Individual Consultant: Covid-19 Vaccination Coordinator, Banjul, The Gambia (6months with possibility of extension)

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, Health

UNICEF is the lead agency for the UN on risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) in the COVID19 response and co-chairs, with WFP, on Social Services Pillar covering social protection, WASH, education, protection, and education, and is an active member of all other coordination mechanisms and their sub-committees. UNICEF’s involvement and leadership in the RCCE and Social Services pillars at the national and decentralized level is important to ensure that trust is built with communities by mobilizing and empowering them to be partners in the response to COVID19 while contributing to system strengthening for sustainability and building-back better. This process will include addressing the main barrier of human resource capacity and limited technical expertise available within the programme. To address these urgent needs, UNICEF has successfully mobilized two project grants from USAID, namely “Prevention and Response to COVID-19 in The Gambia through RCCE interventions” and “COVID-19 Vaccine Roll Out”, amounting to a total of US $ 2,000,000. The main objective of these grants is to raise awareness around the risks regarding COVID19 and information sharing on preventative measures, and at same time support the Ministry of Health in the effective and timely roll out of the COVID19 vaccination campaign. The grants include a comprehensive component of supplies and also Infection Prevention and Control to ensure the protection of health care staff, effective data management and information sharing. The grants also include resources to address capacity gaps in the areas of coordination, data management and social mobilization/advocacy. The duration of both grants is for one year from September 2021 to September 2022.

Considering the above, the ToR is being circulated as there is an urgent need for COVID-19 Vaccination Country Coordinator/Emergency Health Specialist covering Data Management component to support National effort as part of UNICEF Gambia COVID-19 response team to work closely, support and guide the key stakeholders including the Government, UN Agencies, and other partners ensuring quick uptake of vaccines.

How can you make a difference?

Objective & Task of the assignment

To support The Gambia to further improve its COVID-19 vaccination, this TOR is launched to seek an individual contractor who will support the Ministry of Health (MoH) staff members and UNICEF Gambia Country Office (GCO). Specifically, the scope of the tasks carried out by the Vaccination Country Coordinator are stipulated around the following areas:

1. Support Ministry of Health (MoH) and relevant stakeholders in ensuring effective coordination of COVID-19 vaccination and linking this up with ongoing COVID 19 coordination.

• Provide technical assistance to the Director Health Services and EPI manager for organizing weekly meeting with all members of COVAX and other partners
• Support preparation of briefings and presentations on vaccination updates, or ad hoc presentations, webinars or partner meetings.
• Provide technical support in the monitoring and implementation of recommendations and action plans of the NEC meetings
• Support and coordinate with other Project staff hired for SM/Advocacy in their assigned tasks

2. Support MoH in country policy development and decision making to ensure equitable vaccine service delivery, and implementation related to COVID-19.

• Support national effort and UNICEF staff on communications workstreams, supporting the development and coordinating technical content across COVID-19 vaccination partners and teams
• Support development of communications to stakeholders to increase transparency of COVID-19 activities and ensure a timely flow of appropriate information reaches all participants, as a member of the appropriate National Coordination fora
• Relay and collaborate with other COVID-19 teams and partners (UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, World Bank, CSOs, etc) to promote a coordinated country communications approach across multiple channels.

3. Support MoH to facilitate the communication across MoH, other Ministries, partner agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders related to COVID-19 and COVAX.

• Provide strategic support to MOH, including improved targeted vaccination strategies and campaigns to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake and coverage
• Coordinate with the technical focal points of COVID-19 vaccination, especially at the National EPI Team
• Support the monitoring of the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination plans at national and sub-national levels
• Identify and evaluate risks and challenges, sharing with PS and MOH, and ensure adequate solutions are provided.

4. Support MoH for data management including providing technical support to prepare presentation

• Create data visualization and data reporting products with respect to COVAX and COVID-19 vaccination data, including the support for the development and maintenance of a COVID-19 vaccination dashboard
• Ensure quality and accurate disaggregated data for data-driven and equity-based decision making
• Provide analytical reports to the Director of Health Services/EPI Data Manager, and other technical focal points at MOH and UNICEF for during the technical working group meetings

5. Other relevant tasks including the technical support to ensure timely and effective implementation of USAID project among others

• Ensure timely and comprehensive recording and reporting of both the projects
• Support the convening of monthly Project steering committee meetings, prepare presentations and ensure minute taking and reporting
• Support focal points in ensuring appropriate visibility of the project
• Other relevant tasks requested by supervisor to support COVID-19 response

Deliverables with timelines

Under the supervision of the Child Survival and Development (CSD) Manager who is also an Emergency Focal Point for GCO, the incumbent will primarily provide technical support to Ministry of Health in The Gambia for the COVID-19 vaccination implementation and improvements, and coordinate with the national, regional, and UNICEF teams.

Deliverables

Timeline

Submission of Monthly report

Monthly

Payment Schedule

Payment together with DSA is made in monthly basis, upon submission of Monthly report.

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

• Advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, project management, communications, public administration and management, or equivalent area.
• At least 8years’ experience (or 10years with an undergraduate degree) of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the specified fields above, of which 4 years experience is in developing countries.
• Experience working in the UN system agency or organization is an asset
• Experience in emergency response is an asset.
• Good analytical, oral, & written communication skills
• Fluency in English is required.
• Excellent inter-personal communication skills and coordination with multiple stakeholders

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.

Special Note

The incumbent will be based at UNICEF The Gambia or EPI/MOH as the case may be (if the epidemiological context and physical space permits) on a full-time basis. UNICEF The Gambia will provide an office space and email address. Additionally, if the selected candidate is an international consultant, travel arrangement (Ticket & DSA) will be made according to the UNICEF policy. Attached is the TOR for further details Covax Coordinator ToR.pdf

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.

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.