Home-based: Immunization Supply Chain Management Consultant (144 working days with travel as needed) - Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy 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, dedication.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

A well-functioning supply chain is essential for the success of the immunization programmes with effective stock management at its heart. However, an analysis of global data indicated that most low and middle-income countries performed below the minimum standard for adequate vaccine stock management. Recent data by WHO and UNICEF show that each year at least one-third of countries experience one or more vaccine stock-outs lasting for at least one month or more.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent massive global vaccination drive bring supply chain strengthening including stock management to a new level of urgency and offer a unique opportunity to ensure quality and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and strengthen and enhance the routine immunization (RI) supply chain and stock management practices.

Against this backdrop, UNICEF, WHO and Gavi launched a joint initiative under Thrive360 to strengthen stock management capacities, encourage feedback loops, leverage existing systems, and integrate data sources in one platform. The aim is to enable national and other partners to have relevant, reliable, and updated information for data-driven planning and decision-making in one place.

Furthermore, for strengthening of immunization supply chains there is a need to support the countries in operationalization of procured cold chain equipment, its maintenance as well as in development and implementation of longer-term maintenance and decommissioning arrangements and capacities for effective management of CCE. In addition, waste management of vaccines, supplies and CCE needs a special attention to ensure proper implementation and correct interpretation of the wastage policy.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Immunization Specialist and in close coordination with the Regional Procurement Services Specialist and the Regional T4D Specialist, the consultant will support the collection, review, quality assurance, analysis and visualization of vaccine stock data from respective country offices including follow up on wastage and expiration of vaccines, proper implementation of wastage policy, provision of support to establish efficient CCE management and maintenance.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Immunization Specialist and in close coordination with the Regional Procurement Services Specialist and the Regional T4D Specialist, the consultant will:

1. Support the Regional Office in the collection, quality-assurance and analysis of COVID-19 and routine vaccine stock and consumption data on monthly bases; monitoring of C-19 vaccines and immunization supplies shipments and vaccines expiration; monitoring of submissions of vaccine arrival reports and ensuring their timely submissions. Support countries to review and assess data quality to identify gaps and discrepancies, draw recommendations, support countries to develop improvement plans to enhance vaccine stock management, if required, and track progress on monthly basis with feedback to the countries.
2. Map the countries best practices on waste management of vaccines and immunization supplies and support the countries in cross-country learning. Follow up on potential wastage of vaccines, pro-actively flagging the issues to the countries and provide solutions to ensure proper management of potential wastage including support to the countries for implementation and correct interpretation of the wastage policy. To collaborate with countries to implement guidance/SOPs on vaccine wastage and increase capacity of healthcare workers on proper vaccine handling and storage practices.
3. Follow up and map existing CCE maintenance arrangements in ECA priority countries to support them in development of longer-term maintenance and decommissioning SOPs/plans and enhance capacities for efficient management of CCE. Support the countries in exchange of best practices as related to CCE maintenance.
4. Support countries in development and implementation of supply and cold chain improvement plans based on Effective Vaccine Management assessment. To support adjustment of the EVM app questionnaire/check list for routine application within immunization supportive supervision programme.
5. Support Vaccine Management Specialists or other country focal points in strengthening vaccine monitoring mechanisms by facilitating cross-learning and experience sharing. Organize, conduct and/or support capacity building activities and provide remote on-the-job training to country office focal points, if needed.
6. Work closely with digital consultant to support countries to apply digital solutions for immunization supply system.
7. Produce infographics, presentations, and other visual information products to strengthen data-driven planning and decision making at the Regional Office, across partners and country offices, when required.
8. Develop strong partnerships/networks with relevant stakeholders (GAVI, WHO, MoPHs, national EPI agencies, UNICEF country and field offices, donors and other relevant stakeholders). This includes the regular exchange of information and cross-validation of data.
9. Any other relevant activities in consultation and discussion with the supervisor(s) without deviating from the scope of this consultancy, to accommodate emerging needs and priorities in the immunization sector. Regular consultations with supervisors should allow for adjustments in activities to address urgent challenges and support countries effectively.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks / Milestone******Deliverables / Outputs******Timeline / DeadlineStock managementAnalysis report of COVID-19 and routine vaccine stock and consumption data with improvement plan for enhancing vaccine stock management in countries after completion to follow-up on monthly bases.12 working days;

By 30 November 2023

Cold Chain EquipmentComprehensive document mapping existing CCE maintenance procedures in priority countries. Developed SOPs for CCE maintenance for priority countries. Knowledge exchange report showcasing best practices in CCE maintenance.24 working days;

By 31 December 2023

Stock managementReport on assessment of existing stock management information systems in priority Mid-Income countries and recommendation improvement plan.24 working days;

By 30 January 2024

EVM Improvement PlansImprovement plans based on EVM assessment. Developed tailored EVM app questionnaire/checklist for routine application.24 working days;

By 28 February 2024

Waste ManagementDocumented best practices on vaccine and supplies waste management. Report on vaccine wastage policies and implementation progress with country-specific gaps, and recommendations for improvement.24 working days;

By 30 April 2024

Cross-learningCross-learning report highlighting shared experiences on Vaccine Management.6 working days;

By 30 May 2024

Digital SolutionsReport outlining the application digital solutions for immunization supply systems with improvement of stock management, including of VLMIS, TRIVE 360 and ISC tools.12 working days;

By 30 July 2024

VisualsInfographics, presentations, and visual information products for data-driven planning.6 working days;

By 31 August 2024

Emerging NeedsReport showcasing adaptive actions taken in response to emerging needs and challenges.12 working days;

By 30 September 2024

Estimated Duration of the Contract

144 working days (between October 2023 and September 2024)

Consultant's Work Place and Official Travel

The assignment will be home-based.

As part of this assignment, an estimate of five (5) missions are expected. The consultant will arrange her/his travel as and when they take place, and related costs will be reimbursed per UNICEF travel policy.

Travel Clause

• All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants apply.
• All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.
• The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid UN BSAFE certificate, obligatory inoculation(s) and have a valid own travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Please submit a financial offer (in USD) in your application based on 144 working days to undertake this assignment. Please do not include travel fees as this will be reimbursed as and when they take place.

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

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Masters in Information Management, Business administration, Statistics, M&E, Supply Chain Management, Cold Chain, Logistics or Public Health, Machine learning or other relevant field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in information management, statistics, immunization logistics and supply and cold chain management is required.
• Experience in setting up vaccine stock management information systems - required.
• Experience working in middle-income (implementing) countries.

Skills and attributes desired:

• Experience in waste management an asset.
• Knowledge of and experience with countries in the Eastern European, Central Asia regions and Caucasus is an asset.
• Experience working in the UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Familiarity with emergency response is an asset.
• Demonstrated strong competencies of a subject matter expert in supply chain management.
• Demonstrated strong communication, presentation and writing skills are essential.
• Strategic thinking and critical analysis.
• Commitment and drive, with a clear focus on results.
• Creative and innovative.

Languages:

• Fluency in English -- written and verbal -- is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most marginalized children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family 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:

Please include a full CV and Financial Proposal in your application. Additionally, indicate your availability and professional fee (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.