CONSULTANCY- Provide technical support to roll out activities in the approved EMRO Gavi Middle Income Countries (MICs) approach plan. Band B (lower end of range)

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

Provide technical support to roll out activities in the approved EMRO Gavi Middle Income Countries (MICs) approach plan.

2. Background

Immunization programmes aim at preventing morbidity and mortality attributable to vaccine preventable diseases by offering vaccines to the population, in accordance with established technical guidelines. The Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) emphasises on the need for countries to introduce new and underutilised vaccines. Middle Income countries (MIC) are lagging in introducing critical vaccines of public health importance. In this regard, Gavi 5.0/5.1 through its MIC approach provides a window of opportunity to eligible countries to reduce the equity gap by providing support towards introducing Rotavirus vaccine, vaccine against Human Papilloma virus (HPV) and Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV).

Political commitment is therefore essential for countries to take the step forward. Nonetheless, National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) whose responsibility is to advise the Minister of Health on all immunization policies are central to the decision-making process. In order to support countries in the Region drive this process (political commitment – NITAG strengthening – New vaccine introduction), additional human resource is needed in the Immunization Vaccine Preventable Disease and Polio Transition (IVP) unit of the Department of Communicable Diseases (DCD). The cost for which can be covered using the new Gavi MICs approach grant to WHO EMRO.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 02/10/2023

End date: 01/10/2024 with possibility of renewal

4. Work to be performed

Output 1****: Countries have policies in favour of New Vaccine Introduction (NVI)

- Deliverables 1: Organize in-country advocacy missions to increase political commitment to introduce new vaccines with Ministry of Health and other allied Ministries (example Ministry of Finance)

- Deliverables 2: Organize stakeholder in-country and consultative meetings to discuss the need for NVI

- Deliverables 3: Support countries to update their vaccination policy and immunization schedule in favour of life course vaccination

Output 2****: Institutional strengthening of NITAGs and NVI networking

- Deliverables 1: Build capacity of NITAG on roles and responsibilities, evidence to recommendation process

- Deliverables 2: Support NITAG to develop their annual plan of action with conduct of regular meetings

- Deliverables 3: Organize a workshop to sensitize Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and professional bodies on NVI

Output 3****: New vaccines introduced in EMR MICs by 2025

- Deliverables 1: Support MoH to develop action plan to introduce NVI

- Deliverables 2: Support WHO Country office and their respective Ministry of Health to prepare country specific Gavi MICs approach proposal

- Deliverables 3: Introduce and scale up NVI in at least two EMRO MICs by 2025

Output 4****: At least 80% of planned activities in EMRO Gavi MICs approach plan are implemented

- Deliverables 1: Monitor and evaluate EMRO Gavi MICs approach plan

- Deliverables 2: Prepare progress report and grant report for EMRO Gavi MICs approach plan

5. Specific requirements

- Qualifications required:

· Essential – University Degree in Medicine

· Desirable: Master’s degree in public health (MPH) or Epidemiologist

- Experience required:

· Essential:

o At least 5 years of experience working in the public health programs especially Immunization

o International experience

· Desired:

o Experience of working in new vaccine introduction in low- and middle-income countries

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Good knowledge on EPI, New Vaccine Introduction and functioning of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups process

• Excellent ability to provide sound technical advice, writing guidelines, developing plans and building capacities

• Knowledge on planning and implementation of high-level advocacy missions

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.

- Competences:

· Producing results

· Technical expertise

· Communication

- Language requirements:

· Essential: Expert knowledge of English

· Speaking and understanding Arabic will be an asset

6. Place of assignment

Cairo, Egypt

Medical clearance : The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.) All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information section

· This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

· Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

· Remuneration is in line with WHO consultant established rates

· Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO

· A written test may be used as a form of screening.

· If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

· For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

· WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

· WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

· Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

· WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

· Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.

· WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

· Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that: (a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated; (b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided; (c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.