cases in DR Congo to 124 since the onset of this outbreak, including 50 deaths. Furthermore, the health sector in South Sudan has been put under further strain by the Covid-19 outbreak, with disruptions in service delivery for end users. As of early October 2020, the estimate of 2,704 Covid-19 ( C-19) cases reported is likely to be an underestimation due to the limited testing in-country. It is expected that the outbreak will continue over the coming months before flattening out. The ever-present risk of importation and propagation of both EVD and C-19 call for continued vigilance, preparedness and response measures by UNICEF and all partners. Partnerships have to be continuously nurtured, technical capacity developed, along with the strengthening of logistic capacity and resources at all levels. It is proposed to recruit a consultant for three months to oversee and provide technical and supply assistance to the MOH and partners as envisaged in existing UNICEF and sector work plans addressing the persistent risks of both EVD and C-19. The Consultant will also support the section in evaluating medicine needs, forecasting and procurements for other ongoing interventions.

Purpose/task & Expected Results To coordinate and provide technical support for the planning, management and general oversight of the health component of UNICEF South Sudan’s multisectoral preparedness and response to public health emergencies including EVD and COVID -19, or any other emergency that may arise during the consultancy, within the framework of the UNICEF AWP and results, and current national preparedness and response efforts in country. Specific tasks include: a. Providing technical assistance and support to national and state level partners for the continued strengthening of Ebola Virus Disease and COVID-19 multisectorial preparedness and response measures, specifically for the continuous forecasting, procurement and rational use of supply assistance as recommended in global guidelines and detailed in existing work plans. b. Providing technical assistance and support to national and state level partners for the continued capacity building activities for health workers for both EVD and C-19 multisectorial response measures as recommended in global guidelines and detailed in existing work plans. c. Providing programmatic and technical guidance to the field offices and UNICEF IPs on how to better mainstream C-19 prevention and control interventions in regular programme interventions to enhance the continuity of services. d. Overseeing the monitoring of preparedness and response measures for both EVD and C-19 to ensure that standards for interventions are met, bottlenecks identified, and the proposal of timely and relevant solutions to UNICEF and key stakeholders for implementation. e. Participating in rapid needs assessments and joint field visits with relevant sector/partners, if and as needed. f. Supporting the health section to keep track of developments in the country and sector with regards to EVD and C-19, and advise on timely and relevant interventions as appropriate.

Qualifications and Competencies • Advanced university degree in public health, medicine plus a master's, MSc, PhD in public health or related field. • 5-8 years of progressively responsible experience in planning and implementing emergency programmes with either the UN, IO, and/or NGO. • Previous experience in Ebola outbreak preparedness and response required. • Fluency in English (verbal and written). Good written and spoken skills in the language of the humanitarian operation and knowledge of another UN language an asset. • Demonstrated skills to deliver in a stressful emergency environment, with tight deadlines and ability to establish harmonious and effective working relationships with partners. • Familiarity with humanitarian principles, policies and response actions.

Deliverables

Progress report on COVID -19: 4W matrix; local assessments; training (including on the job); field monitoring’ State coordination minutes; TWG meeting minutes; coordination issues and follow up actions; situation update; C-19 preparedness Action Tracker 20 working days (monthly) Monthly Progress report on Ebola Virus Disease: 4W matrix; local assessments; training (including on the job); field monitoring’ State coordination minutes; TWG meeting minutes; coordination issues and follow up actions; situation update; EVD preparedness Action Tracker 20 working days (monthly) Monthly Capacity for provision of essential MNCH services enhanced through regular review and updating of the MNCH Supply Tracker Ongoing Monthly (01 November 2020 – 31 January 2021) Effective and efficient management of health supplies in the WH through adequate monitoring and management of the supplies to avoid expiry Ongoing Monthly (01 November 2020 – 31 January 2021) Total Three months

All applications should be accompanied by a detailed technical and financial proposal, with a cover letter.

Estimated Duration of the Contract – 3 months

Duty Station and Official Travel - Juba

UNICEF Supervisor – Chief of Health

Travel Clause • All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply. • All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF. • The eligible maximum amount for travel is specified in the contract. • The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized. • Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will pay the applicable DSA rate and other travel related expenses upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation.

Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days - 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

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UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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 to become a part of the organization.

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.

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.