Health Officer (Vaccine Management) (NO-2), Kabul, Afghanistan

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Care

Working for UNICEF: https://youtu.be/43aiG4w2q_M?t=2

UNICEF in Afghanistan: https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/

How can you make a difference?

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

6. Support to programme development and planning

• Ensures the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective Immunization programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation. Drafts sound Immunization programme budgets for review by the supervisor, ensuring the accuracy and appropriateness of data and coding. Drafts updated project status reports.
• Assembles and provides updated data and information on national immunization programme (including COVID-19) and on financial/administrative status for monitoring, and analysis. Analyzes the programme status and recommends appropriate adjustments as necessary
• Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process
• Conduct and update the situation analysis for the development, design and management of immunization related programmes. Research and report on development trends (e.g. political, social, economic, health/immunization) for higher management use to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery of results.
• Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through analysis of immunization needs and areas for intervention and submission of recommendations for priority and goal setting.
• Ensure issues in vaccine management are identified and actively addressed at local and national level.
• Support revalidation of Supply Chain and Waste Management section of country National Deployment and Vaccination Plan (NDVP) for COVID-19.
• Support NLWG/EOCs to effectively manage the arrivals, storage, temperature monitoring and control during storage and distribution and redistribution, vaccine accountability, disposal and waste management for COVID-19 and routine vaccines.
• Plan, receive, store, deploy and monitor COVID-19 related logistics (UCC equipment, shippers) including waste management as per manufacturer’s guidelines.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations, and/or to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), and verify compliance with approved allocation and goals, organizational rules, regulations, procedures, as well as donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys, and share information with partners and stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, and best practices on Immunization related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results.
• Facilitate NLWG/EOC access to up-to-date stock management data including on forecast/actual quantities, stock-on-hand, consumption rates, expiry dates, open and closed vial wastage, critical operational challenges and data use for action.
• Lead the development of monthly vaccine accountability reports at national and subnational levels, including stock receipts, distribution, utilization, and wastage rates.
• Support the deployment or where exist the strengthening of vaccine inventory tools to automate data collection on vaccine arrivals, dispatch and closed vial wastage. Develop/adopt relevant SOPs and guidelines
• Update CCE inventories on quarterly basis. Document and follow-up UCC maintenance and waste management plans.
• Support vaccine forecasting, data triangulation of stock, consumption, and coverage at all levels of the supply chain, considering data use barriers and mitigation strategies.
• Support the country with targeted assessment and monitoring of iSC performance, especially with stock management, per EVM2.0 guidelines and iterative development and implementation of improvement plans within a cycle of continuous improvement

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with health sector government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and

• knowledge to enhance programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to deliver concrete and sustainable results.

• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fund raising for immunization programmes.

• Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) on immunization programmes to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of immunzation programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable immunization programme results.
• Assist with oversight of research and ensure results are available for use in knowledge products.
• Support the integration and deployment of Thrive360 and iDash as well as vaccine verification systems.
• Organize capacity development events and devise on-the-job training plans for key partners.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University degree required in relevant field (e.g., business planning, supply chain management, economics, international development studies, medicine, procurement, logistics, or other quantitative degree) (Advanced university degree is an added advantage)
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the local language is a requirement.

Experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

At least (3) years of experience in international public health programme management including at least three (3) years in immunization, with experience in low- and middle-income countries, preferably in the areas of:

• Logistics management systems
• Supply chain bottleneck and root cause analysis
• Familiarity with inventory policies, allocation, ordering and distribution strategies and other supply chain operations
• Health systems strengthening
• Assessing and measuring supply chain performance
• Experience interfacing with national ministries of health an advantage.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Proven experience in strategic negotiations and planning in multi-stakeholder settings
• Experience in writing complex strategic proposals, developing multi-year operational plans
• Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance
• Effective presenter including ability to adapt the message and visual aids for multiple audiences to deliver concise, impactful presentations
• Knowledge of supply chain management and operations
• Excellent analysis skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Proven track record in interfacing with national ministries of health a distinct advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Familiarity with ODK, U-Report, RapidPro and field data collection is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.