Re-advertisement: International Consultancy: COVAX Product Consultant -UNICEF Supply Division/Vaccine Centre-11.5 months- Flexible Home-based

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, care...

Context and Purpose of the SSA Assignment:

COVAX is a unique, collaborative partnership between Gavi, CEPI, WHO, and UNICEF with the aim to equitably distribute COVID vaccines around the world. The COVAX operationalization SWAT team is the primary body for operational decision-making at the COVAX pillar level, supported by the Product Manager and the ‘SWAT team office’, which includes product-specific focal points from the COVAX Strategic Coordination Office (SCO) for each vaccine that COVAX supplies. The SWAT team is responsible for all operational decisions following agreed COVAX processes and requiring cross-workstream collaboration, and addresses resolution of all operational topics that affect single products and of majority of cross-product issues.

The COVAX Product Consultant will provide project management and analytical support to the Product Manager (PM) and support in overseeing the end-to-end process, raising strategic issues to the SWAT team, and coordinating solution options for a specific vaccine product within the COVAX portfolio. Additionally, as a product focal point for pillar level stakeholders, the COVAX Product Consultant will respond to queries and status requests, draft recommendations / materials for COVAX governance approval, and provide input on country response and external communications related to their specific product.

How can you make a difference?

Key Tasks:

• The COVAX Product Consultant will provide project management across key steps of the value chain including allocation / reallocation planning, country readiness and preparedness oversight, technical input / response to country communications, as well as analytical support in delivery forecasting and monitoring.

Activities and deliverables:

• Vaccine Product launch preparation:

  • Develop and update an End to End product timeline, including flagging activities and milestones that are at risk or off track
  • Coordinating meetings with SWAT members as needed for retrospective planning

• Country communication on allocation:

  • Coordination of input for country communications team for letters that inform countries of their allocation of the product
• Preparedness of country participants:
  • Monitor preparedness requirements in “Covid-19 Procurement Portal” (CPP) and flag delays to PM
  • Support development of status reports for meetings with different audiences
• Status of product shipment to country (primarily led by UNICEF Product Manager):
  • Development of status reports to SWAT team or other COVAX stakeholders for purchase order placement, shipment timelines, volumes, etc.
• Delivery monitoring:
  • Support analytics via the CPP to review delivery and develop option/ scenarios if needed for movement of doses
• Account management of suppliers:
  • Participate in manufacturer interactions and support immediate follow up of action items resulting from meetings

NB: Payment on a monthly basis, based on number of days worked, on certification of the Hiring Manager.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree in public health, Data or Information Management or related field is required*. A first University degree may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree with two additional years of relevant work experience.*

Professional Experience:

• Minimum two years of relevant professional work experience in the following areas: project management and data analytics (required), public health and pharmaceutical/vaccines industry (desired) (15)
• Strong analytical skills including development of forecast models and management of large datasets (10)
• Sound stakeholder engagement experience and ability to engage with stakeholders comfortably and professionally at all levels (10)
• Experience in setting plans and executing upon them (10)
• Experience in developing and evaluating quantitative models, and developing meaningful insights and recommendations based on the data (10)
• Advanced powerpoint skills and ability to draft impactful materials for senior stakeholders with quick turnaround (15)

Other Skills and Qualifications:

• Ability to work in fast-paced, high-pressure environment with senior stakeholders across multiple organizations,
• Calm, professional, proactive demeanor and excellent problem solver.
• Knowledge of the environment in which UNICEF and the UN system operate;
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote at a daily rate in US Dollars including all taxes.
3. P11 form if not applying through UNICEF Employment site
4. At least 3 Reference contacts of current and previous supervisors
5. Copy of a highest academic degree

Applications that meet minimum requirements will be assessed by the following breakdown:

70% Technical Qualifications as outlined in TOR

30% Financial Proposal

(Day rate, weighted against others, maximum 30 points)

Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies:

1. Builds and maintains partnerships
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
3. Drive to achieve results for impact
4. Innovates and embraces change
5. Thinks and acts strategically
6. Manages ambiguity and complexity
7. Works collaboratively with others

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.