Individual International consultant to support the Ministry of Health and the Institute for Public Health of Montenegro to develop set of Standard Operating Procedures and National Immunizat

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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, the best start to life.

After gaining sovereignty in 2006, Montenegro is on a steady path of Euro-Atlantic integration. European Union (EU) accession negotiations were opened in June 2012, while in June 2017 Montenegro became a member of NATO. EU accession process is one of the main drivers of reforms. In relation to child rights, Montenegro has signed and ratified several United Nations conventions that directly or indirectly refer to children, among which are the: Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In 2016 the Government of Montenegro adopted the National Strategy on Sustainable Development (NSSD 2030), effectively incorporating the UN Agenda 2030 into Montenegrin policy goals. Montenegro is an upper-middle-income country with a total population of 620,029 in 2011 (2011 Census). Children under the age of 18 numbered 145,126, or 23.4 per cent of the total population: 75,367 boys (51.9 per cent), 69,759 girls (48.1 per cent). Despite its upper-middle status, Montenegro is faced with critically low and further declining immunization rates. Immunization coverage rates for first dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR1) have been decreasing in recent years – from 90% in 2010 to 24% in 2020 and slightly above 18% in 2021 [1], which is a critically low rate[2] and one of the lowest in Europe and Central Asia region. This means that more than 80% of young children are not timely protected from the most contagious vaccine-preventable diseases – namely measles. Some municipalities are especially at risk, for example Budva and Cetinje, where timely MMR1 coverage in the second year of life of children born in 2019 was well below 10%.

In addition, almost every sixth child in Montenegro has not been adequately protected from Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP3) in the first year of life (during 2020). Immunizations are an essential health service that protect susceptible individuals from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). Preventing a VPD outbreak not only saves lives but requires fewer resources than responding to the outbreak and helps reduce burden on a health system already strained by the COVID-19 pandemic. Already declining immunization rates are, at the global level, further adversely affected by COVID-19 due to overstretched health services and physical distancing measures which may lead parents to defer routine immunization. Furthermore, medical goods are in short supply and supply chains are under historic strain due to transport disruptions. These challenges result in accumulation of individuals susceptible to vaccine preventable diseases and ultimately may lead to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. The risks can be reduced if national immunization programme is redefined in order to take measures to minimize service interruptions.

How can you make a difference?

Urgent action is required in order to ensure that the negative trend of declining immunization rates is reversed in the COVID-19 recovery period, which also presents an important opportunity for health systems strengthening especially in (re)defining immunization policies and tackling practices that contribute to missed opportunities for vaccination, or by addressing issues in the supply chain or by strengthening collaborations with other sectors to engage or reach underserved populations. In early 2020, UNICEF Montenegro, with the support of the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, conducted a Root Cause Analysis of suboptimal immunization coverage at the sub-national level. Some of the identified main root causes were: insufficient knowledge of pediatricians and other health workers when establishing contraindications, lack of in interpersonal communication (IPC) skills for immunization, lack of motivation of immunization service providers for timely immunization and weak accountability of service providers for achieving immunization targets, strong anti-vaccination campaign in media and social networks and weak nation-wide mechanisms for generating demand for immunization[1]. The assessment was conducted before the COVID-19 outbreak, which, brought additional challenges to both the supply side (overstretched health services and lack of pediatricians on primary health care level) and the demand side (parents’ willingness to vaccinate children). UNICEF has extensive experience leading and supporting partnerships to strengthened public health services with special focus on immunization. In addition, UNICEF recognizes the central role played by front-line health workers in addressing local drivers of inequity and promoting and sustaining community demand for immunization and health in general. UNICEF program interventions seek to strengthen local accountability and encourage communities to advocate for immunization as a human right. UNICEF supports countries in achieving their national immunization goals with an increased focus on strengthening their immunization systems to ensure that key bottlenecks are identified and addressed efficiently. In that sense, UNICEF Montenegro supports the health system, namely Ministry of Health and the Institute for Public Health, in addressing the identified root causes for suboptimal immunization coverage both at national and local level. The purpose of this assignment is to contribute to strengthening immunization system to ensure that children and vulnerable groups in Montenegro are timely and adequately protected against vaccine preventable diseases through routine immunization services. The objective of the consultancy is to strengthen public health system by increasing technical capacities and improved vaccine management system by:

a) completing the set of at least six (6) standard operating procedures related to adequate implementation of immunizations program by developing 4 new SOPs that will be implemented nationally: i) Monitoring vaccine storage temperatures at fixed storage locations, ii) Storing vaccines and water packs in refrigerators and freezers,iii) Packing vaccine and diluents for transport, using cold boxes and, iv) When and how to conduct the Shake Test) and,Development of additional SOPs if identified as needed is an added asset.b) developing the National Immunization Guidelines based on the current national laws and bylaws, findings of the 2021 Effective Vaccine Management Assessment (EVMA) and set of six Effective Vaccine Management related SOPs (2 previously developed standard operating procedures: Infection, prevention and control and Multi-dose open vial policy and 4 new SOPs to be developed, as described above). The National Immunization Guideline will upgrade the existing vaccine management process, increase capacities of health workers, provide clear structure of the implementation of immunization process with defined roles, actions and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved and contribute to improving current outreach strategies. In addition, the National Immunization Guideline is to serve for strengthening accountability of front-line health workers to meet immunization targets but also to define clear structure and hierarchy of all actors in the routine immunization program at primary health care level/municipal level. Hence, UNICEF Montenegro seeks to engage an international individual consultant to assist relevant national authorities in producing the National Immunization Guidelines consisting of an essential set of standard operating procedures and set of defined practices and guidelines how routine immunizations should be performed on the primary level of health care. This assignment is part of a three-year country Action “Strengthening health system resilience and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and epidemiological risks” implemented by UNICEF with financial support from the European Union.

Description of the Assignment: The selected consultant will perform desk review of all existing policy and legislative documents available in local language. As needed, consultant will contact relevant UNICEF staff and request additional consultation with government, IPH and primary health care center(s) representatives. Under the direct supervision of ECD Officer, the following tasks are expected to be completed by consultant: Review all available relevant national strategic and other documents (laws, bylaws, rulebooks, guidelines, reports, analyses, EVM assessment data, immunization coverage data etc.) on immunization, Consultation and meetings in person with the head and, if needed, other members of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and other relevant stakeholders such as Ministry of Health (MoH), Institute for Public Health (IPH) and at least three primary health centers (PHCs), UNICEF, WHO, Preparation of first draft of deliverables: at least 4 defined SOPs and the National Immunization Guidelines for feedback by UNICEF, MoH, and IPH in local language, and with reference to international guidelines and recommendations, Review and according to the need amend existing SOPs that were previously developed, Present to UNICEF, MoH and IPH first draft of deliverables listed above, Gather inputs and incorporate them into deliverables, Prepare a second draft of the defined deliverables, Incorporate additional feedback if existing and share final deliverables. Provide a brief consultancy report outlining completed tasks and containing further recommendations. The consultations and meetings with NITAG and stakeholders will be organized as needed in face-to-face and/or online format. The National Immunization Guideline is scheduled to be adopted by national stakeholders in late 2023. A more detailed timeline is presented in the Work Assignment Overview section. The international consultant is expected to work for approximately 30 working days in total.

Description of the Assignment: The selected consultant will perform desk review of all existing policy and legislative documents available in local language. As needed, consultant will contact relevant UNICEF staff and request additional consultation with government, IPH and primary health care center(s) representatives.

Under the direct supervision of ECD Officer, the following tasks are expected to be completed by consultant:

- Review all available relevant national strategic and other documents (laws, bylaws, rulebooks, guidelines, reports, analyses, EVM assessment data, immunization coverage data etc.) on immunization, - Consultation and meetings in person with the head and, if needed, other members of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and other relevant stakeholders such as Ministry of Health (MoH), Institute for Public Health (IPH) and at least three primary health centers (PHCs), UNICEF, WHO, - Preparation of first draft of deliverables: at least 4 defined SOPs and the National Immunization Guidelines for feedback by UNICEF, MoH, and IPH in local language, and with reference to international guidelines and recommendations, Review and according to the need amend existing SOPs that were previously developed, Present to UNICEF, MoH and IPH first draft of deliverables listed above, Gather inputs and incorporate them into deliverables,Prepare a second draft of the defined deliverables, Incorporate additional feedback if existing and share final deliverables. - Provide a brief consultancy report outlining completed tasks and containing further recommendations.

The consultations and meetings with NITAG and stakeholders will be organized as needed in face-to-face and/or online format.

The National Immunization Guideline is scheduled to be adopted by national stakeholders in late 2023. A more detailed timeline is presented in the Work Assignment Overview section.

The international consultant is expected to work for approximately 30 working days in total and to deliver as per below timeframe:

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

Education:

- Master degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology or a related technical field; PhD degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology or a related technical field would be considered as an advantage; - At least 5 years of work experience in immunizations, especially in Effective Vaccine Management and Expanded Program of Immunizations Management, including experience in the development of national policy documents, standard operating procedures, supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) and other, including for different international agencies (especially UN); - Previous work experience with UNICEF or another UN agency is an asset.

Experience:

- Profound knowledge of relevant WHO and UNICEF recommended guidelines, policies and position papers on immunization - Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and goals - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - Familiarity with results-based monitoring. - Previous work experience with UN/UNICEF or other international organization will be considered as an advantage.

Language:

- Fluency in both local language and English is required.

Other:

- Excellent writing skills, presentation skills, strong strategic and analytical skills. - Ability to work with different stakeholders. - Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards. - Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Payments: The payments will be made upon successful completion of the deliverables and submission of invoices as follows: 70% upon submission of second draft and 30% upon submission of final report. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

E-learning: Upon conducting the recruitment process and prior to the signing of the contract, the consultant will be required to complete the following online courses. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract. 1. Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF 2. Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority (PSEAA) 3. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)

Before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF, the Consultants and Individual Contractors must complete course on General Information Security Awareness Course.

In addition to above, any consultant or individual contractor who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract: 1.Fraud Awareness; 2.General Information Security Awareness Course (only for consultants/individual contractors with a UNICEF email address). The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link: AGORA: Log in to the site (unicef.org). Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.

Application procedure: The application shall consist of the following documentation: • Cover Letter detailing your interest and qualifications. • Updated CV, Resume or e-recruitment profile. • List of reference contacts: 4-5 reference contacts including 2- 3 of current/previous supervisors and 2-3 peers; • Lump sum financial proposal. • Proposed work plan.

Selection methodology: All applicants will be screened against qualifications and requirements set above. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below. The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria: A) Technical criteria – Technical evaluation process / Maximum points: 70 1. Technical Criteria – please select: 1Desk review of CVs -70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points • Education: 10 • Previous experience: 20 • Proposed work plan : 30; • Other 10

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the technical part (who will score at least 49 points) will be qualified for considering for financial proposal evaluation B) Financial criteria – evaluation of financial proposal - Maximum points: 30

The applicants are requested to submit their lump sum financial proposal consisting of a daily professional fee and number of days per deliverable, proposed travel costs for north, central and south area of the country and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) when applicable which will be paid up to a maximum of the official UN rate. Reimbursement of travel costs / accommodation expenses will be based on actual expenses. Travel costs and Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.