National Consultancy : Zonal Polio Outbreak Response Contractors (Open to Malawian Nationals Only)

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...

Malawi achieved polio-free status in 2002 and was certified in 2005. The last polio cases in Malawi were reported in 1992. In 2018, Malawi reported a case of Vaccine Derived Polio virus from Nsanje district bordering. It was further established that this was a case from Mozambique and only came to Malawi seeking health services. The records of the case were further transferred to Mozambique for further follow up. In April 2016, Malawi switched from tOPV to bOPV; the country has not used the mOPV2 for any immunization. Injectable Polio IPV was introduced into the routine immunization schedules in December 2018. The current polio routine immunization schedule is: OPV0 from birth to 13 days, OPV1 at 6 weeks, OPV2 at 10 weeks, OPV3 and IPV at 14 weeks.

The implementation of polio eradication activities is coordinated by the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) under the Directorate of Preventive Health Services. The three Polio committees; National Polio Expert Committee (NPEC), National Certification Committee (NCC) and the National Task Force (NTF) on Polio support polio work in the country.

In view of the evidence of circulation of WPV-1, the Government of Malawi, with support from WHO and UNICEF immediately started to prepare the outbreak responses. UNICEF is accountable for supporting the government in the areas of Communication for Development (C4D), vaccines and logistics management and programme management.

This ToR has been prepared to hire 5 Zonal Polio Outbreak Response consultants to facilitate the capacity building of the mid-level managers in timely and effective implementation of polio Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) aiming high immunization coverage.

How can you make a difference?

The zonal polio outbreak response consultants will work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) , District Health Offices (DHO) , WHO and other partners, to implement high quality integrated polio immunization campaigns in selected districts.

Following are the specific tasks:

• Review of the technical capacities of the DHO and assist them preparing SIA micro-plan and detailed operational plans
• Assist the national and district managers in association with WHO to organize training of the district and health facility in-charges on polio SIA
• Prepare/identify training materials for the health managers, vaccinators, social mobilizers and other team members and ensure the quality of such training
• Conduct supportive supervision, monitoring and mentoring visit
• Day-to-day monitoring and spot checks of the campaign activities, cold chain and vaccine management and SBCC activities
• Monitor progress of the campaign and organize intra campaign reviews with the government and partners
• Assist the districts in the analysis of coverage data and support them in planning and conducting mop-up activities as necessary

• Regular coverage and data management and visualize them in key performance indicators

• Collect and compile data from districts and prepare implementation and coverage report by each district and conduct de-briefing on the lessons learnt and recommendations

• Prepare and submit final report of the activity, analysis of the responses, including the lessons learnt and recommendations at the end of the mission

• Document country good practices throughout the process including related to challenges, lessons learned and critical success factors

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

Academic qualification:

• A university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Social Sciences, Nursing, Medical doctor.

  Work experience:

• Minimum two years progressively responsible professional work experience at the national level in SBCC, cold chain maintenance, vaccine and logistics management, EPI programming.

• Work experience managing large-scale projects, working with governments, working in resource-limited settings, monitoring and evaluating supply chains, and risk management, mitigation will be an asset.

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Product knowledge on SBCC, cold chain equipment, new cold chain technologies and understanding of the principles of vaccine management, knowledge and experience with data collection, data management analysis and reporting are essential.
• Knowledge of procurement processes and good distribution practices could be beneficial.

Competencies:

• Strong analytical, negotiation, oral and written communication skills.
• Effective presenter including the ability to adapt the message and visual aids for multiple audiences to deliver concise, impactful presentations of primary health care interventions.
• Effective facilitator with proven ability to engage and train a group of individuals at the national level and for front line health workers as well.

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

  Languages:

• Written and spoken fluency in both the local language and English is required.

Please refer to the attached full Terms of Reference TOR for Zonal Polio Outbreak Response contractor.pdf for more details on the consultancy and requirements.

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.

HOW TO APPLY...

Interested consultants should provide the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Brief technical proposal (no longer than five pages) demonstrating the contractor’s understanding of the assignment and approach/methodology to the assignment
3. Financial proposal including a breakdown of their all-inclusive fees (including professional fees, travel, living cost, visa and other costs). Financial Proposal for Consultancy.xlsx Complete the attached form.
4. References details

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.