Re-advertisement: Consultant to conduct series of online webinars "Routine immunization services during COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine safety and false contraindications" for health workers, as

Consultant

Overview

Conduct online webinars on immunization services during COVID-19 for healthcare workers.

You have:

• Bachelor's or Master's or PhD in healthcare or medical education.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the healthcare area, including teaching skills.
• Good knowledge of integrated management of childhood diseases, vaccination, and information on immunization during COVID-19.
• Very good communication skills.
• Fluency in Russian (writing and speaking).
• Ability to work in international and multicultural environment.
• Good command of computer programmes and online platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Contract

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Consultant to conduct series of online webinars "Routine immunization services during COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine safety and false contraindications" for health workers, as well as for teachers of medical universities

Type of contract: Consultant contract Hiring unit: Kazakhstan Country Office Workplace: remote-based, part-time Timeframe: 35 working days, Aug 2020 – Sep 2020

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

UNICEF is actively working with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan to support efforts to reduce infant mortality, including from infectious causes. Due to the widespread use of vaccines, and the generally high level of vaccination coverage in Kazakhstan, significant progress has been noted in achieving this goal. However, the country continues to experience outbreaks of measles and rubella, including large-scale outbreaks. The reasons for the continued transmission of measles and rubella viruses in Kazakhstan are: - an increase in the number of susceptible persons among older children and young people who remained outside the vaccination program during childhood or were not routinely vaccinated and who did not survive natural disease, due to the reduced exposure to infection due to the decrease in the incidence of measles and rubella after the introduction of the vaccine; - a decrease in the acceptability of immunization among the population, especially in Western European countries, due to a lack of alertness about the severity of the disease and due to an unjustified perception of the risks and benefits of vaccination; - lack of strong recommendations regarding vaccination during visits of the population to medical facilities, due to poor skills of health workers on vaccine safety and false contraindications, which leads to missed opportunities to get vaccinated and to suboptimal vaccination coverage in most regions of the country; - ongoing reforms of the country's health systems, which have an impact on pre- and postgraduate education, funding, organization and availability of immunization and epidemiological surveillance services. Taking into account the measles outbreak since November 2018, as well as the growing negative attitudes towards vaccination from various categories of the population, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan has developed a Comprehensive Plan to Improve Immunization, including measures to increase the capacity of health workers and teachers of medical universities and colleges. At the same time, given the increasing burden on all medical organizations due to the pandemic, the COVID-19 viral infection, the quality of medical services for mothers and children remains a priority in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in society. In line with the Work Plan of the Ministry of Health and UNICEF and the Comprehensive Immunization Plan, UNICEF in Kazakhstan has developed a response plan to strengthen the routine immunization system and mobilized funds for its implementation. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on routine immunization, since, firstly, scheduled visits to polyclinics, including routine vaccinations, were temporarily canceled during the quarantine period, secondly, the population is afraid of visiting polyclinics due to coronavirus infection, and thirdly the public has expressed concerns about the safety of vaccines, and public attention is focused on the side effects of vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the cause of a public health emergency of international concern, the COVID-19 pandemic (caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus) has garnered worldwide attention with unprecedented resonance. Vaccination coverage is 30% as of 20 July 2020. Kazakhstan has initiated a number of measures to contain the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the negative impact of the outbreak on health systems, including the need to transfer resources to implement the COVID-19 response. The planning did not pay due attention to minimizing the increased risk of morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. This disruption, even for a short time, will lead to an increase the number of susceptible individuals and an increased likelihood of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The anticipated outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases could cause deaths and an increase in the burden on the health system, already under great strain in the response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of this situation, health workers who provide immunization are the most significant factor in influencing people's decisions about vaccination for themselves or their children; that is why it is so important to provide healthcare professionals with the necessary information and education, including vaccine safety, false contraindications, and immunization during the COVID-19 period. Training is needed for health workers and teachers at medical universities and colleges to support routine immunization work. The content of the training will be based on the WHO Training Manual "Vaccine Safety and False Contraindications", WHO Guidelines for Routine Immunization during COVID-19 Pandemic in the WHO European Region, Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 7, 2020 No. 360-VI "On the Health of the People and the System Healthcare ", State Program for the Development of Healthcare 2020-2025, Order of the Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated February 4, 2015 No. 76" On approval of the Rules for the storage, transportation and use of prophylactic (immunobiological, diagnostic, disinfectant) drugs " Of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated March 27, 2018 No. 126 On approval of the Sanitary Rules "Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for the Organization and Conduct of Sanitary and Antiepidemic, Sanitary and Preventive Measures to Prevent Infectious Diseases", Order of Acting Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 13, 2018 No. 361 On approval of the Sanitary Rules "Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for Prophylactic Vaccinations to the Population", as well as other relevant regulatory, legal sanitary and epidemiological requirements of the Chief Sanitary Doctor of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will provide a professional expertise in the area of vaccination safety based on the international experience.

Purpose of the Assignment International consultant/expert will conduct series of online trainings (webinars) (ZOOM platform) for healthcare workers and teachers of medical universities and colleges on routine immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine safety and false contraindications, including vaccination of a child with various health conditions, practical advice on vaccination. The international consultant/expert will be represented by a specialist with advanced knowledge of vaccine safety. The training webinar will be moderated by an epidemiologist from the National Science Center for Public Health and the UNICEF Programme Coordinator. Participants of the trainings will be interested leaders, employees, medical organizations, teachers of medical universities and colleges within the platform capacity (from 40 to 500 people). International consultant/expert will be mobilized under COVID-19 quarantine with travel restrictions.

The main activities of the international consultant/expert are: - preparation and coordination of agenda of the training; - assistance in training organizing; - preparation of training materials and slides for online sessions; - participation in the discussion of the training’s content and workshop conduction with representatives of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan and UNICEF; - conducting webinars online and/or moderate; - to provide answers to the questions from participants and preparation of written answers for posting in the public domain; - collection the data on audience reactions. Modification of materials, considering feedback received from participants; - development and improvement of methodological recommendations (algorithms), according to the latest changes in clinical protocols, international recommendations, considering evidence-based medicine; - facilitate the review of critical cases to strengthen the audit of critical cases; - preparation of the final report on the training results.

Basic training content includes (some updates of the training content is possible in accordance with feedback, requests from participants and / or new evidence of facts about vaccination): - immunization in the context of COVID-19, - principles for immunization programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, - brief basics of immunization, - targeted vaccines, - self-training, - safety of immunization, - vaccination of a child with health problems, - contraindications to vaccination, - stress reactions during vaccination, - vaccination of children in special conditions, - facts and myths about vaccination, - known and unexpected effects of vaccination, - practical advice on working with vaccines, - testing, - feedback from participants.

The consultant is expected to perform tasks and provide deliverables as shown below.

1. Tasks/Milestone: 1) To develop a list of regulatory documents on immunization for adapting the training module; 2) To adapt the training programme; 3) To develop the timing of the program Deliverables/Outputs: Reviewing of regulations related to immunization in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine safety and contraindications Date: in 10 working days

2. Tasks/Milestone: 1) To conduct 5 webinars for 5 days for health workers and teachers of the medical universities, colleges; 2) To develop practical recommendations on webinars results, questions/answers session, testing during the webinars; 3) To prepare a report on webinars results; 4) To conduct one online meeting with national working group on immunoprophylaxis based on the webinars results. Deliverables/Outputs: Conduction of the series of trainings for health workers, teachers Date: in 25 working days after previous tasks, completed in 10 working days.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… • Education in the healthcare, medical education (Bachelors or Masters or PhD) • Minimum 5 years of experience in the healthcare area, including teaching skills; • Good knowledge of the healthcare area (integrated management of childhood diseases, vaccination, information on immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of health workers in immunization); • Very good communication skills; • Fluency in Russian (writing and speaking); • Ability to work in international and multicultural environment; • Good command of computer programmes and applications, availability and ability to use online platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. • Competencies: - Communication; - Working with people; - Drive for results; - Technical competencies: 1) Data analyzing and reports preparation in the area of immunization; 2) Health system/immunization programme; 3) Development of trainings agenda (preferably in the area of immunization); 4) Designing and facilitating trainings/webinars; 5) Working in international projects.

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 competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Remarks: • Completion of the UN/UNICEF mandatory trainings is obligatory upon commencement of the consultancy. • 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 deliverables will be reviewed by UNICEF and relevant partners. • All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. • UNICEF reserves the right to use interim project products (all type ones) in other project sites. • The 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. • Deadlines may shift and the exact schedule of activities, being agreed with the consultant. • 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. • UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, does not meet the quality standards of both UNICEF and Government of Kazakhstan, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days - 10%; 1 month-20%; 2 months-50%; more 2 months – payment withhold). • Payment, upon completion of all deliverables at the end of assignment.

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Potential interview questions

Added 6 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org