National Consultant on Vaccine Management, Cold Chain and Logistics (for Tajik nationals only), 11 months duration

Consultant Programme & Policy

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,

Since 1993, UNICEF’s Office in the Republic of Tajikistan has been working in close cooperation with government institutions, civil society, media, professional associations, and academic institutions in Tajikistan to help the Government fulfill its obligation to empower children to fully claim and enjoy their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

To learn more about what we do, please visit our website

Background:

On January 30, 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), and on March 11, 2020, the outbreak was described as a pandemic.

On June 4, 2020, GAVI established Advance Market Commitment for COVID-19 Vaccines (Gavi Covax AMC), a new financing instrument aimed at incentivizing vaccine manufacturers to produce sufficient eventual COVID-19 vaccines to ensure access for developing countries. As eligible for GAVI COVAX AMC country, the Minister of Health and Social Protection of Population of the Republic Tajikistan (MOHSPP) developed an operational deployment plan and introduced the COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

Staring from 17th of March 2021, the country has been receiving the COVID vaccines through the COVAX AMC and other countries. By 13th of October 2021, around 2,5 mln target population (43.5%) received the first dose and 35.4% the second dose of the COVID vaccine. In parallel to COVID vaccination, the Republican Center for Immunoprophylactics (RCIP) ensures continuation of routine vaccination of children through implementation of the National Programme for Immunoprophylactics.

This process involves coordination, planning and budgeting; vaccine, cold chain and logistics management; surveillance and reporting; and advocacy, communication and social mobilization (ACSM) including risk communication and media management. UNICEF is leading the ACSM/C4D, vaccines and logistics management, and cold chain systems maintenance as well as technical advice/assistance on micro-planning and programme management.

The Vaccine Management (VM) consultant is required to support UNICEF Country office and the Ministry of Health (MoH) on vaccines and related immunization logistical services planning and delivery to effectively support implementation of the operational deployment plan for COVID-19 vaccination and national immunization program.

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE:

UNICEF intends to engage a national consultant on vaccine management, who will responsible for assisting the Republican center for immunoprophylactics in the planning, use, stock management, disposal, monitoring and tracking of both the COVID and routine immunization vaccines.

KEY MONTHLY DELIVERABLES:

#

Tasks/Milestone

Deliverables/Outputs

1

Ensure issues in vaccine management are identified and actively addressed at local level;

Monthly report on vaccine distribution and stock at the national and regional levels;

2

Ensure the proper functioning of the cold chain: temperature readings, recycling of ice packs, packaging of vaccines, etc.

Plan, receive, store, deploy and monitor COVID-19 related logistics (UCC equipment, shippers) including waste management as per manufacturer’s guidelines.

1. Monthly report on cold chain status (issues, shortage, etc).
2. Distribution plan for each types of vaccines and required cold chain equipment;

3

Support National Vaccine Logistics Working Group to effectively manage the arrivals, storage, temperature monitoring and control during storage and distribution and redistribution, vaccine accountability, disposal and waste management for COVID-19 and routine vaccines

1. The distribution plan for vaccine, management and communication tools is shared with all levels seven days before shipments begin.
2. The number of vials, management and communication tools expected, match with the number received

4

Support RCIP to up-to-date stock management data including on forecast/actual quantities, stock-on-hand, consumption rates, expiry dates, open and closed vial wastage, critical operational challenges and data use for action;

1. Vaccine forecast
2. Vaccine consumption data are collected, verified and compiled in the vaccine management report;

5

Lead the development of monthly vaccine accountability reports at national and subnational levels, including stock receipts, distribution, utilization, and wastage rates.

Monthly report form region and national level on stock receipts, distribution, utilization, and wastage rates.

6

Conduct field visits to monitor the level of preparedness of health areas, to verify proper vaccine management;

Organize capacity development events and devise on-the-job training plans for key partners;

Monitoring report consisting of the following elements: vaccine management at regional and district levels, challenges, , on-job training and key recommendations.

7

Provide monthly report with update on the status of above-mentioned activities and recommendations.

Monthly report

Payment term: Monthly payment upon submission of the monthly report. The consultant must prepare and submit a monthly activity report (outline of the report provided by UNICEF) which will determine the payment of his or her monthly benefit. A technical evaluation will be conducted at the end of the contract.

Travel: Transportation to the regions and districts will be arranged by UNICEF. DSA will be paid based on UNICFF rates.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:

The evaluation of the results will be based on:

1. Technical and professional competence (quality of the products delivered to UNICEF);
2. Scope of work (e.g. No. of meetings with the stakeholders);
3. Quality of work (quality of methodology, draft, and final report);
4. Quantity of work (completing the tasks indicated in the table above within the set timeframe)

In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility, drive for results, and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the Consultant’s work.

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

Education:

• A university degree (Advanced degree is an advantage), preferably in relevant field (e.g., business planning, supply chain management, economics, international development studies, medicine, procurement, logistics, or other quantitative degree).
• To have knowledge of the health system in the country; Familiarity with inventory policies, allocation, ordering and distribution strategies and other supply chain operations;

• Knowledge of computer management techniques, including Internet browsing.

  Work experience:

• At least (5-8) years of experience in public health programme management including at least three (3) years in immunization

Competencies:

• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills.
• Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.
• Have a very good ability to write documents;
• Have an organizational and managerial capacity;
• Know how to maintain good relations with all partners;
• Be a team player;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Have the ability to communicate and train.

Language:

• Excellent written and verbal communication in Tajik, and Russian

• Knowledge of English an asset.

  REQUIREMENTS:

  Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with the proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy in TJS per month, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate (as well as travel and subsistence costs, as applicable).
4. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
5. At least two references

Queries can be sent to tad-tajikistan@unicef.org with the subject line “National Consultant in Vaccine Management, Cold Chain and Logistics”. Applications must be received in the system by 14 Nov. 2021 on our website:http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/545821?lApplicationSubSourceID=

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible cost.

Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria.

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.

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.

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.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org