Consultant - Vaccine Preventable Disease & Immunization

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Area of expertise:

Consultant: Vaccine Preventable Disease & Immunization

Purpose of consultancy

The international consultants are being recruited in providing technical support to Provincial Health Authority (PHA), Papua New Guinea in strengthening immunization system, enhancing routine immunization performances and surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases. The selected consultants are expected to be based in Autonomous Region of Bouganville, East Sepik, National Capital District, Western Highland provinces and to provide technical support to other provinces as requested.

Background

Routine immunization performance in Papua New Guinea is significantly low due to weak immunization system and risking resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases due to the population immunity gaps. The National Immunization Strategy 2021 – 2025 for Papua New Guinea clearly defines and prioritizes the government’s main objectives and strategies to strengthen the country’s immunization program which will also see a shift towards decentralization of the health system. In July 2022, WHO SAGE provided ‘Guiding Principles for Recovering, Building Resiliency, and Strengthening of Immunization in 2022 and Beyond’, which is essentially important for Papua New Guinea too. Both National Department of Health and WHO have agreed and identified that providing technical assistance to PHA is a key strategy in accelerating and achieving routine immunization vaccination coverage targets in PNG.

Deliverables

(i) Provincial health authorities are assisted in accelerating routine immunization through optimizing vaccination strategies;

a. Map districts with high number of Zero Dose Children and low routine performing districts using eNIHS and MR SIA 2023 data

b. Develop micro plans and integrated service delivery strategies to reach the priority targeted populations

c. Identify and establish model health facilities to improve routine immunization

d. Ensure vaccine availability at provincial and health facility level through best use of m-Supply and EVM-2 tools

e. Facilitate quarterly review system to monitor and evaluate immunization programme performances using M&E tool kit and eNIHS data

f. Health facility-based training for staff on micro-planning, vaccine management, data management and communication using WHO/UNICEF training modules

Above (a), (b), (c) to be completed by mid-2024, while (d), (e), (f) to carry out throughout the contract period

(ii) Provincial health authorities are assisted in strengthening vaccine preventable disease (VPD) surveillance and response to VPD outbreaks.

a. training of provincial disease surveillance team in VPD surveillances and VPD outbreak response

b. Conduct quarterly hospital-PHA joint review on VPD surveillance

c. facilitate timely investigation of VPD outbreaks and laboratory specimen transfer from province to national referral laboratory

Above (a), (b), (c) to carry out throughout the contract period

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in health-related field

Desirable: Master’s degree in health-related field

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years relevant work experience (including international experience in developing countries) in immunization programme and VPD surveillance.

Desirable: Work experience in resource limited and security issues settings

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Skills and knowledge on immunization programme including vaccine and data management, vaccination campaign and vaccine preventable disease surveillance.

Desirable: Trainer of WHO Immunization Middle Level Management Training

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English

Location

Consultant will be stationed at the office of PHA in an assigned province: Autonomous Region of Bouganville, East Sepik, National Capital District, Western Highland provinces

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel within the country to cover the assigned provinces.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

a. Remuneration: Band level Bat US$7,000/month (US$350/day)

b. Living expenses is applicable with the DSA rate of the provinces assigned to

c. Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year):

22 months in two years period of 2024 - 2025

Additional Information:

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.
• 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.
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• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
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• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
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