A NOC grade consultant: Central level and Center and South regions – residence in Yaoundé
Three NOB grade consultants distributed in the 8 other regions.

Supervisor:

The consultant will work directly under the supervision of the WHO Representative and the WHO IVD Focal Point, liaising with the JWG and the RWG-EPI (as assigned) and the chairs of the committees and sub-committees of the follow-up campaign. The consultant will also work in close collaboration with WHO regional teams, other TFPs and stakeholders.

context

The Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon through the Central Technical Group of the Expanded Vaccination Program (GTC-PEV) is preparing the follow-up campaign against measles rubella in 2023. It will be carried out with the RR vaccine for targets from 9 months to 15 years old. Moreover, it is an opportunity to reinforce the second dose of RR vaccine for routine vaccination in areas with low coverage.

Object of the mission

Consultancy services are needed to ensure effective planning, implementation and monitoring of SIAs and RR2 strengthening. The country received financial support from GAVI to implement these activities, which were delayed due to the COVID19 pandemic. Full-time recruitment of consultants at the national and regional level is necessary to support the GTC-EPI and the 10 regions to ensure effective mobilization of the masses, in particular vulnerable groups (difficult-to-access populations, areas with zero- doses or under-vaccinated…) and that SIAs are implemented with optimal quality.

The consultants will help coordinate, technically guide and oversee the process of planning, implementing and monitoring the campaign and RR2 strengthening activities, including the preparation of the post-campaign evaluation survey.

Specific tasks

In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, under the general direction and supervision of the WHO Country Representative and the WHO IVD Focal Point, including the Permanent Secretary of the GTC-EPI, WHO consultants for the measles and rubella monitoring campaign will provide technical assistance for the implementation of the following elements:

Coordination:
1. Participate and provide technical inputs to regular meetings of the National Coordinating Committee
2. Ensure that all sub-committees meet their set objectives/timeframes and react immediately to bottlenecks in close collaboration with the EPI GTC or Regional Technical Group (GTR)
3. Ensure the active involvement and participation of civil society organisations, as well as cultural and religious bodies present in the country/region
4. Coordinate the training of supervisors and health workers at national and subnational levels
5. Prepare weekly updates on the status of catch-up campaign preparations
6. Organize and coordinate supervisors at the central level to support regions to develop and submit timely regional micro-plans and ensure they feed into the national measles plan
Monitoring and control:
1. Ensure that preparation and implementation monitoring is carried out as planned at national and regional level (using the pre-SIA assessment checklist for regions/health facility);
2. Support finalization of tools (score sheets, summary sheet…) for different interventions, strengthening of RR2, intra and post SIA monitoring methodology, agreed SIA tools and timeline
3. Plan and ensure intra-SIA monitoring and rapid post-SIA convenience survey are conducted
4. Ensure that preparations include provisions for vaccination services to be undertaken in accordance with WHO IPC guidelines to minimize transmission of COVID-19.
Reports
1. Ensure that all regions submit campaign immunization data within 10 days of the end of the fiscal year
2. Compile a national report to submit to WHO and partners within 10 days of the end of the exercise
1. Follow up with the GTC-EPI and ensure that all responsibilities for implemented activities are compiled and submitted for audit.

Results

Weekly summary reports of activities carried out, progress on the tasks assigned above and recommendations on corrective actions
Technical reports for all activities for which funds have been disbursed to regions, including progress for accountability purposes
Detailed final report of the consultation

Profile and skills required

Hold a master's degree in public health / epidemiology or other relevant diploma in the fields concerned and from a recognized university
Minimum two years of relevant professional experience in the field of immunization
Ability to work closely with government, partners and officials at all levels
Good knowledge of the national context of interventions in the health sector, in particular those related to vaccination programs, would be an asset
Good communication skills and excellent use of computers and information technology
Expert knowledge of French and/or English

Tasks

Organize and document measles-rubella catch-up campaign processes and National Coordinating Committee meetings according to agreed schedule – as assigned
Coordinate and ensure the continued functioning of sub-committees for the follow-up campaign – logistics, social mobilization, resource mobilization, surveillance and disease management – as assigned
Prepare weekly updates on the status of campaign preparations
Organize and coordinate supervisors at central level to support central level and regions during implementation
Review campaign operational guidelines at national, regional and operational levels
develop and/or revise monitoring tools for SIAs and for strengthening RR2 coverage
Organize and coordinate central-level supervisors to support regions to develop and submit regional micro-plans in a timely manner and ensure they fit into the national measles and rubella plan
Coordinate training at national, regional and operational level
Follow up with central supervisors to ensure that all regions submit campaign immunization data and survey results within 10 days of the end of the fiscal year
Prepare all relevant documentation for the post evaluation campaign
Ensure in-process and end-of-process monitoring tools are used (support training and implementation using WHO guidelines)
Compile a national report to be submitted to partners within 2 weeks of the end of the exercise
Follow up with the PPE program and ensure that all responsibilities for implemented activities are compiled and submitted for audit.
Final consultation report completed

Final product/deliverables

Minutes of the meetings of the National Coordination Committee for the months of March to June 2023
Reports from sub-committee meetings showing responses to bottlenecks
Weekly updates on campaign progress
Supervision Checklist and Reporting Format for Central Supervisor (WHO) Measles and Rubella Monitoring Campaign Planning Guidelines
Planning meeting reports for central supervisors
Synthesis of regional micro-plans clearly defining regional budgets for the campaign and produced in time for budget consideration
Report on training at national, regional and operational levels
Regional vaccination campaign data and reports
Responsibility of the GTC-PEV available
National report available within 2 weeks of end of fiscal year.