Consultant on Immunisation for Children

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and gender parity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

Although Europe and Central Asia Region has the highest immunization coverage rates in the world, the recent pandemic set back immunization coverage even in this Region. The data indicate that a remarkable decline in immunization coverage, specifically in vaccination against measles, is noted in the countries of the Western Balkan region. The situation is particularly unfavourable when it comes to covering children with the MMR1 vaccine, due to increased hesitancy, which makes the epidemiological situation sensitive, causing potentials and outbreaks, spreading the disease.

In order to obtain a high level of commitment to address problems in the routine immunization coverage of children in the Western Balkan Region countries, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia requested UNICEF’s support to organize the Subregional Conference on Routine Immunization of Children. The Conference will result in signing the Belgrade Statement on supporting routine immunization – a document which will demonstrate strong engagement of health authorities from the Western Balkans countries (Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia) for strengthening the immunization systems. The Statement will rely on the relevant global and regional UNICEF and WHO immunisation frameworks defined in the following documents: Immunization Agenda 2030, Measles and Rubella Strategic Framework (MRSF 2021–2030), Roadmap for Health and Well-being in the Wester Balkans (2021-2025).

In addition to Western Balkan countries, the Conference will host high-level representatives from the ministries of health of Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Türkiye, who will share their experiences in implementing immunization programs from the perspective of EU member country and Türkiye. The second day of the Conference will be dedicated to technical teams and will result in the preparation of the country-specific and joint subregional action points that can support the commitments set by the Ministries of Health.

Work Assignment Overview:

Under the supervision of the UNICEF’s Head of Health and ECD Section, the Consultant will support the UNICEF Office in Serbia and the Ministry of Health in effective organization of the Conference, resulting in high quality results, by providing relevant technical inputs throughout the preparation, implementation and conference follow-up/reporting.

The consultant will support the Conference preparatory process which includes liaising and coordination with the designated officials from UNICEF and WHO, as well as drafting Conference documents (Conference Statement, Concept Note, Agenda, instructions for participation of country delegations and other documents). The consultant will also be tasked to facilitate relevant sessions of the conference, as well as to prepare the final report.

Duration of the assignment: October – November 2023 (part-time, remote)

Task description:

1. Draft/finalise relevant documents in the preparatory phase of the Conference on Routine Immunization of Children, in consultation with relevant UNICEF and WHO offices, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia.
2. Support UNICEF’s engagement in communication with UNICEF regional office and WHO offices around the preparation of delegations from invited countries for smooth participation in the Conference.
3. Provide technical input during the Conference where relevant and prepare the final report of the Conference with recommendations for follow-up action.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• A master’s degree in the field of Public Health and Health Management.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in areas related to children’s rights, public health, and/or health management.
• High expertise in the field of children immunization with full familiarity with international/regional frameworks, and a special focus on the situation in Serbia and ECA Subregion, including working experience in immunization.
• Proven capacity to work with international organizations and high-level officials.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting or facilitating meetings and/or conferences.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Experience in working within UNICEF or other UN/international entities and/or familiarity with the work of UNICEF is an asset.
• Fluency in both Serbian and English are required.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing an all-inclusive sum for the whole assignment.

Important notes:

• Please do not forget to specify your name in the financial proposal file while saving (to be uploaded online under the “Financial Proposal” tab).
• Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a” or “00" under the fee-related questions in the online application form.
• Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.