National Consultant - COVID-19 Vaccination Coordinator, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia for 11.5 months (For Ethiopian Nationals only)

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, Care

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic globally and in Ethiopia has been multi-faceted, involving social, economic, and psychological aspects, jeopardizing the overall well-being of its people. The development of multiple vaccines has been the mainstay of protecting individuals and preventing the spread of the infection. To accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access to vaccines for every country in the world, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), GAVI, and the World Health Organization, alongside key delivery partner UNICEF, have created (and co-leading) the COVAX facility.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Join our team to Plan, coordinate, and execute UNICEF’s overall support to Federal Ministry of Health, Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs) and UNICEF Field Offices for the deployment of COVID-19 vaccine in the country and coordinate responsibilities assigned to UNICEF under COVAX and other donor support to the country.

Work assignment overview

• Under the overall supervision of the Health Manager/ Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, the consultant will work in close coordination with EPI, C4D, and health emergency team at the health section and supply section of the UNICEF country office to execute respective tasks. Technical oversight will also be sought from UNICEF ESA Regional COVAX focal person.
• The consultant will be based at UNICEF Country Office, Addis Ababa, with regular travel to the field to support regions and UNICEF Field Offices and monitor the implementation. The duration is 11 months and 15 days from the start date (expected start date September 2021)
• The payment will be monthly upon submission of the monthly activity and achievements report.

Scope of work

Goal and Objective:

The main purpose of this assignment is to plan, oversee, and coordinate UNICEF’s support to COVID -19 vaccine, program planning and management in the country with a particular focus on UNICEF’s key mandate areas – Cold Chain and Vaccine Supply Management, and Communication and Community Engagement and coordinate health section and with supply and other sections for a coordinated response.

Prepare and submit a monthly report on activities conducted and the achievements

Deliverables:

Under the guidance and supervision of the UNICEF Health Manager / Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, the consultant (will work closely with the FMOH, WHO, CDC, USAID, EPSA, and other in-country partners to improve the planning, management, and monitoring of the COVID-19 vaccination program in the country to achieve high coverage in target populations.

Following are the specific tasks:

• Oversee and coordinate UNICEF’s overall support for the planning, managing, and monitoring of the COVID-19 vaccination program in the country.
• Coordinate with FMOH, UNICEF Supply Division, and different sections in the country office to manage UNICEF’s mandate related to the procurement of CCEs, PPEs, vaccines and the technical resource deployment as agreed under the funding from COVAX and the World Bank and other donors.
• Work closely with FMOH EPI case team and EPSA and represent UNICEF at various technical and program meetings and forums related to COVID-19 vaccination.
• Monitor implementation of UNICEF supported COVID -19 interventions including cold chain equipment installations and management, training of health workers etc.
• Coordinate with partners for synchronized support to the program and the ministry
• Prepare a weekly update (or as required by the country and regional offices) and share.
• Keep an update of the UNICEF-specific support, especially requirements and pipelines related to the cold chain, vaccines, and logistics related to COVID-19 vaccination.
• Coordinate health section inputs to any grant proposals related to the COVID-19 vaccination program, monitor the grant utilization, and prepare quality donor reports for timely submission.
• Participate in UNICEF internal meetings to update on the current situation and asks for the organization.
• Provide off-site and on-site technical support to RHBs and UNICEF Field Offices to better plan and implement the COVID-19 vaccination program in the regions.

Deliverables summery

Timelines

Report on analysis of UNICEF supported covid -19 vaccine interventions and funding and an action plan on how to effectively manage the response

First month and then quarterly

Prepare update on COVID-19 Vaccination status in the country

Weekly

Provide regular monthly activity report on the tasks performed and achievements

Monthly

Report on status of implementation of grants to UNICEF from COVAX, World Bank’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Project and other donors and utilisation plans to accelerate absorption within required grant timelines.

Quarterly

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in medical sciences, health sciences, epidemiology, public health management, or related fields from a recognized University/Institution *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 7 [Seven] years] of relevant professional experience in applied public health at the national level, including minimum of two years in immunization
• Good knowledge of the health sector and related supply chain and commodities
• Ability to work independently and to meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical, presentation, and communication skills
• Skills for working with teams, governments, and partners and in a diverse environment
• Good computer knowledge
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently out of the duty station
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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...

[insert competencies]

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:

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.