International Consultancy-Technical support for the development of a strategy for immunization in the second year of life in Comoros

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

• The Comoros archipelago is located at the northern entrance of the Mozambique Channel, midway between the East Coast of Africa (Tanzania) and the North-West of Madagascar. It occupies an area of 2,237 km² distributed in four islands: Grande Comore, Mohéli, Anjouan and Mayotte. At the time of independence in 1975, Mayotte remained under French administration. Therefore, the Union of the Comoros exercises its sovereignty only on the first three islands. The total population for 2022 is estimated at 837,247 and the current intervention is primarily targeting 44,032 children aged 0-23 months

• Despite relatively good immunization coverages at national level, the immunization data review and the Equity Assessment conducted in 2019 revealed worrying geographic inequities. In 2019, the reported administrative coverage for the first dose of Measles-Containing-Vaccine (MCV1) at national level was 75% with even higher coverage for the WHO/UNICEF Estimates (90%). At the same time when looking at subnational level, only 10 out of the country’s 17 Health Districts reported a MCV1 coverage above 80% with even 5 districts below the 50% threshold. Immunization Programme data review indicated that unvaccinated children were clustered in urban and suburban settlements of some districts especially in the main Island (Grande Comore). As an example, the review revealed that four districts representing around 20% of the targeted children were accounting for more than half of all zero-dose and non-fully vaccinated children. The country therefore reinforced implementation of equity-centred micro plans at district level and started working on a partnership with CSOs to reach children in underserved areas.

• As part of its Measles and Rubella elimination strategy, the country planned for the introduction of two doses of Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine in its routine immunization programme to replace the single-dose MCV. The first dose would continue to be administered at 9 months (as MCV1) and a second dose would be introduced in the immunization schedule at 18 months of age. This introduction was delayed in 2019 for funding issues and then in 2020 due to the pandemic.

• The Comoros underwent the first wave of the pandemic in Q2 of 2020 with a noticeable impact on immunization coverage. However, catch-up activities were undertaken in Q4 to limit losses in vaccine coverage after the first wave. From mid-December 2020 to April 2021, the country was hit by an even deadlier second wave. • Taking advantage of the stabilization of the epidemiological situation at the end of the second wave, the National Immunization Programme introduced the MR vaccine and the 18-months second dose in July 2021. One of the main expectations of this introduction was to use it as a platform to leverage equity-centred interventions to reach zero-dose and non-fully vaccinated children in underserved areas through development of an evidencebased strategy for immunization in the second year of life (2YL strategy).

• UNICEF Comoros CO seeks a skilled professional to support the development of the 2YL strategy in the country

How can you make a difference?

• Conduct a desk review of immunization programme results with a focus on MCV1 and MR2 coverage, equity gaps and priority needs • Conduct a quick assessment of the MR2 vaccine introduction process including related policy changes to the Programme, interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups with mothers and caregivers, short field data collection

• Collaborate with National Immunization Programme to draft the country’s 2YL strategy and develop necessary operational tools (job aids, catch-up algorithms, etc…) providing technical inputs as necessary

• Facilitate 2YL strategy validation workshops and ensure that relevant inputs from the workshops are integrated into the final document

• Finalize and edit the 2YL strategy document

• Provide hands-on technical support to the EPI Coordination Team for the initial phase of strategy implementation

• Document lessons learnt from the MR2 introduction and first months of 2YL strategy implementation that will inform elaboration of the country’s next National Immunization Strategy and could be shared with other countries

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

1. An Advanced University Degree in one or more of the following areas: Health Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, Vaccinology or equivalent.

2. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in Immunization Programme management including at least two years of international experience.

3. Experience of providing technical assistance for strategic planning in immunization, vaccine introduction, vaccine introduction or campaigns evaluation or similar work experience is required

4. Previous working experience in a developing country is required. 5. Familiarity with emergency response is an asset. 6. Fluency in French and English is required.

5. Submission:

A technical proposal analysing qualifications; understanding of the terms of references and working methodology. The technical proposal will be subdivided into two parts:

a. The first part entitled Analysis of Qualifications and Competences will be presented under the the shape of a two-column table. In the first column, the candidates will resume each of the qualifications and competencies required for this position. In the second column they will detail how they feel they meet each qualification or skill. No limit is not set for this text and candidates will have to present their arguments as well as possible

b. The second part of the technical note will consist of two main paragraphs, one of which will be on the candidate's understanding of TDRs and the other on a description of their methodology.

c. A lump sum financial proposal including only the monthly fees and the costs of DSA subsistence per month of planned work.

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.

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.