COVID-19 and EPI Vaccination Awareness and Coverage monitoring Consultant

Overview

Provide technical support for COVID-19 response and routine immunization activities

You have:

• First University degree in medicine (M.D.) or MSc in relevant area is essential.
• Postgraduate degree in Public Health (MPH or PhD) is desirable.
• Up to 5 years of relevant experience in health data management or literature review is required.
• Work experience in vaccination, surveillance, and/or health network is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment is required.
• Excellent knowledge of technical advisory services in program related areas is required.
• Proven knowledge in project planning, design, monitoring, and evaluation is required.
• Excellent analytical skills are required.
• Excellent knowledge of English and local language is required.

1. Purpose of the Consultancy Provide technical support to the WCO/CD team, for activities and products primarily focused on the COVID-19 response and routine immunization. This will require working across technical units at WHO country office Iran, along with close engagement with national counterparts including MOHME and colleagues in the WHO regional offices and other key external stakeholders. Planning activities and prepare tools to 1) Organize background documents and assist documentation needed for EPI review in the post COVID-19 Era 2) Monitor COVID19 and other routine vaccination data, proving feedback to the national program 3) Support MoH in preparations for new vaccines introduction 2. Background After More than 2 years of first cases of COVID-19 and mass vaccination of people, the COVID-19 remains a global problem in terms of time to time resurge of the disease and problems caused by the outbreak. By the introduction of the vaccines in January 2021, countries started mass vaccinations to reach a desirable population wide immunity. Many of the vaccines were approved in emergency situations to fasten the control of Covid-19 and their safety is still being studied. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significant health system weaknesses and vulnerabilities specially regarding Immunization plan. It is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has also caused disruptions in the routine immunizations resulting in the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. On the other hand, The Vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programme entered a new decade with the “Immunization Agenda 2030 - A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind” (IA 2030) addressing key challenges in immunization for the coming years. So, revising the immunization road map to align it with IA 2030 and strengthening the national immunization program is needed. To increase vaccine coverage, and to ensure maintaining coverage of Covid-19 and other EPI vaccines WHO is planning to support National Programme of Immunization in: 1. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of an immunization programme at national, subnational, and service-delivery levels, through An EPI Review. 2. Develop New Vaccines Introduction Plans and finalizing proposal to GAVI for support on inclusion of Rotavirus and Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV) in the National EPI routine This consultancy is to support EPI program in monitoring, analysis, and documentation of the above activities 3. Planned timelines: Start date 1 Oct 2023 End date: 31 Dec 2023 4. Work to be performed 1) Output 1: Review and compile background documents and develop documentation needed for EPI review in the post COVID-19 Era

Deliverable 1.1: Review, compile, and analyze background documents and develop consolidated and comprehensive documentation of EPI program

Deliverable 1.2: Develop and adapt relevant data collection, monitoring, analysis tools, and guidelines as needed.

Deliverable 1.3: Plan and organize coordination meetings and field visits.

Deliverable 1.4: Undertake key monitoring activities to the programme; work in close coordination with different internal and external stakeholders at HQ, regional review team, national team, province, and district levels to ensure that the program is implemented as planned

Output 2: Monitoring COVID19 and other routine vaccination data, providing feedback to the national program. Deliverable 2.1: Review, compile, and analyze information of COVID-19 vaccination coverage especially for the high priority groups, and social listening on COVID-19 and other EPI vaccines in Iran especially among some key populations (migrants, refugees and those hard to reach). Deliverable 2.2: Actively engage with MoHME partners and other UN agencies in increasing vaccine coverage and VPD diseases outbreak mitigation among some key populations (migrants, refugees and those hard to reach).

Deliverable 2.3: Participate in webinars and virtual meetings of the World Health Organization and global partners on COVID-19 and other vaccination, and provide comprehensive summary, feedback, and recommendations to the national program. Deliverable 2.4: Provide technical support for the integration of COVID-19 vaccination in EPI and other PHC programmes. Output 3: Provide technical support to MoH in preparations for new vaccines introduction Deliverable 3.1: Submit a final introduction plan in coordination with MoHME/EPI and NITAG and follow up with MOHME on GAVI support for introduction of PCV and Rota Deliverable 3.2: Submit a road map for strengthening Rota Surveillance system

5. Specific requirements Education: Essential: First University degree in medicine (M.D.) or MSc in relevant area Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Public Health e.g. MPH or PhD in relevant fields Experience Required: Up to 5 years of relevant experience in working with health data management or literature review. Desirable: -Work experience in vaccination, surveillance and/or health network - Work experience with WHO - Skills / Technical skills and knowledge: Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, within and outside the organization; Excellent knowledge of technical advisory services in program related areas and the health systems; Proven knowledge in project planning, design, monitoring and evaluation and management; Excellent presentation and negotiation skills; Excellent analytical skills - Language requirements: Excellent knowledge of English and local language 6. Place of assignment Tehran, Iran. The consultant is supposed to work at both WCO office as instructed by the Responsible Officer. Frequently work from home or other modalities may be applied as per business continuity plans regarding COVID-19 epidemic situation in the country or other emergencies. 7. Medical clearance The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8. Travel The Consultant is not expected to travel unless coordinated by WCO. 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.

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

· The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

· An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility 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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• 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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Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int