To support for cold chain management for covid19 vaccine and capacity development

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy 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, [insert tagline]

Bhutan has sustained high immunization coverage for the last several years contributing to reduction of infant and under-five mortality rates. The cold chain system is the backbone of immunization programme as vaccines must be transported and stored in the recommended temperature till they reach the beneficiaries. This raises demands to keep the cold chain equipment always functional, trained human resources and procedures to ensure stock availability for all planned immunization sessions. Bhutan’s comprehensive Multi-Year Plan for Immunization 2019-2023 outlines the following six objectives- increase immunization coverage, improve programme quality, improve VPD surveillance, maintain demand for immunization, increase financial sustainability for immunization and improve immunization data quality and management. The government has planned to administer Seasonal Influenza vaccine to whole population in end of 2020 and to continue as routine immunization for certain population which requires more cold chain space. In addition, with current covid19 situation it requires to improve the cold chain capacity for vaccine in the routine cold chain systems.

Bhutan conducted Effective Vaccine Management Assessment in 2012 and 2015. The assessments showed that vaccine arrival, storage capacity, buildings, equipment, transport, and vaccine management were found to be satisfactory. However, some challenges with maintenance of buildings, cold chain equipment and vehicles and information management system were also noted. Bhutan also does not have online stock management system yet, which is important real time monitoring of immunization supplies, particularly vaccines. Issue with vaccine stock management and cold chain management, timely replenishment of vaccines and injection devices, safe waste disposal of expired vaccines and injection devices, good warehousing practice, are of particular note. Although, Bhutan has cold chain replacement plan for some time, due to funding constraints, many health facilities had been using domestic refrigerators for vaccine storage. However, with support from ADB and UNICEF, most of the health facilities now have WHO prequalified refrigerators to store vaccines. MoH has received 8 WICs for hospitals including one for EPI Regional Store, one WIF for RCDC and ULTF for National Store, and RCDC. Under Japan grant, lot of cold chain equipment has been ordered which will require installation, and rigorous monitoring.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of assignment is to support various activities of cold chain and effective vaccine management system in Bhutan.

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

• Diploma in Primary Health Care Management System and vocational qualification (Refrigeration or Electrician)
• A minimum of 20 years of relevant professional experience in working experience in the field of vaccine and cold chain management
• 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 values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

[insert competencies]

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:

The consultant needs to submit the following documents:

1. Latest CV

2. Covering/ motivation letter

3. Monthly lumpsum fee ( travel cost will be based on actual travel as per UNICEF Rules and Regulations).

4. Copy of your last academic transcript.

5. Any reference documents if you have with similar experience.

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.