National consultant on immunization system strengthening in Kazakhstan

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National consultant on immunization system strengthening in Kazakhstan

Type of contract: Consultant Duration: 6 months, from 01 May 2021 to 31 October 2021 Number of working days: 6 months Workplace: UNICEF Office in Kazakhstan (based in Nur-Sultan), office-based/remote-based

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, a fair chance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=E1xkXZs0cAQ

Background

During the last decade the Government of Kazakhstan is consistently reporting immunization coverage with MCV1 and MCV2 as high - 98-99%. WHO and UNICEF immunization coverage estimates also indicate high coverage, as the estimates are based on country reports. However, MICS 2015 shows that the percentage of children aged 24-35 months who received measles vaccine by their second birthday was 95.1% Measles vaccine was included in the national calendar of immunization in 1964, the 2nd dose was included in the national calendar of routine immunization in 1999. Currently the immunization calendar against measles include: Vaccination at 12 months and Revaccination at 6 years. So, young people born before 1999 did not receive the second dose. Despite high reported administrative coverage of measle vaccination, Kazakhstan faced a measles outbreak in 2019. This highlights persistent immunity gaps and systems weaknesses, which are likely to be worsened due to COVID19 related disruptions on immunization services. In an effort to respond to the ongoing outbreak and prevent the further accumulation of susceptible, un-immunized children, UNICEF will support the Government in providing technical support to address system gaps in evidence generation, quantification, forecasting, supply planning and budgeting for vaccine procurement, demand creation among parents and capacity building of health professionals including vaccinators and frontline workers, strengthening education/in-service component, conducting root cause analysis of the outbreak. These interventions will contribute to the Government of Kazakhstan efforts to respond to the measles outbreak, including procurement and distribution of vaccines in accordance with the National Plan of Immunization Strengthening. Thus, in 2020, UNICEF has mobilized resources and technical expertise and started to provide support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and its respective divisions, including the Committee for Quality Control and Safety of Goods and Services of the MoH, the National Centre of Public Health, the National Scientific Center of Pediatrics and the local Departments of Health (DOH) under Akimats on improvement of national and subnational policies and immunization services for mothers and children under 5 based on evidence-based approach. It is currently planned to sustain this programme intervention through: 1) providing technical support in quality assurance of implemented integrated programmes on immunization services for mothers and children from 0 to 5 through the evidence generation, mapping of resources and advocacy among the stakeholders and local communities. 2) providing technical support in organizing catch up immunization activities as the routine vaccination was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 in 2020. 3) facilitating the follow up after validation with the Ministry of Health of the assessment of the root causes of the measles outbreak jointly with the international consultant and in coordination with other international and national partners (i.e. CDC, WHO). 3) contributing to gather and assess data on immunization coverage, including measles, to support the improvement of quality of the immunization services in rural and urban areas. 4) providing support to communication work contributing to a comprehensive measles outbreak response and addressing vaccination hesitancy among parents and other groups. 5) supporting in equipping the Ministry of Health’s specialists and other relevant stakeholders with the standards on procurement, forecasting processes among relevant staff of local and national governments, standards on interpersonal communication among frontline workers and communication staff, vaccine safety and contraindication in line with the approved work plan. 6) providing technical support to academia in revising and developing the educational modules on immunization, including in e-learning format, in accordance with the international standards. 7) facilitating coordination with the involved stakeholders, including the governmental counterparts at the national and local levels, international partners (i.e. USAID, CDC, WHO), UNICEF RO and academia and conducting monitoring field trips (or remotely), to ensure timely and efficient implementation of the project to strengthen immunization system, including the response to the measles outbreak.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant is to assist the Ministry of Health in supporting routine immunization system strengthening towards a comprehensive measles outbreak response

Purpose of the Assignment

The consultant is expected to perform tasks and contribute to the accomplishment of the following deliverables as listed below:

1. The National Technical Working group meetings are conducted to support the implementation of the programme (at least 4 meetings supported); field trips are conducted to the regions (if the lockdown is lifted). 2. Consultations (at least 2 on-line meetings) conducted with the national and local health authorities on planning for post COVID-19 immunization catch-up campaign; Local plans (at least 3) on catch up campaign are finalized to inform the MoH efforts. 3. External assessment report on the root causes of the measles outbreak with support of international experts is completed (including validation with partners and advocacy based the findings) and follow up is ensured; the improvement plan to address the assessment recommendations is developed and discussed with the Government partners; 4. Support the communication team in presentation of the survey results on parents’ and healthcare workers vaccine hesitancy reasons and dissemination among the relevant stakeholders; 5. In collaboration with the communication unit, MoH endorsement of the National communication strategy and plan of actions to address vaccine hesitancy and increase demand for immunization, including vaccination against measles, is ensured; 6. In coordination with the Procurement Officer and international expert, the field visits/on-line assessments are conducted to produce Evaluation of Vaccine Management report with recommendations (i.e. schedule, support letters, ToR); Discussion with the stakeholders is organized to present the findings of the report for its validation; Action Plan is drafted to address the recommendations. 7. Trainings (at least 5 courses (6 sessions each) for health service providers and health experts on interpersonal communication are facilitated based on education modules developed by Drexel University (including ToR, schedule of sessions, coordination with MoH on the participants, arranging sessions and follow up). Facilitation of the roll-out of the trainings at the national level. 8. Workshops (at least 5 courses, online or on-site) for health service providers and health experts on vaccination safety and false contraindications to vaccination based on WHO training manual are conducted (including ToR, schedule of sessions, coordination with MoH on the participants, arranging sessions and follow up). 9. In collaboration with the communication unit, support in capacity building of the MoH, National Public Health Centre, akimats (healthcare departments) communication personnel on routine immunization. 10. Based on the desk review of available education modules on immunization in medical universities and college, provide technical support in identifying relevant learning materials on immunization to be uploaded on the e-learning platform (being developed by UNICEF with international supplier); In partnership with the relevant academia and/or training medical centers, update according to the latest international standards is developed; Discussion with the medical universities and colleges is conducted to outline further integration in their curriculum. 11. Expert review of articles under the special media project on routine immunisation as well as Information and Education materials for parents and healthcare workers, including videos.

The consultant will work closely with the national and international consultants under the implementation of the main tasks and accomplishment of the deliverables.

Work Assignment Overview

Deliverables and tasks Immunization consultant 2021.docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… • Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems, Biostatistics, Biotechnology or related field • Experience in scientific/research including planning and conduct of population research • Fluency in English language and ability to write quality reports on epidemiology or other related health fields; knowledge of Kazakh and Russian languages is an advantage • Highly developed communication skills • Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment • Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner • Excellent analytical and organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to contribute to a team • Competencies: - Drive for Results; - Formulating Strategies and Concepts. - Technical competencies: 1) Disease epidemiology 2) The main principles for investigating measles outbreak 3) Advocacy and communication for effective public awareness

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (https://www.unicef.org/about/unicef-culture) View our functional competencies framework

Remarks: • Completion of the UN/UNICEF mandatory trainings is obligatory upon commencement of the contract. • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. • 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. • 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. • All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. • The Individual contractor or Consultant will perform his/her duties in line with UNICEF standards and procedures. • The successful candidate will be required to have medical insurance (at his/her own cost), covering the whole period of contract, including travel. • 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. • Payment upon completion of each deliverable according to schedule