Supply & Logistics Officer (Cold Chain System), NO-2, Mbabane, Eswatini # 00122427 (Temporal Appointment, 9 months) SWAZI NATIONALS ONLY

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

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, Health

How can you make a difference?

COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that becomes the greatest challenge to countries in a short period of time. The pandemic was more than a health crisis that created an unprecedent socio-economic crisis stressing every country it touched. Introducing the COVID-19 vaccine to the population was the game changer intervention to curb the surge of COVID-19 infections. However, it overwhelmed the health care system in particular the MOH EPI unit with risk of having a negative impact on the national immunization coverage. Eswatini has identified its challenges in forecasting, quantification and costing of procurement need, Cold Chain system and waste management issues.

Purpose for the job

Under the supervision of the Immunization Specialist and in close collaboration with the Health Specialist and Chief of Child Survival an Development , the purpose of the position is to provide technical support to Ministry Of Health EPI department to improve Immunization supply chain (iSC) management through Effective Vaccine Management (EVM), Cold Chain Equipment management (CCEOP, Covax), Temperature monitoring, Vaccine stock management, functioning National Logistics Working Groups and general support to an integration of health related supply chains and systems as well as oversight of the solarization of CCE and PSA plants projects.

Summary of results-based key functions/accountabilities:

The incumbent is expected to carry out the following tasks:

EVM assessment

• Support MOH EPI in undertake Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessments to develop the EVM based Improvement Plan (cIP) and ensure the link to Immunization financing through comprehensive Multi Year Plan (cMYPs) and Health System Strengthening (HSS), • Support the national EPI team and partners to implement cIP towards better performance across the supply chain standards, • Monitor implementation and report progress against programmatic indicators.

Cold Chain Equipment Management (CCEM)

• Support and/or coordinate the whole process of the CCE management including Covax • Support the national team to complete the CCE application form and budget to the highly acceptable level, • Follow up with countries on Cold Chain Equipment purchase and deployment through dashboard, • Provide technical advice and support to the Immunization team to strengthen routine immunization supply chain for Cold Chain Equipment used for the storage and transport of vaccines, • Support the CCE implementation in close collaboration with Programme Division and Supply Division and Regional Office. Temperature Monitoring and Control (TMC) • Assist the EPI to conduct temperature mapping for cold rooms at all levels using WHO tool (protocol, training, data analysis) and reporting, • Support the development and deployment of guidance, training materials and SOPs to ensure adoption and sustained use of the system by EPI / Logistics managers.

Supply Chain Strengthening and Collaboration

• Provide leadership, technical advice and guidance to MOH and Partners on strategic an operational planning, to integrate cold chain and logistics components into national plans and proposals and development / update of national strategies, tool and guidance on CCL policies and procedures integration, • Support MOH to implement iSC interventions to improve coverage and equity, • Assist MOH in New Vaccine application and/or HSS development, • Identify operational weaknesses in Cold Chain and Vaccine Management and opportunities for capacity development. • Build synergies between Immunization and Supply units to strengthen the supply chain capacity and work towards close collaboration through the integration of supply chain considerations in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation, • Provide supply input to donor dialogue, and support development of supply components of proposals to donors including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies and services, • Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices on supply chain management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient supply chains for children.

LMIS and Data for Management (D4M)

• Provide regular feedback on Vaccine stock and Cold chain management, • Support trainings on iSC data management for decision making, • Support MOH to develop and implement SOPs, guidance on effective stock management and relevant data flows for operational and reporting systems, • Support MOH to provide visibility on stock tracking and consumption to minimize overstocks and reduce stockouts at a subnational level.

Sustainability

• Work hand in hand with the WASH Specialist on health facility electrification and solarization projects and in collaboration with the health and immunization team, evaluate their impact on immunization and primary health care, with a focus on zero dose communities, • Support MOH to establish a waste management strategy and operational plan, including training, guidance implementation and planning in optimal waste management practices.

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

• A university degree is required in Business Administration, Management, Economics, social science, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Contract/Commercial Law, International Development, Health or related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly-related technical fields is required. Health supply chain and cold chain management experience an advantage.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(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) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.