International Individual Contractor- countrywide cold chain assessment in Sierra Leone, 4 months (office based)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, results!

How can you make a difference?

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

Purpose and objectives:

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide an in-depth analysis of the status of the existing cold chain systems and come up with a 5-year costed rehabilitation/improvement plan for improved cold chain management system in Sierra Leone.

Methodology and Technical Approach:

The overall management of the assessment will be led by the MoHS with technical guidance, advice and support from the consultant and UNICEF to ensure effective management of information and resources according to international and national standards. As such, to perform the above-mentioned tasks, the International Consultant will work closely with the MoHS, UNICEF, WHO and other partners. The consultancy will include a desk review of available documents as well as several visits to selected in-country vaccine stores and health facilities. The assessment protocol should consider adherence to the national COVID-19 safety measures amongst others.

Specific Tasks of the Consultant:

Under the supervision of the Immunization Specialist of UNICEF Sierra Leone, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Conduct desk review of the available cold chain documents and reports prepared by the country team.
• Review the cold chain and logistics systems for vaccines in terms of functions, organization, levels and role of individuals responsible for the systems.
• Develop an assessment protocol and a tool to collect cold chain assessment data at national (central cold rooms), district (district cold stores) and health facility levels (both public and private facilities offering immunization services), including:
  • Cold chain equipment including solar refrigerators, deep freezers, ultra-cold chain freezers, ice pack freezers, ice lined refrigerators
  • Passive containers including cold boxes, vaccine carriers and icepacks
  • Waste management equipment including availability of incinerator and the status of functionality

Estimate training needs for the country to ensure a functional cold chain system

• Finalize the assessment protocol and data collection tool, in consultation with the in-country team, including the biomedical engineer consultant who develops the data collection tool for medical equipment inventory taking at PHUs, to allow integrated data collection.
• Facilitate training for assessment teams, in coordination with biomedical engineer consultant.
• Lead and provide quality assurance for the on-site assessment / field data collection, using mobile devices. Ensure daily data submission and checks. Closely coordinate with biomedical engineer consultant to ensure smooth integration of data collection for cold chain and other medical equipment inventory.
• Lead cold chain data compilation, consolidation and analysis, including calculation of the cold chain storage and distribution volumes currently in place at different levels (national, district and health facility)
• Estimate the required cold chain volumes, as well as future needs in the next 5 years based on new vaccines to be introduced, other local plans/policies for immunization, and other cold chain medical supplies in case of health system integration needs
• Develop a 5-year strategic plan to strengthen cold chain systems to enable quality-assured and appropriate amounts of commodities for immunization services, taking into account the current cold chain equipment.
• Cost the 5-year plan once finalized in consultation with the in-country team.
• Validate the Inventory replacement plan (IRP) tools being used in the country for management of cold chain equipment and to advise on how best to optimize use of the tool for effective inventory management.
• Estimate training needs for the country to ensure a functional cold chain system.

Management, Organization and Timeframe:

The position will be managed and supervised by the UNICEF Sierra Leone Immunization Specialist, with regular interaction and support from the National EPI manager and team. The incumbent will provide weekly updates on the activities implemented and deliverables achieved.

The consultant will be paid based on the completion of each deliverable mentioned above, after which a detailed assessment report including a costed improvement plan would be expected from the consultant.

The duration of the consultancy is 42 days over the period of 4 months.

Please find attached the full ToR for this consultancy: ToR for Countrywide Cold Chain Assessment_advertised.pdf

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

• University degree in epidemiology, medicine, public health or supply chain management, with further training on vaccine management, cold chain and supply management. Familiarity with relevant WHO and UNICEF guidelines and tools.
• At least (5) years of experience in international public health programme management including at least three (3) years in immunization, with experience in low- and middle-income countries, preferably in the areas of:
  • Cold chain and Logistics management systems
  • Supply chain management, bottleneck and root cause analysis
  • Familiarity with inventory policies, allocation, ordering and distribution strategies and other supply chain operations
  • Health systems strengthening
  • Assessing and measuring supply chain performance
• Experience interfacing with national ministries of health an advantage.
• Experience in developing multi-year operational plans

• Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

• Skills required

  • Good data management and analysis skills
  • Strong facilitation skills
  • Effective communication skills, including ability to adapt the message and visual aids for multiple audiences to deliver concise, impactful presentations
  • Excellent analytical and conceptual skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

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:

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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.