Consultancy Title: Data Manager, MENA RO

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

Contract

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LOCATION/DURATION:

• Duration: 11.5 months as a blanket contract with flexibility to work on different deliverables in a staggered manner within this duration
• Location: Amman, Jordan with possibility to travel to priority countries if situation allows
• Off-site working days: for the first set of deliverables, a duration of 40 working days of remote support is planned (from home) with possibility to travel to Amman (if situation allows)
• Field Missions/Travel: Travel to the regional office in Amman and countries in the Region if required and if situation allows.
• Estimated Start Date: 15 March 2021
• Estimated end Date: 28 Feb 2022
• Reporting to: Senior Immunization Specialist, MENA regional office

1. BACKGROUND:

The key goal of the Immunisation Agenda 2030 is to make vaccination available to everyone, everywhere, by 2030. The Gavi 5.0 also has placed a lot of emphasis on zero-dose and under-immunised children and communities. The zero-dose children/communities are the most vulnerable children. Communities with zero-dose and high unvaccinated/under vaccinated children are the ones that are disproportionately bear the burden of vaccine preventable diseases. The benefits of immunisation are unevenly shared: coverage varies widely among and within countries. Some populations – often the poorest, the most marginalized and the most vulnerable, in fragile, conflict-torn settings – have poor access to immunisation services. Globally each year, 20 million infants[i] do not receive a full course of even basic vaccines, and many more miss out on newer vaccines. Of these, over 13 million receive no vaccines through immunization programmes – the “zero dose” children

Data collected by the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and the Sabin Vaccine Institute showed that country lockdowns measures had substantially hindered the delivery of immunization services in at least 68 countries, putting approximately 80 million children under the age of 1 at increased risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases[ii]. Understanding the severity and potential negative consequences of immunization service disruptions, including the possible resurgence of measles outbreaks, requires taking stock of trends in immunization coverage prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes looking at global trends, regional patterns, and variations across countries. Such baseline information provides the needed backdrop for tackling the risk that COVID-19 will turn back the clock on the success of immunization programmes around the world

In MENA region and in 2019, more than 1 out of 11 million surviving infants in the region did not receive the three recommended doses of DTP vaccine, 14 out of 21 countries in the region have reached and sustained the target coverage of 90% or above for DTP3 for the past three years. On measles, and in 2019, the regional coverage of MCV1 was 89% compared to the global target of 95%[iii].

The regional office MENARO is supporting countries in the region on health system strengthening overall and in particular with strengthening immunisation systems, evidence generation and evidence -based decision making not only to develop practical strategies to improve immunisation coverage and equity but also for advocacy and resource mobilisation for children so that national immunisation programmes achieve their national goals as part of the broader goals under PHC and UHC.

Data plays an important role on the work of advocacy and evidence-based decision making. With this objective in mind, developing country-specific profile highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the different workstreams under immunisation will be critical to have in order to guide informed action and planning to address these bottlenecks.

2. SCOPE OF THE WORK AND OBJECTIVE:

UNICEF MENARO is looking for an individual consultant to analyze existing evidence on the performance of routine immunisation systems, including coverage and inequities in immunisation as well as other health and immunisation system indicators such as immunisation financing, financial sustainability as well as immunization supply chain.

While the health and immunization team in the regional office is providing the overall technical support to countries and coordinating with partners to support health system strengthening and immunisation programming in the region, yet, and because of the unavailability of specialized skills on data management at the regional level, unprecedented situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and compounded with the urgency needs to provided technical support to all countries in the region in planning and roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine, the RO would require to have dedicated consultancy to support immunization team in developing country profile and evidence generation which will provide further guidance and prioritization on how to support countries.

The consultancy aiming at conducting analysis using existing relevant data (at global, regional and country levels) and use information gathered to develop country specific profiles and a consolidated regional profile in the area of immunisation.

3. DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:

1. Develop analysis methodology (objectives, areas for analysis; list of data required, and expected outcomes)
2. Gather historic immunisation system and equity associated data, including:

• Historic data from annual WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form (JRF) on immunisation and WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunisation Coverage (WUENIC) in 2010-2020;
• Relevant coverage and equity/gender data from the latest assessments and surveys such as Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) or Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), or other data sources;
• Diseases surveillance data on different vaccine preventable diseases mainly measles, rubella, Diphtheria, etc…
• District level immunisation data and analysis form WHO monitoring system and countries subnational level data;
• Historic data from Effective Vaccine Management Assessments when applicable;
• Countries’ cMYP, Annual implementation plan (AIP), etc…
• Country related databases, whenever accessible at global, regional and country levels.
• Identify the main system level bottlenecks affecting low immunizations system performance based on existing evidence and discussion with relevant countries

3. Consolidate, streamline and develop immunization database/s for future use;
4. Conduct analysis to measure the performance of routine immunisation systems, including main bottlenecks influencing immunisation performance, by working together with regional office team and UNICEF country offices;
5. Develop regional and country profiles for all (21) countries in the region on performance of routine immunisation systems and main bottlenecks influencing it.
6. Develop country measles and rubella-specific profile and risk assessment with focus on MCV1, MCV2 and dropout rates, leveraging surveillance data from WHO global, regional and country level database including data on vaccination status of measles and rubella cases, susceptible children.
7. Support the RO with data visualization, develop regional dashboard for country readiness indicators on COVID-19 vaccine deployment.
8. Based on the need from countries, the consultant may also be required to support priority countries identified jointly between RO and countries. This will be through onsite or remote support. This may include MENA countries but priority is to first focus on: Sudan, Syria, Djibouti, Tunisia, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.
9. Perform other type of analysis and development of country and regional profile for health system and other relevant programme under the health & Nutrition programme as needed.
10. KEY DELIVERABLES:

The contractor will on regular basis achieve the following

1. Methodology and tools for the analysis developed
2. Data analysis products (tables, charts)
3. Collect and gather data required for the assignment and from different sources at global, regional, and country level
4. 1st drafts of country profiles (coverage, equity and Immunisation Supply Chain Management, immunisation planning, immunisation financing, main bottlenecks for immunisation performance, etc.…)
5. 1st draft of measles and rubella-specific profile
6. Final version of the regional and country profiles for immunisation I general and measles & rubella specific profile
7. Provide support in developing and designing a regional SharePoint and dashboard for readiness indicators on COVID-19 vaccine deployment.
8. Develop a short report and guidance note on way forward on how to maintain and update the regional dashboard/SharePoint and the regional and country profile.
9. ESTIMATED DURATION OF CONTRACT:

This a blanket contract for a duration of 11.5 months with deliverables to be made in specific number of working days in each time. Total number of working days for the first set of deliverables is planned for 40 working days but all deliverables and tasks should take place between 15 March 2021 and 28 February 2022 including remote and onsite support (if needed), country visit, RO visit (if any) and report-writing time. Entitlements should be calculated based on actual number of days spent in each bock and for every set of deliverables which will also be defined based on the need for TA in the said area of support at country or regional level.

6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (IF APPLICABLE):

The consultant will be under the direct supervision of the Senior immunisation specialist and in close collaboration with the immunisation and health staff in the health section.

7. TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS : Mission travel (schedule/itinerary required):

Based on the need from countries, the consultant may also be required to support priority countries identified jointly between RO and countries. This will be through onsite or remote support. This may include MENA countries, but priority is to first focus on: Sudan, Syria, Djibouti, Tunisia, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.

For individual contractors and consultants, all travel arrangements to commence the assignment, including insurance and visas, will be managed and paid by the individual. Therefore, expected travel costs must be included as a budget item in the financial proposal. Should “mission travel” be required, UNICEF will manage and pay for travel via Travel Authorization. However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, the Basic and Advanced Security in the Field Trainings, Travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel cost shall be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org). The consultant must travel on UNICEF approved airlines.

8. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

8.1. Education:

· University degree in Public Health, health statistics, data sciences/systems or other relevant social sciences- mandatory;

· Training in epidemiology, diseases surveillance, equity, budgeting and costing is an asset

8.2. Work experience:

· At least five-year experience in public health/immunisation program – mandatory

· Good knowledge of immunisation programs and associated issues, particularly UNICEF/WHO global and regional priorities in immunization - desirable

· Experience in conducting data analysis and developing country profiles in the area of public health, preferably national immunization programme (relevant documentation required) - mandatory

· Experience in working with UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, other UN agencies, and other international partners -desirable

· Experience in writing highly professional English language reports and develop debriefing presentations; - mandatory

· Previous experience in in the region is an asset

8.3. Technical knowledge:

· Knowledge of UNICEF programme work with UNICEF Regional Offices and the work UNICEF ROs doses on immunisation

· Knowledge of UNICEF programme work in the MENA Region in the areas of immunization; including knowledge of strategic partners in the area of health and immunization

· Sound understanding and knowledge of technical aspects on Child Health and immunization services/programmes

· Sound understanding of maternal and child health, nutrition and development

· Sound understanding of child, women’s rights and gender mainstreaming

· Previous knowledge and experience in immunization costing and financing and planning particularly focusing on the cold chain and vaccines

· Knowledge on gender equality, equity and human rights programming

· Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance to teams in country and regional offices.

8.4. Competencies and language

· Strong analytical, oral & written communication skills

· Proven track record in project management.

· Effective facilitator with proven ability to engage and train a group of individuals (through an interpreter if necessary)

· Demonstrated ability to produce high quality, concise, analytical and insightful reports and presentations in English and French is an asset

· Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and external partners and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

· Demonstrated ability to work in a team

· Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas;

· Ability to take initiative and work with minimum supervision;

8.5. Language:

Fluency in English (Speaking, reading and writing) is required and fluency in Arabic and French is preferred and will be an added advantage for consideration.

9. CONSULTANT’S WORKPLACE:

Consultant will work with the region and perform the task remotely (from home) and will coordinate with the RO as needed and scheduled virtually. If the situation permits, the consultant may also travel to the RO in Amman for short and multiple visits during the contract period as per schedule and arrangement with RO.

10. PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Select proposed methodology By Deliverable (Payment upon deliverables/milestones):

UNICEF will only make milestone payment based on achievement of specific deliverables as listed on the table below. These payments should be stated in terms of percentage. Also note that UNICEF does not make advance payment except under certain conditions in line with UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations.

Work Schedule/deliverables

Expected deliverables

number of days

% of Payment

Develop tools and methodology for the analysis

Methodology and tools

5 working days

10%

Data exploration and collection

Gathering and collection of immunisation Database

15 working days and ongoing till end of the assignment

Data analysis

1. Data analysis products (tables, charts)
2. 1st drafts of country profiles (coverage, equity and Immunisation Supply Chain Management, immunisation planning, immunisation financing, main bottlenecks for immunisation performance, etc.…)
3. 1st draft of measles and rubella-specific profile

10 working days

40%

Refine data analysis, products and finalise country and regional profiles

Regional and country profiles for immunisation and measles & rubella specific

5 working days

50%

Coordinate with health, S&L, and C4D sections to support developing and designing a regional SharePoint and dashboard for readiness indicators on COVID-19 vaccine deployment.

• A SharePoint and dashboard with KPIs on readiness for COVID-19 vaccine deployment is finalised
• Short report and guidance note on the way forward and how to maintain the regional dashboard and the regional and country profile

5 working days

Total working days

40 working days

Performance indicators:

• Timely delivery as per above timeline

• Quality of analysis and the produced materials

  UNICEF will only make milestone payment based on achievement of specific deliverables as listed on the table above. These payments should be stated in terms of percentage. Also note that UNICEF does not make advance payment except under certain conditions in line with UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations.

11. EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote as lump sum for professional fees, and lump sum for travel/administrative/subsistence, if applicable.
3. CV
4. Examples of previous, relevant work as applicable
5. 3 Referees
6. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html ).

Late submissions, incomplete packets, or submissions will not be considered.

“UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.”

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[i] Immunisation Agenda 2030

[ii] https://data.unicef.org/resources/immunization-coverage-are-we-losing-ground/

[iii] Immunization Regional Snapshot 2019 Middle East and North Africa

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Added 3 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org