International Individual Contractor– Immunization Coordination and Supply Chain (11.5 months)

Contract

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to UNICEF and the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) in cold chain support across the entire immunisation programme including for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Background:

Declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has already resulted in 2,548 deaths in Botswana as of 31 December 2021 and the number of confirmed cases continues to increase, averaging more than 5000 cases per day during the fourth wave in December 2021, driven by the omicron variant. As of 19 March 2022, a total of 305,410 positive cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the country with 2, 686 deaths. This makes Botswana one of the five countries with the highest cumulative attack rates in the African region with 98,928 cases per million population. During the period between 30 March 2020 to 19 March 2022, a total of 2,232,863 COVID-19 tests have been conducted. Botswana continues to conduct testing at all ports of entry. To add to the complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic Botswana isolated the new variant, 501Y.V2 that emerged in South Africa, suspected of driving the surge in COVID-19 cases, and on 26 November 2021, WHO announced a new variant first sequenced in Botswana, the B.1.1.529 which has been named the Omicron variant, that spreads faster than the Delta variant, further driving the pandemic to new levels. Botswana has since adopted a multi-pronged approach to the management of COVID-19 positive patients The roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine has now become a public health priority for the country. The National Vaccine Deployment Plan (NDVP) has been endorsed and uploaded to the COVAX portal as of February 2021. The plan details operational areas critical to effective and efficient deployment of COVID-19 vaccines including ensuring emergency regulatory procedures to facilitate timely access to COVID-19 vaccines; coordination mechanisms and strengthening the supply chain and logistics for the COVID-19 vaccine. The strategy is to attain vaccination coverage sufficient to obtain population herd immunity, targeting all persons aged 18 years and above. With evidence for vaccination of children becoming more available, coupled with the availability of vaccines, at the end of December 2021, the MOH&W adopted a plan to extend to phase 4 of the vaccination roll out, with inclusion of vaccination of children below 18, and this will be in three steps: 12 to 17 age group first, starting in January 2022, then further to the 5 to 11 age group, once more evidence emerges, the 0 to 4 age group will be targeted for vaccination. As part of the COVID-19 containment measures, Botswana officially started the nationwide rollout of COVID-19 vaccine on 26 March 2021. As of 31st December 2021, the country had received at least 5 million doses and a total 1,171,577 (76.5%) first doses vaccines had been administered and 1,034,735 (67.6%) individuals fully vaccinated. Due to simultaneous rollout of multiple vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and J&J) and some with short shelf-life, COVID-19 vaccine management has been a complex exercise. Given that the vaccine supply volumes increased dramatically in Q4 2021, there is an urgent need to strengthen cold chain capacity and to improve absorption rates through intensified efforts to use up the 3million doses currently in stock. UNICEF’s RCCE efforts have contributed to the completion and implementation of the RCCE strategy, however, the community engagement can be strengthened even further to curb the plateauing noted for those needing to receive booster shots. To this end, UNICEF Botswana, is seeking for a contractor who will be embedded within the national EPI office at MoHW to provide technical assistance and coordination to support the effective planning and monitoring of cold chain of the vaccines, including those in EPI routine vaccination, effectively manage supply chain of the existing vaccines under the EPI as well as COVID-19 vaccines, Type text here coordinate data management as well as participate in the review of the NDVP to include other vaccination target populations. The consultant will also be expected to provide technical assistance during the upcoming post vaccine introduction evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccines that the county may embark on.

Scope of Work:

The individual contractor is being sought to work closely with the UNICEF Health and Nutrition specialist, UNICEF senior management and the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness to support the immunisation programme to roll out Covid-19 vaccines efficiently and effectively as well particular focus of support will include, but not limited to, programme planning and implementation in relation to the vaccine roll-out, monitoring and evaluation of the national C19 vaccine deployment, capacity-building, strengthening immunisation supply chain management through Effective Vaccine Management, Cold Chain management, as well as partner engagement and resource mobilisation with regard to vaccine deployment and other routine vaccines. In addition to the deliverables specified, an inception report and monthly progress reports will be required.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone Deliverables/Outputs Timeline

1. Provide an interpretation of the assignment and proposed strategy of implementation, including but not limited to timelines and key indicators.Approved Inception ReportWeek 2 in May 20222. Provide technical guidance to MoHW on COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and monitor work progress in the NDVP and support efforts to ensure that planned activities are achieved according to schedule and in alignment with performance standards.Approved monitoring reports on national COVID-19 vaccine roll outContinuous

May – April

3. In collaboration with RO undertake the Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessments and development of cIP, to ensure the link to Immunization financing through comprehensive Multi Year Plan (cMYPs) and Health System Strengthening (HSS)EVM assessment report and improvement planAugust 20224. Support the national EPI team and partners to implement EVM-based improvement plan towards better performance across the supply chain standards
4. Monitor roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines as well as EPI vaccines, support the MoHW in analysing challenges and opportunities and

report progress against programmatic indicators.

6. Provides strategic, logistical, and programmatic support to the BCO Vaccine deployment team and other UNICEF senior management staff on corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners. Highlight to UNICEF senior management areas requiring immediate support. Continuous

May – April

7. Provides strategic advice on the monitoring and evaluation, of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, including tracking of vaccination coverage, use of existing systems and the establishment of new ones.Analytical report on M&E of COVID vaccine roll-out, including recommendations around overcoming challengesJune 20228. Findings, experiences, lessons learned, best practices and new methods are systematically captured, analyzed and effectively shared with program staff in UNICEF Botswana and the ESA Regional Office.Documented lessons learned and best practices (at least 3) shared with UNICEF Botswana, ESARO and Government of BotswanaJuly 20229. Provides support to Government for reporting to the regional monitoring systems e-g WHO dashboard, e-JRF monthly reports, monthly reports to RO.Global reports updated periodicallyContinuous

May – April

10. Provide technical advice and support to the Immunization team to conduct bottleneck analysis around low rates of routine immunization coverage, including around cold chain, and propose remedial actions.Bottleneck analysis report, including actionable and timebound recommendationsJune 2022

Estimated

Minimum Qualifications required:

Advanced university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Project Management, Data Management and Analysis, Public Health or related to supply and logistics operations in UNICEF program areas.

First university degree combined with relevant professional work experience and understanding of relevant functions may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree

Experience

Minimum of 8 years progressively responsible professional work experience in logistics, cold chain management, health / immunization supply chain; implementing and monitoring EPI and public health programs at national level, including in low- or middle-income settings

- Knowledge of the latest development in the field of temperature studies and/or cold chain equipment management is highly desirable - Experience in conducting health supply chain assessments, EVM assessments, GDP audits would be an added value. - Proven experience working in child health in low- or middle-income settings, an advantage - Familiarity with WHO/UNICEF guidelines in child health and immunization

Skills:

- Ability to work independently, under pressure, and within deadlines, including strong planning and coordination skills - Good communication, advocacy and people skills and the ability to communicate with various stakeholders and to express concisely and clearly ideas and concepts in written and oral form. - Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills, with ability to lead/train a group of individuals and impart knowledge.

Knowledge:

- In-depth knowledge on immunization, introduction of new vaccines, knowledge on AEFI, risk management, writing strategies, policies, knowledge and experience with data collection, data management analysis and reporting are essential. - Solid knowledge and expertise working with multiple technical agencies working in the immunization field. - Experience working with UNICEF and WHO is an asset Languages: professional level knowledge of written and spoken English is a requirement. All reports must be submitted in English.

Administrative issues:

The selection and conditions of service of consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s Policies and General Terms and Conditions for individual consultants/contractors.

No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant/contractor. Consultant/Contractor will be required to complete mandatory online courses (e.g. Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security) upon receipt of offer and before the signature of contract.

Consultant/Contractor will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants/contractors and to share an applicable proof of health insurance covering medical evacuation (if travel is involved) prior to taking up the assignment.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit an online application through the Talent Management System (TMS) including financial proposals (all-inclusive costs). Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates. 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

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:

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.