Consultant to provide technical support in the area of vaccine stock management

Contract

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UNICEF supports countries in achieving their national immunization goals. The achievement of these goals depends on having strong Immunization Supply Chains Management (ISCM) systems in place that are routinely assessed and improved through the comprehensive Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) Assessment. The objectives for ISCM are to achieve adequate supply for every immunization session without temperature damage and at the lowest possible cost per fully immunized child and make sure that vaccines are available thanks to strengthened stock management systems established in places at all supply chain levels. To implement this activity at country level, UNICEF CO is ready to provide technical assistance in line with EVM recommendations.

In September 2022, EVM assessment has been conducted in Kyrgyzstan jointly by WHO and UNICEF under WHO leadership and set of recommendations are related with the strengthening of stock management in immunization programme at all levels of supply chain (National and sub-national) in line with the latest UNICEF/WHO guidelines. Key summary of findings shows that improvements need to be done in the area of documentation, registration and reporting including reconsidering national guidelines regulating stock management as well as capacity building of health workers in more accurate calculation of vaccine needs to avoid overstock or understock. In this regard, UNICEF is ready to provide technical assistance to the the Ministry of Health (MoH)/Republican Center for immuneprophylaxis (RCI) to address these recommendations as a first initial implementation of Country Action Plan (CAP).

Scope of Work:

The scope of work is to be implemented in close cooperation with RCI and UNICEF in the area of stock management based on the latest WHO/UNICEF guidelines and recommendations, and in the area of digitalization of stock management.

Objective/purpose of the services

Within the technical area the consultant will provide support in the following:

• Review of national regulatory and reporting documents (Orders, SOPs, registration journals, etc.) related with stock management;

• Review of MoH Roadmap on digitalization of immunization information system and ensure discussion is held between relevant offices in order to use an agreed format for e-stock management;

• Technical support in determining contingency (buffer) stock levels to reduce fluctuations in demand and supply risks, and to maintain contingency stock at all levels of the immunization supply chain;

• Review of stock and temperature registration procedures and provide technical support to update documentation to ensure batch traceability at all levels of the immunization supply chain as well as including the the records of diluents along with the stocks of vaccines;

• Technical support in calculating the annual vaccine requirement using actual data on vaccine wastage, which can be obtained from Form 5 of regional reports and other sources;

• Support in preparing calculations for establishing maximum and minimum stock levels for vaccines and related supplies at each level of the supply chain (National, oblast and rayon);

• Provide training on key principles and procedures for vaccine management, ie policy on stock levels of vaccines and related supplies, diluent management and devices;

• Review of the distribution plan and methods to ensure evidence-based documentation that defines the needs of health care organizations considering available vaccine stocks in the field.

• Development of the draft of Product arrival report (PAR) for vaccines and other supplies for review by RCI and UNICEF and its finalization as per received comments;

Tasks/Milestone by October 30, 2023 (10% of total consultancy fee):

Review and introduction with EVM assessment report and other guiding documents.

EVM report and recommendations are reviewed;

• Review of national regulatory and reporting documents (Orders, SOPs, registration journals, etc.) related with stock management;

• Provide recommendations on stock management digitalization aligned with a National Roadmap;

• Draft of the working plan is developed and finalized with partners and UNICEF;

• Priorities are identified and agreed;

By November 20, 2023 (40% of fee)

Review procedures and all related documentations used for the records of the stock management

• Technical support to update documentation with reflection of batch traceability at all levels of the immunization supply chain is provided along with including the the records of diluents corresponding to the stocks of vaccines;
• Stock and temperature registration procedures are reviewed and recommendations on its updating are provided and updated if necessary;
• Calculation of the annual vaccine requirement based on actual data on vaccine wastage obtained from Form 5 of regional reports is done;
• Maximum and minimum stock levels for vaccines and related supplies at each level of the supply chain (National, oblast, rayon and service delivery points (PHC, maternity)) is established together with RCI based on WHO/UNICEF guidelines for further documentation;
• Visit to the sites of immunization supply chain (Oblast, rayon and service delivery) to get more information and review of the records, calculation and forecasting;
• Provide recommended format for estock management based on agreement with relevant offices on digital solutions and its functionality and provide other relevant recommendations ;
• Interim activity report is submitted

By December 20, 2023 (50% of the consultancy fee):

• 1,5 day Central training (ToT) on key principles&procedures and WHO/UNICEF guidelines for vaccine management, ie policy on stock levels of vaccines and related supplies, diluent management;
• Technical report with recommendations for Distribution plan and methods to ensure evidence-based documentation that defines the needs of health care organizations is reviewed and corrected if necessary based on the available vaccine stocks in the field;
• Development of the draft of Product arrival report (PAR) for vaccines and other supplies for review by RCI and UNICEF and its finalization as per received comments;
• Final report is submitted along with further recommendations;

Requirements:

• An Advanced University Degree in public health, supply chain or other health related area;

• At least 5-7 years of proven experience in international public health programme with focus on immunization program, vaccine and stock management;

• Experience in conducting EVM assessments and digitalization of stock management would be a strong asset;

• Excellent knowledge of immunization supply chain and latest WHO/UNICEF guidelines and recommendations;

• Knowledge of CIS public health system would be an asset;

Knowledge of languages: Fluent English and Russian

Personal characteristics:

o Have ability to communicate effectively

o Work well in a team with minimal instruction, good initiative and an ability to apply critical analysis;

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

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UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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:

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.