National Consultant: COVAX Cold Chain Consultant (Home Based), Lilongwe, Malawi

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 Government of Malawi has been receiving support in the management of vaccines significantly from GAVI and other Donors for a long period of time. This support is expected to continue flowing with Malawi government also making some contributions.

The above notwithstanding, the proportion of children who are fully immunized at 12 months of age has remained relatively low. In 2005, only 59% of children aged 12–23 months were fully vaccinated by 12 months of age. Over the years, Malawi has sustained high routine immunization coverage of over 80% for childhood antigens, achieving a non-polio acute flaccid paralysis rate of 2.7% and a measles rate of over 2%. In 2010, there were outbreaks of measles countrywide. The major challenges faced by the programme include mobilization of resources for responding to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and for introduction of new vaccines. MOH has plan to conduct nationwide Measles Rubella Campaign in early 2017 which required to initiate the plan at least nine months ahead of the campaign.

Malawi conducted a cold chain assessment in 2011 and not only came up with an inventory of cold chain equipment but also identified capacity requirements that needed to be strengthened. The report made recommendations on a number of programme components that need strengthening at both national and district levels, including the development and implementation of the cold chain rehabilitation and expansion plan for 2011–2015. As part of the plan, Malawi is constructing a national vaccine store and renovating the regional vaccine stores. The plan also addresses transportation and cold chain training as a way of strengthening immunization systems.

In order to sustain quality vaccine management for effective immunization coverage in Malawi, provision of continued technical assistance to Ministry of Health (MOH) is crucial. UNICEF country office has plan to recruit a national cold chain consultant to support EPI team of MOH to monitor, assist and improve the bottlenecks in the Cold Chain system. The national consultant will assist Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) unit of MOH to improve the quality of cold chain management that will ultimately contribute to the reduction of vaccine wastage and improvement of effective immunization coverage.

How can you make a difference?

Malawi has one of the most successful EPI programmes in the Africa Region. For many years now, the programme has sustained a high coverage of immunization above 80%. This has greatly reduced the burden of infectious disease. With support from donors, the programme has organized localized immunization campaigns to ensure that immunization coverage in low performing areas is boosted and herd immunity is assured.

The introduction of COVID – 19 vaccines pose another challenge towards the cold chain management. Currently Malawi is using AstraZeneca type of COVID – 19 vaccines. However, more other vaccines are expected to arrive in-country, including Johnson and Johnson plus Pfizer vaccines. these vaccines need a very strong and functional cold chain to maintain potency.

It is for this reason therefore that a Cold chain technician will be recruited for 11.5 months to support maintenance and improvements of the cold chain system in the country to deliver on the activities.

Under the direct supervision of Health Specialist (Community Health) of Health Section, the Cold Chain Consultant to ensure all refrigerators are fully functional and breakdowns are rectified in time. The Consultant will further be responsible for updating the Inventory Management Tool (IMT) every quarter to have up-to date database for ease of decision making. The Cold Chain Consultant will also work in liaison with Cold Chain & Vaccine Management Specialist and Supply Unit of UNICEF, in planning, procurement, contracting of cold chain equipment. In addition, the consultant will champion and ensure coherent and continues management of the cold chain management process and report on a regular basis the progression of against the agreed integration plan.

The consultant is expected to present, in detail, their approach, methodology and tools, with an action plan and time frame that addresses the cold chain system, with reference to the overall and specific tasks.

Coordination

• Participates in the partnership between the MoH governance and key stakeholders to address key gaps identified in immunization cold chain management.
• Organizes and leads joint field visits for cold chain at sites with MOH teams.
• Team with the Health Section and other members of the Operations Section to facilitate procurement as well as efficient customs clearance, storage and distribution of the Cold Chain Equipment.
• Develop and maintain partnership and collaborative relations with UNICEF, Government, UN and bilateral counterparts in cold chain activities, including distribution, monitoring and inventory.

Update a cold chain inventory database and analyze the key findings on status of the cold chain equipment in Malawi.

• Provide support to EPI in quarterly updating the database either remotely or by organizing field visits.
• Make presentation during technical meetings including PMT, ISC, etc.

Develop a cold chain replacement and rehabilitation plan and provide technical advice including specifications for recommended cold chain equipment; and mapping of key stakeholders

• Review the current cold chain inventory and develop a replacement and rehabilitation plan in liaison with EPI.
• Ensure the plan is updated biannually
• Provide support to EPI by facilitating stakeholder mapping in Cold Chain Equipment to ensure equal support to districts, Regions and National cold chain stores

Ensure 80% functionality of cold chain equipment throughout the country

• Provide technical support to the EPI to improve functionality and operationalization of the cold chain including the zonal stores; strengthen maintenance and also strengthen mechanisms for dynamic inventory for cold chain and immunization transport.
• Provide technical assistance to EPI to develop training curriculum for corrective and preventive maintenance.
• Provide support to building capacities of EPI Coordinators, cold chain technicians, and end users in corrective and preventive maintenance.
• Regularly monitor the CCE functionality in liaison with EPI.

Support Installation of Cold Rooms and ILRs with support from Japanese Government

• Support EPI with installation of WICR and ILRs as a way of strengthening the Cold Chain System as the country continues to combat C-19 Pandemic.

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

• Facilitate reports and documentaries on the cold chain good practices in Malawi in liaison with the Communications team and Ministry of Health.

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

• Academic qualification:

  • First university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Engineering, Cold Chain or related to cold chain operations in UNICEF programme areas, or technical qualification in cold chain maintenance.

• Work experience:

  • Minimum five years progressively responsible professional work experience at national level in 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.

• Languages:

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

Please refer to the attached detailed Terms of Reference for more details and requirements Final TOR for Cold Chain consultant_COVAX_2Aug 2021.pdf

How to apply...

Interested consultants should provide the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Brief technical proposal (no longer than five pages) demonstrating the consultant’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). Complete the attached form Financial Proposal for Consultancy.xlsx
4. References details

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Strong analytical, negotiation, oral and written communication skills
• Effective presenter including 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 national level and for front line health workers as well
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.