International consultancy for technical support for the development and rollout of the National Electronic Immunization Registry and other HMIS modules

Contract

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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, health.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: Immunization is the most cost‐effective and efficient way to control and eliminate vaccine‐preventable diseases that contribute significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality.

In 2021-2022, UNICEF supported the development of the Vaccine Logistics Management Information System (VLMIS). As of February 2023, the VLMIS software is accepted by the MOH and its e-health company, IT-Med LLC., and deployed at the national (1), regional (14) and district (209) level vaccine warehouses. The VLMIS connects all cold chain stores at various levels into one network for constant consolidation and analysis of up-to-date information on vaccines stock, its movement and consumption, and possible re-fill, and to provide ready-to-go reports and information for decision-makers and serve as a basis for the budgeting and forecasting.

Furthermore, in 2022, UNICEF contracted a local IT-Company to establish an electronic immunization registry (EIR) connected to the civil registry database, VLMIS and other National Health Management Information System modules. Once deployed, EIR would help identify the country's most problematic communities, concentrate efforts to improve vaccine uptake and provide up-to-date information for decision-making. To date, the software developer and IT-Med LLC released the alpha version of EIR, which has been tested among Tashkent City and Bukhara City users to collect feedback and improve the system’s functionality further.

In 2023, UNICEF is planning to implement an ambitious programme on digitalization of the immunization programme through the full rollout of VLMIS and EIR at vaccine cold stores (220) and vaccination points (3,138) and healthcare providers training (9,000), deployment of the Remote Temperature Monitoring System (RTMS) at all cold stores (220); development and rollout of Cold Chain Equipment Management Information System and Vaccine Transport Management Systems; etc. Considering the complexity of the nationwide rollout of EIR and other IT projects, it was recommended to hire an international ICT consultant to monitor the quality of the system, validate technical requirements and coordinate activities with software developers and national authorities.

Scope of Work: Under the supervision of the Immunization Officer, the consultant will ensure the development of high-quality products, monitor the development and implementation, and recommend improvements to the software as well as support deployment and further operationalization of various modules of the Immunization Programme Management Information System, VLMIS, EIR, etc.

Objective/purpose of services: Within the technical area of software development and deployment, the consultant will: - Prepare technical documentation and TORs for new modules of the Immunization Management Information System (IMIS), such as Asset Management, Vaccine Transport Management Information System, etc., in compliance with international standards and best practices; - Oversee software development, testing and piloting; - Provide technical advice on improvement and seamless integration within IMIS - Support integration of all modules of HMIS; - Contribute to the development trainings manual and job aids for users - Liaise with national partners, IT-MED, MOH, SanEpidKom, UzInofoKom, etc. to coordinate all activities - Participate in coordination meetings with partners and software developers - Assist with developing a sustainability plan for immunization-related modules of HMIS

Work Assignments Overview and Timeline 1. In collaboration with UNICEF Country Office the consultant will develop a consultancy workplan articulating linkages with the work of VTMIS, VLMIS, EIR and other relevant ICT systems of the health sector developing vendors and the national consultant to ensure synergies - 5 days. 2. Preparation of the ToR including technical requirements for the development and implementation of the Vaccine Transportation Management Information System (VTMIS) which shall include both GPS monitoring of the vehicles and fleet management - 5 days. 3. Provision of support during the tendering period - 5 days: • Responding to the clarification questions received from the tender participants; • Participate as a member of the Evaluation Committee for the selection of an ICT company to develop the VTMIS. 4. Preparation of the ToR, including technical requirements for the development and implementation of an Asset Management solution to ensure the evidence and monitoring of the equipment delivered to the vaccine cold chain of Uzbekistan (especially the items delivered by UNICEF) - 5 days. 5. Provision of support during the tendering period - 5 days: • Responding to the clarification questions received from the tender participants; • Participate as a member of the Evaluation Committee for selecting an ICT company to develop the Asset Management System of the Vaccine Cold Chain of Uzbekistan. 6. Assist UNICEF and beneficiary institutions from Uzbekistan in identifying the hardware resources necessary to deploy the pilot, production and validation VTMIS - 5 days. 7. Provide assistance to UNICEF and beneficiary institutions from Uzbekistan in identifying the hardware and software resources necessary for the deployment of the pilot, production and validation Asset Management system - 5 days.

Deliverables/Outputs

1. Consultancy workplan 2. ToR for development of the Vaccine Transportation Management Information System (VTMIS) including GPS monitoring of the vehicles, fleet management and integration with VLMIS 3. Responses to the clarification questions; Evaluation Report on evaluation of the received technical proposals. 4. ToR for development or customization of an Asset Management software solution to ensure the evidence and monitoring of the equipment delivered to the vaccine cold chain of Uzbekistan 5. Responses to the clarification questions; Evaluation Report on evaluation of the received technical proposals. 6. ToR including technical requirements for the needed hardware to put in place the VTMIS, i.e. GPS sensors and other equipment for monitoring of the vehicles 7. ToR including technical requirements for the needed hardware to put in place the Asset Management system for the vaccine cold chain, such as barcode scanners, barcode printers and other mobile devices.

Implementation Stage

Work Assignments Overview and Timeline

1. Checking the compliance of the analysis and design documentation produced by the VTMIS and Asset Management solution providers with the Technical Requirements of the systems used for acquiring the products - 10 days; 2. Checking the quality of the implementation stage by having access to the software (VTMIS and Asset Management) and monitoring the entire process - 2 days per month (total up to 12 days within 6 months) - 10 days. 3. Working with the National IT Consultant and IT Med company to provide guidance for improving/adjusting the software and fixing any issue - 2 days per month (total up to 12 days within 6 months) - 10 days. 4. Verification of the pilot version of the VTMIS before nationwide implementation (On-site mission may be required) - 5 days. 5. Contribute to the training documents (agenda, modules, distribution materials) - 5 days.

Deliverables/Outputs

1. Feedback/Report on the detailed analysis and design documentation produced by the VTMIS and Asset Management vendors versus the ToR and technical requirements for systems' development and implementation. 2. Weekly assessment of the software and reporting on quality 3. List of identified problems and proposed solutions 4. A pilot version of VTMIS is verified anthe d report is prepared 5. Training materials improved

Final Stage

Work Assignments Overview and Timeline

1. Verification of the quality of developed VTMIS in line with the project requirements and international standards (On-site mission may be required) - 5 days. 2. Verification of the quality of developed software for Asset Management of the vaccine cold chain items in line with the project requirements and international standards - 5 days.

Deliverables/Outputs

1. Report on tested VTMIS 2. Report on tested Asset Management software

General Tasks

Work Assignments Overview and Timeline

1. Provide strategic advice and technical support to UNICEF and beneficiary institutions for the implementation of the VTMIS and Asset Management systems. Contribute to the coordination process, in close cooperation with the UNICEF national consultant, of the work of the stakeholders in the context of the development, piloting, testing, training, production and validation of the aforementioned IT system - 10 days. 2. Provide advises on technical aspects related to the integration between EIR and Health Information Systems used in Uzbekistan such as MedData and MedHub - 5 days. 3. Analysis requests for changes (if any) to the VTMIS, Asset Management, VLMIS and EIR by the vendors and/or beneficiary institutions. Such requests shall be analyzed, proposed for implementation or rejected - 5 days. 4. Contribute to the multilateral discussion throughout the implementation period - 10 days.

Deliverables/Outputs

1. Timely advises to UNICEF on substantive and technical matters related to the implementation of the VTMIS and Asset Management software; 2. Technical report 3. Analysed requests and description of the proposed resolution. 4. Meeting notes

Travel:

The consultant will be required to travel one time to Tashkent and Bukhara to test EIR and VLMIS functionality.

The travel plan reflects minimum number of travels to the project sites based on which the individual should calculate the budget for the trips and include into price proposal in a separate line. In the event if number of travels will be more than planned, the incumbent will be required to obtain approval from supervisor and claim reimbursement upon presentment of trip report, hotel receipt and air/rail/roadway receipts.

Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) should not exceed UN established rates. For more details on UN DSA rates please follow the link: https://icsc.un.org/.

Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant

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

• Computer Science, IT and/or equivalent practical experience in the field.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in IT development area, out of which five years should be in e-Health programme.
• At least five years of experience in providing technical assistance and thought leadership surrounding the design and implementation of digital solutions for health system strengthening, including the application of recommended Health Information System architectures and standards.
• Significant experience with project management with an ability to translate complex ideas from various fields into unified, clear guidance is a must.
• Knowledge and experience with DHIS2, OpenMRS, iHRIS, OpenHIE, MoTECH, CommCare, RapidPro, etc.
• Familiarity with open-source technology.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English. The Russian language is an asset.

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.

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.