Individual Consultant - Immunization Specialist (Remote)

Consultant

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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For every child, a champion

The national immunization program, referred to as “Expanded Program of Immunization” (EPI), is an integral part of the national health policy framework, and serves as an instrument for the implementation of health policy under the “Medium Term Strategic Plan for the Development of the Health Sector in DPR Korea 2016-2021”, Strategic area 1 “Communicable disease prevention and control,” Focus area 1 “Strengthen Hygiene and Anti-Epidemic Institute (HAES) Nationwide” and Focus area 2 “Immunization and Control of Vaccine-Preventable Disease (VPD)”.

EPI aims at the realization of the commitment of the Government of DPRK to the Global Universal Child Immunization Initiative.

Since its establishment, the EPI has been a priority and one of the most successful public health programs. With this consistent approach and attention to the EPI, the government has been showing a strong commitment to the reduction of maternal and child mortality and morbidity arising from vaccine-preventable diseases.

DPR Korea has a high performing immunization program, with the established capacity to set and achieve targets and deliver immunization services through a well-structured country-wide network of service providers, monitor program implementation and create evidence through the well-established and effective surveillance system for timely implementation of corrective measures in immunization program implementation.

During recent years, the Ministry of Public Health, DPR Korea has made tremendous progress in achieving and maintenance of high national coverage levels and minimum drop-out rates. Reported immunization coverage rates and official coverage estimates, including those carried out by the international development partners (WHO and UNICEF), have remained over 90% for more than ten years, which has led to full immunization of more than 90% of children under 12 months of age.

This good performance has ensured sustained funding for DPRK from the Health System Strengthening grants and additional performance-based fundings.

The recent Covid 19 Pandemic with its attendant consequences including border closure affecting the entry of internationally recruited personnel and supplies including vaccines has the potential to reverse some of these gains made in the past 10 years. As of October 2020, the country reported stock outs of OPV vaccines and routine data is already showing a dip in coverage of OPV beginning in Quarter 3 of 2020.

In addition, with the ban on supplies and internationally recruited personnel entering the country, implementation of the various planned activities have been stalled resulting decreased absorption of Gavi funds by the country team.

There is thus a need to support the Ministry of Public Health, to map the various immunization funding streams and re-programme and consolidate HSS2, PBF2-4 and HSS2 Change 2 activities into a coherent programme and interface this with the envisaged HSS3 (2022-2026) and CCEOP support.

UNICEF is recruiting an international Consultant with an immunization financing background for a period of three months to support this.

How can you make a difference?

The consultancy will support the MOPH to map the various immunization funding streams and re-programme and consolidate HSS2, PBF2-4 and HSS2 Change 2 activities into a coherent programme and interface this with the envisaged HSS3 (2022-2026) and CCEOP support. Special consideration will be made regarding feasibility of implementation.

Consultant’s Workplace:

The consultant will work remotely from his/her country of residence working closely with UNICEF CO and other partners mainly WHO. She/he is expected to take complete responsibility for the end-to-end delivery of the process.

Methodology (Tasks)

Under the joint supervision of MoPH and UNICEF (Chief of Health), the consultant is expected to work with MoPH, National Officers and WHO team to:

• Compile and review all existing Gavi supported grants namely Change 2, PBF2/4 and PSR grants to explore and synthesize commonalities and differences using a structured approach.
• Arrange coordination between GAVI and Country team to ensure all information captured and streamlined.
• Develop an integrated and consolidated workplan across all the key documents.
• Consolidate existing budgets and identify cost savings for reprogramming.

• Revise and ensure the Grant performance framework is consolidated and includes all critical indicators to measure changes and as recommended by the Gavi secretariat and IRC.

  Deliverables, Timeframes and Payment Schedule

No

Task

Deliverable

Timeframe (workdays)

Payment

schedule (%)

1

Desk review of the available immunization funding streams including HSS2, PBF2, Change 2 and HSS 3 and a prioritized work plan and Implementation GANT Chart

• Comprehensive review of different funding streams for EPI
• Review and revise each grant if necessary, under consultation with the country team
• Analysis of current situation to understand the feasibility of implementation

Updated budget and activities for each funding streams

Detailed Analysis Report of commonalities and overlaps

10 days

20%

2

Develop an integrated and consolidated workplan across all the key documents

Outline an integration approach to develop a single grant document with clear timelines

Single Grant Work Plan with clear timelines and implementation assumptions

6 days

20%

3

Consolidate existing budgets and identify cost savings for reprogramming

• Provide technical support and critical analysis into development of a consolidated budget to accompany revised and integrated workplan

Consolidated budget to accompany the revised and integrated workplan

6 days

20%

4

Revise and ensure the Grant performance framework is consolidated and includes all critical indicators to measure changes and as recommended by the Gavi secretariat and IRC.

Revised GPF with consolidated and appropriate indicators developed/updated

6 days

20%

5

Submit end of Consultancy Report with a complete package of integrated documents for country use.

Complete package of integrated documents for country use

6 days

20%

Consultancy Timeframe

The consultancy is expected to commence from April and last until July (34 working days spread over 3 months) to align with the Mid-Year Review of the 2021 Annual Work Plan Implementation progress.

Consultancy Requirements

The consultant should have the following qualifications;

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Health Economics, Health Services Management or related field.

Experiences

• At least 8 years working in health sector development preferably Asia and EAP region;
• Good understanding of the DPR Korea health system;
• Familiar with Gavi financing policies and processes is required;
• In-depth understanding of the Expanded Program on Immunisation is a distinct advantage;
• Experience in working with multiple health sector stakeholders;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.

Supervision

The consultancy will be primarily supervised by the Chief of Health of UNICEF CO with overall technical support from Immunization Adviser of UNICEF RO.

Consultancy Classification

This is a senior level international consultancy. The competitive market rates will apply. DSA schedule will apply according to agreed UN rates if travel necessary.

Other Consultancy Costs and Payment Modalities

The competitive market rates would apply as there is foreseen. If travel involved, the consultant should submit an all-inclusive fee (lump sum) in his/her proposal.

Other Conditions

• The contractor will work on own computer(s) and UNICEF office resources and materials in the execution of this assignment. The contractor’s fee shall be inclusive of all office administrative costs.
• Local travel will be covered in accordance with UNICEF’s rules and tariffs in an all-inclusive contract.
• Flight costs will be covered at economy class rate as per UNICEF policies.
• Workshop costs (if any) for report dissemination will be covered separately by UNICEF.
• UNICEF shall normally be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to, or is made in consequence of, the services provided to the Organization by the consultant.
• Please also see UNICEF’s Standard Terms and Conditions attached.

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.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

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.

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Added 3 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org