Individual Consultancy: International Consultant Effective Vaccine Management and Capacity Building Initiatives in Lao PDR

Contract

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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,

UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for an International Individual Consultancy: Effective Vaccine Management and Capacity Building Initiatives in Lao PDR.

The duration of this assignment is 11.5 months (Starting 1st May 2022 to 15th April 2023) and the consultant will be based in Vientiane, Lao PDR with intermittent travels to provinces/districts.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

# Under the supervision of Cold Chain Specialist, the consultant will be responsible for following tasks:

# -Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) Assessment:

# · Conduct orientation of Technical Working Group (TWG) group on EVM 2.0

# · Develop/update material for training of EVM assessors considering cold chain and vaccine management practices in Lao PDR and coordinate translation of material into local language using UNICEF LTAs

# · Coordinate with NIP (National Immunization Programme) team and ensure timely communication to provinces and districts regarding EVM training and assessment

# · Coordinate with NIP and Development partners to finalize list of participants for training and assessment

# · Prepare country set-up for EVM 2.0 assessment in coordination with UNICEF RO cold chain team. Add administrative units (provinces, regions, districts, etc.) and supply chain locations (vaccines stores and health facilities) in the set-up.

# · Assign EVM roles, facilitate sampling process for EVM Assessment, Shortlisting, and finalization of sample locations.

# · Facilitate training sessions in EVM training of assessors. Prepare field assessment team composition and plans. Support data cleaning and analysis.

# · Present the findings in TWG and facilitate Improvement plan development workshop and drafting of EVM improvement plans

# · Draft EVM report and coordinate review by NIP and development partners.

# -Capacity Building of Immunization staff at Provincial, District and Health Facility Level:

# · Work with Immunization officer and support development of cold chain and vaccine management training material (including covid-19 latest cold chain and vaccine management guidelines) for training of Immunization staff based at Provinces, district and at Health facility level.

# · Impart training sessions related to cold chain and vaccine management

# · Support review and development of cold chain and vaccine management modules

# -Development of e-Learning Toolkit

# · Work closely with Immunization Officer and facilitate development of eLearning toolkit (self-paced learning course) for capacity building of Immunization staff

# · Provide technical inputs and review of different modules in accordance with WHO-UNICEF guidelines for cold chain and vaccine management including covid-19 vaccine and cold chain requirements

# -Cold Chain Management Information System (MIS) and Supportive Supervision

# · Provide technical assistance for review and upgradation of current/existing cold chain dashboard (which is real-time) and other platforms where cold chain inventory is reported to build an effective and comprehensive MIS for cold chain inventory including provision for preventive maintenance

# · Review existing supportive supervision checklists and upgrade to include covid-19 indicators

# · Review and analyse the reported data and support development of monthly updates/dashboard on critical indicators

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

# Education:

# University degree, masters or above in any relevant field including, but not limited to: Public health, social science, engineering, or supply chain.

# Work experience:

# · Minimum five-year experience in Immunization Programme

# · Demonstrated experience of conducting EVM assessments, including work in developing countries

# · Experience in Immunization data handling and support analysis of monitoring and supportive supervision data

# · Proven expertise in providing training, implementing, and monitoring of immunization and/or health programs

# · Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and have the initiative to work independently to meet deadlines.

# · Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Understanding of Lao language would be an added advantage.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents:

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment with a breakdown by fee, living allowance and travel costs.

The deadline for applications is **31 March 2022***.*

Assessment Criteria:

Two stage procedure shall be utilized in evaluating proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared.

Applications shall therefore contain the following required documentation:

1. Technical Proposal, including a cover letter, updated CV, and copies of 2 relevant evaluations performed earlier by the consultant.

2. Financial Proposal: Lump-sum offer with the cost breakdown: Consultancy fee, travel costs (economy class), per-diem to cover lodging, meals, and any other cost related to the consultant's stay in Vientiane, including transportation inside the city and other costs. The travel (if involved) shall be based on the most direct and economy fare.

No financial information should be contained in the technical proposal.

For evaluation and selection method, the Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment:

a) Technical Qualification (max. 100 points) weight 70 %

b) Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30 %

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 70 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The applicants should provide medical insurance covering medical evacuation for the whole duration of the assignment -as part of the financial proposal submission.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

View our competency framework at 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:

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.