Immunization Specialist - Vaccine Management, NOC, Islamabad, Pakistan

Contract

This is a NO-3 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-3 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world toughest places, to reach the world most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil 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, Immunization!

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among other things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilisers, communities and families, and of course the children and adolescents themselves.

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives -- being in good health, immunized, protected from polio and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website www.unicef.org/pakistan and videos on YouTube and Vimeo

One of UNICEF core supports to strengthen immunization activities in Pakistan is in the area of cold chain and vaccine management which the bedrock of an effective immunization system. The increasing challenges under which immunization is being undertaken occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and underscores the need to continue strengthening the immunization supply chain system (iSC) to make it resilience in responding to the changing working environment to deliver safe and potent vaccines to children.

Pakistan is one of the countries benefiting from for GAVI COVAX facility to combat the pandemic in addition to numerous SIAs and introduction of new vaccines which further emphasize the need for additional support from UNICEF to support government in undertaking these additional multiple activities. In addition, the Full Portfolio Planning (FPP) is ongoing with lots of responsibilities expected to be taken up by UNICEF. The vaccine Immunization Specialist – Vaccine Management position would straighten UNICEF capacity to support the country in improving its immunization supply chain infrastructure for effective service delivery.

To make a difference you will be accountable for the following key duties & tasks:

1. Assist Immunization Specialist in adapting Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) practices in Pakistan supporting the implementation of comprehensive plan of action to improve vaccine cold chain leading to effective planning, rollout, and monitoring of, FPP, continuous support to COVAX and SIAs campaigns across all levels of implementation.
2. Under the guidance of supervisor using the EVM standards and SOPs, assist to develop locally appropriate SOPs for vaccine management, tools and assist in planning training for Federal, Provincial and District Cold chain managers and vaccine handlers to implement SOPs. This should include assisting in planning appropriate vaccine stock management systems for tracking vaccines and monitoring wastage.
3. Assist in development of CCEOP application as an outcome of the FPP including monitoring implementation plans and follow-up where necessary for all cold chain equipment installation related activities to ensure norms are followed and sustained.
4. Provide regularly: consolidated immunization data including stock management & unitization of vaccine with waste data for programme planning and management to supervisor and assist in monitoring and evaluation at Federal/Provincial/District levels for support to strengthen routine EPI services.
5. Assist supervisor to develop and maintain standard list of vaccine cold chain equipment with technical specification for all level of facilities and help in preparing annual cold chain replacement plans.
6. Under the supervision of Immunization Specialist plan & assist in conducting periodic assessment of vaccine cold chain and vaccine management practices in the country. Provide regular reports by taking ongoing visits to UNICEF project sites, to assist supervisor in assessment of local conditions and resources, and monitors UNICEF inputs.
7. Assist in drafting relevant sections of reports (required for donors, management, annual reports, etc.), evaluates and analyzes financial and supply reports to ensure appropriateness of documentation, expenditures are within allotments. Reports to the Supervisor and/or Head of Office the outcome of reviews.
8. Participate as may be required in logistics/cold chain and vaccine management meetings and other technical cooperation meetings when assigned.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or above) in one of the following fields is required: Engineering, Public health, Sciences, or any other supply chain related field.
• *A first University Degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in supply chain management out of which at National/Provincial level in Government sector in immunization.
• A professional experience in vaccine, cold chain and supply chain management would be an advantage.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2), Works Collaboratively with others (2), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2), Innovates and Embraces Change (2), Thinks and Acts Strategically (2), Drive to achieve impactful results (2), Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

View our competency framework at Competency Framework Brochure.pdf

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. Our contracts, benefits and wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.

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:

• Verified educational certificates/ HEC Attested Degrees are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF. During the recruitment process candidates will be required to present HEC attested degrees/certificates.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates will be prioritized.