Individual Consultancy (International) Immunization Supply Chain Consultant

Contract

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Advert: Immunization Supply Chain International Consultant

Background & Rationale

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to spread in countries around the world. The Maldives has a significantly high case positivity rate based on the population number, and there have been fluctuations in cases in the past few months. The Government is adapting the response measures according to the rapidly changing situation.

Routine immunization coverage is relatively high in the Maldives with an average of over 90% in the past 10 years. However, recent DHS (2016-2017) data indicated a drop in coverage with a 77% immunization rate. Vaccine hesitancy and supply cold chain related factors were recently identified as issues that could further decrease immunization coverage.

Cold chain rapid assessments, as well as EPI review and effective vaccine management assessment in 2019 revealed critical gaps in the immunization supply chain. The capacity gaps of the EPI programme was also highlighted in these assessments. Further, the current stock management system requires review and upgrading to the latest VSSM tool, and the focal points around the country need to be fully trained in time for the vaccine arrival.

Addressing these outstanding cold chain equipment and immunization systems issues, particularly the supply chain gaps are urgently needed. the cold chain system also requires further upgrading for successful introduction and deployment of a vaccine for COVID-19. Supply chain readiness is key to efficiently deploying COVID-19 vaccines to the target populations. Procurement of cold chain equipment and items is ongoing, with a view of obtaining optimal and appropriate technology that is aligned with the country context. The country lacks specialists in the cold chain component of the EPI programme. A dedicated cold chain expert on the ground will help set-up the newly procured higher performing technologies and ensure that the cold chain system is geared to prepare the country for the COVID vaccine introduction. A dedicated cold chain expert in the country, supported by a local consultant can facilitate the implementation of timely activities while addressing the technical gaps. By working closely with the national team and partners, the specialist will be instrumental for timely technical backstopping and skills transfer to staff in the country.

Purpose

The purpose is to support the Ministry of Health / Health Protection Agency to strengthen the immunization supply chain capacity of the country and to intensify and coordinate efforts to catalyze immunization supply chain improvements.

Objective of the consultancy:

Proposed consultancy is to support UNICEF Maldives country office and the Health Protection Agency (HPA), in the following activities with a focus on addressing supply chain issues and strengthening the system for Covid-19 vaccine introduction:

1. Planning and coordination, including support to COVAX facility requirements
2. Service Delivery

• Support the EPI programme by providing technical assistance to improve the cold chain equipment management systems. Support to implement priorities as identified through the EVM process and to assist the application to and implementation of country plans

3. Training and Supervision of EPI staff; immunization staff and focal points; cold chain maintenance and logistics focal points at central level and sub-national level
4. Vaccine Cold chain Logistics, and support to temperature monitoring assessments.

• Establish/strengthen the national logistics working group with appropriate terms of reference
• Develop standard operating procedures to coordinate COVID-19 vaccines and ancillary products’ deployment

Key tasks of the consultant:

1. In close collaboration with the HPA, develop a mechanism and tools to maintain cold chain equipment inventory around the country, including updating of the current cold chain equipment inventory
2. Support the set-up of the temporary vaccine storage facility. Provide technical guidance and support to the logistics sub-group of the COVID Vaccine national steering committee, relevant sub-groups and EPI programme
3. Support to update the Cold chain gap analysis using cold chain sizing tool, prepare a scenario-based plan for vaccine introduction and cold chain expansion plan
4. Support the COVID-19 vaccine introduction work including updating of the deployment costing tool, with a focus on cold chain and logistics
5. Provide guidance and technical support to planning and establishment of the new vaccine cold storage national store
6. Undertake comprehensive cold chain assessment of the country, using available EVMA reports, other available reports, and sampled site visits
7. Routinely update and utilise the VIRAT/VIRAF tool for planning and monitoring of preparedness activities
8. Provide technical advice and assistance to the procurement of cold chain equipment and supplies
9. Provide guidance and support to vaccine procurement, storage planning, and plan for appropriate temperature control at all levels
10. Prepare and roll-out vaccine delivery plan, considering the national criteria for prioritizing the groups of people to receive vaccines, e.g., 3% and 17 % of the population and then general public
11. Support the cold chain equipment aspects, including documentation and implementation of requirements for COVAX facility
12. Provide technical assistance to manage various supply chain challenges, including stock management
13. Capacity building and orientation of health professionals and relevant stakeholders on Covid-19 vaccine introduction
14. Support the EPI programme to coordinate with key partners: MoH, UNICEF, WHO, and other implementing partners
15. Conduct/complete the temperature mapping study in the vaccine cold rooms (protocol, training, data analysis) and build national capacity to conduct future studies. Coordinate a temperature monitoring study in the vaccine distribution routes and build national capacity to conduct future studies
16. Support to the costing of COVID 19 vaccine supply process
17. Support the development and deployment of guidance, training materials, and SOPs to ensure adoption and sustained use of the system by health workers and managers
18. Support in EVMA2.0 and improvement plan development using ROSA developed online IP tool

Duty Station: Placed in the Maldives, attached to Health Protection Agency. Initial 2-3 weeks can be remote.

Travel: Travel to Male’, Maldives for the assignment.

Timeframe: 10 months

Supervisor: Programme Specialist, Health & Nutrition.

Qualifications and Minimum Requirements:

1. Education:

Post-graduate degree in supply chain management, industrial engineering, economics, logistics, business administration, operations management, public health or any other relevant field.

2. Work Experience:

Essential:

• At least 5 years of experience, at the State/provinces, national and international levels, on supply chain management, EPI-cold chain management, logistics or operations management, and at least 3 years of experience on immunization supply chain public health programmes.
• Familiarity with cold chain assessment tool like cold chain sizing tool, effective vaccine management assessment, and inventory tools like WHO-CCEI gap analysis/DHIS-2/NCCMIS
• Earlier experience in conducting national/state/province comprehensive cold chain assessment, Effective vaccine management with improvement plan development
• Experience in new vaccine introduction like Ebola/MR/Rota or SIAs planning for Polio and Measles
• Report writing experience of assessments, studies, or training modules development
• Good computer skills like MS-Excel including quantitative analysis and reporting tools

Desirable

• Working experience with the Ministry of Health at the national level will be an added value.
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the area of immunization supply chain management (iSCM), particularly comprehensive EVM, temperature monitoring, electronic inventory systems, developing iSCM SOPs, experience in conducting training and workshops.
• Detailed knowledge of WHO/UNICEF recommended vaccine management practices and vaccine management assessment tools.
• Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills, with the ability to lead/, train a group of individuals and impart knowledge. Skills in adult training methodology are strongly preferred.

• Experience in the Maldives, or South-East Asian countries’ context is an asset.

  C. Competencies:

  • Proficiency in IT skills especially MS office is a minimum skill required.

  • Good analytical skills with multiple data sources

  D. Language Proficiency:

  • Excellent written and verbal command of English

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

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

Deadline for Applications: 01st February 2021, 06:00 pm (Maldives Time)

Application Link:

https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=537725&SourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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