Internal/External Vacancy: Health Officer, NO-A, The Gambia, Gambians Only

Contract

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

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TERMS OF REFERENCE: Health Officer for COVID 19 Vaccination Coordination Temporary Assignment (Gambian National ) Purpose: Support to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and implementation of COVID 19 vaccination country wide. . Suggested Duration: Six (6) months. Level: NOA Suggested Timeframe: October 2021– March 2022 with possibility of extension

A) Introduction The first case of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in The Gambia was reported on the 16th March 2020. As of August 9, 2021, there has been 8920 confirmed cases with 8038 recoveries and 251 deaths. UNICEF has been supporting the Ministry of Health in the COVID response in the different thematic areas including leading the Risk Communication and Community Engagement. With the third wave hitting The Gambia, there is need to increase preventative measures against the COVID 19 including vaccination.

B) Background information The COVID-19 vaccination campaign was launched in The Gambia on March 10, 2021 by H.E. President Adama Barrow. This was followed by regional launches across the country to increase access and uptake of the vaccine. In preparation for the implementation of the vaccination in the Gambia, the National Vaccine Deployment Plan (NVDP) was developed. The NVDP is the strategic document that guides COVID 19 vaccinations. It includes the following thematic areas: Regulatory Preparedness, Planning and Coordination of vaccination introduction, Resources and Funding, Target and Priority population, Vaccination Strategy, Supply Chain Management and Vaccine Waste Management, Human Resources management and training, Vaccine acceptance and uptake, Vaccine safety management and monitoring of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and injection safety, Immunization monitoring system, Data management, and Disease Surveillance

The Gambia has received the first batch of 36,000 doses of the AstraZeneca AZD1222 COVID-19 vaccine on March 2 through COVAX Facility; 10,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID -19 as a donation from Senegal , 15,000 doses of AstraZeneca from MTN donation through African CDC, 302,400 doses of Janssen & Janssen vaccine A26COV2S through COVAX facility by United States of America and an additional 38,400 of Aztraneca through COVAX facility by France. Additional vaccines (Moderna & Pfizer) are expected to arrive in the third quarter to meet the target of vaccinating 61% of Gambians. As of August 10, 2021, 165,804 individuals have received the COVID 19 vaccination.

C) Purpose of the position:

The overall objective of the Health Officer is to provide technical support to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) for the implementation of COVID 19 vaccination country wide.

Specific Objectives include the following:

Ensure information on vaccines arrivals, vaccine axillary requirements and regulatory documents are shared with supply colleagues Monitoring of grants allocated for COVID 19 vaccination and COVID 19 emergency response

Supervision: The Health Officer reports to the Health Specialist and works closely with the immunization officer, staff of EPI unit of colleagues of the Ministry of Health.

D) Deliverables

• Support to obtain regulatory documents including importation and customs clearance procedures, and identify expected challenges or exemptions that may be required regarding importation and use of COVID-19 vaccines in the country. • Participate and support in planning of target group to be vaccinated in consultation with EPI • Support in the distribution process, including identification of gaps, challenges and solutions to complete vaccine deployment before the vaccination start date. •Support the EPI team in estimating cold chain and dry store capacity requirements, issues, challenges, and solutions •Support in vaccine deployment based on population target, distances •Support logistic planning to the EPI team on the quantity, doses and ancillary items to be distributed to regions • Support EPI team to assess current waste management capacity and practices, and their adequacy; changes needed to accommodate additional volume of wastage due to new vaccine, and plans for upgrading the waste management system if needed • Support and propose waste management technique if needed •Support EPI in training on Infection Prevention Control (IPC) •Support training in Medical Waste management during vaccination campaign Monitor and report the COVID-19 emergency related grants utilization with inputs from relevant colleagues

E) Qualifications and skills • University Degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Public Health, Social Sciences, or a field relevant to the Cold Chain Logistics and Vaccine Management. • Experience in Cold Chain and Vaccines Supplies and Supply Management Systems. • Fluent in English • Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form. • Fully proficient computer skills including use of relevant software and other applications.

How to apply Please send your application through the online platform accessible through this link: http://jobs.unicef.org/

For further details contact Sunday Peter [email protected]

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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.