UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for an Immunization Emergencies Specialist Consultant (Open to nationals of Zimbabwe Only)

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, Good Health

UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfillment of children’s rights.

Supporting the Government’s vision of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society, the 2022 to 2026 UNICEF Zimbabwe country programme is aimed at contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development that provides all children, including adolescents, with opportunities to fulfil their potential, lead a healthy life, access quality learning and protection and meaningfully participate in society.

For more information about UNICEF Zimbabwe please click here

You can also access and explore all new UNICEF vacancies and create job alerts via the UNICEF Zimbabwe website link below:

https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/work-us

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Zimbabwe is seeking to hire an energetic and enthusiastic Immunization Emergencies Specialist Consultant responsible for providing technical support to UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office (ZCO) and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) and other partners in the planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting of the EPI activities in Zimbabwe with specific focus on responding to immunization emergencies.

BACKGROUND

Following over two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, immunization coverage in Zimbabwe has been noted to have declined with a rising risk of resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases. In April 2022, the country reported an initial outbreak of measles in Manicaland Province, with subsequent spread to the rest of the country, resulting in a nation-wide outbreak that had resulted in the deaths of over 700 children by mid-September 2022. At the same time, less than 5 years after Africa had been declared free from Polio, new outbreaks of polio were declared in Malawi with a laboratory confirmed case of Wild Polio Virus (WPV-1) reported on 17 February 2022 followed by Mozambique with a laboratory confirmed cases of WPV-1 reported on 15 May 2022, posing a real risk of importation into Zimbabwe. Additionally, Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (cVDPV) were detected in Mozambique. Considering the inter-country cross migration in the southern region, GPEI has launched a multi-country response approach to interrupt the transmission of the virus and improve immunity among the children in the region. Zimbabwe will implement the first round of the Polio Supplementary Vaccination Activity (SIA) from 27-30 October and a second round from 01-04 December. The country has also conducted a first round of the Measles-Rubella (MR) SIA targeting children 6-59 months, while a second round targeting the 5–14-year-old age group is due to be implemented once additional vaccine supplies and operational funding are secured. In the meantime, the COVID-19 vaccination activity is still ongoing, with the country at 43.5% full vaccination coverage against a target of 70%.

UNICEF works to achieve results for children through both its development programmes and humanitarian action in times of crisis, with a view to foster resilient development. UNICEF being a major player in the GPEI responsible for global management of vaccines, UNICEF ZCO will be expected to support the MOHCC and ensure the global standard and a quality Polio SIA in all aspects are met. Further, the complexity of delivering a well-coordinated vaccination response almost concurrently for measles, polio, and on-going COVID-19 vaccination drive necessitates boosting country capacity for coordination, input/output monitoring, and management of strategic information for decision making in real-time to ensure programme results will be achieved, and UNICEF specific contributions are tracked.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Immunization Emergencies Specialist is primarily responsible for providing technical support to UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office (ZCO) and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) and other partners in the planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting of the EPI activities in Zimbabwe with specific focus on responding to immunization emergencies. Guided by the Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026: Delivering on a promise, UNICEF will support country capacity building for measles outbreak response, polio outbreak response, other polio special programs in polio outbreak countries, and AFP surveillance through collaboration with the MOHCC and other partners at national, regional, and district levels. Efforts will be also made to support the country for early detection and timely/quick response to disease outbreaks.

The Immunization Emergencies Officer will provide technical support to ensure the UNICEF Country Office and national partners use a well-prioritized and realistic plan of research, monitoring and evaluation activities that will provide the most relevant and strategic information to manage the Country Programme, including tracking and assessing UNICEF’s distinct contribution.

ASSIGNMENTS:

The consultant will implement the planned activities and the deliverables described below.

1. Coordination:

• Provide information to the country on risk assessment and defining outbreak response priorities
• Support country planning and strategy review for implementation of vaccination activities in response to polio, measles, COVID-19, and strengthening of routine immunization.
• Develop evidence informed short-term funding concepts to address specific needs including responding to regression in national immunization coverage including zero-dose communities and COVID-19 vaccination.

2. Strategic Information and Programme Monitoring

• Provide MoHCC with technical expertise in support of quality data management for the Polio SIA.
• Produce strategic information on all immunization priorities, including routine immunization, and SIAs to inform advocacy for action with MoHCC.
• Participate in the intra- and post-campaign monitoring activities to ensure quality of SIAs in all phases.
• Review results of quality surveys [intra campaign monitoring, convenience surveys and spot checks, independent monitoring: house-to-house and out-of-house (market surveys) monitoring, LQAS, PCIM] and propose corrective actions.
• Support country preparations for post SIA coverage surveys and reports to GPEI, MRI and Gavi
• Documentation of lessons learnt and best practices
• For nOPV2 introduction, ensure that country implements all aspect of vaccine requirement including implementation of Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI).
• Support year-end programme report writing and 2023 rolling workplan development, focusing on data analysis and visualization for the EPI programme and related broader Primary Health Care activity areas under the Health and Nutrition Section

3. Surveillance

• Establish concrete coordination mechanisms with WHO Country Office on support priorities to MoHCC on polio surveillance strengthening.
• Ensure Polio, AFP and AEFI Surveillance are enhanced for early detection of events and keep UNICEF abreast of progress and gaps.

Major tasks and deliverables:

Tasks/Milestone:****Deliverables/Outputs:****Indicative Timeline/Days (payments)Submit inception report and work plan of consultancy assignment after consultations with MoHCC, UNICEF, and key stakeholdersInception report covering the scope of work including input to Outbreak response, COVID-19, and routine immunization .

3 days (5%)Technical support for implementation and monitoring of Polio SIA.

a. Support country planning for the Polio SIA, with emphasis on pre-SIA readiness assessments and technical assistance to districts on finalization of micro-plans.

b. Technical assistance to MoHCC on data management for the Polio SIA to ensure effective campaign monitoring and reporting, including tools, processes, and guidance on accounting for empty polio vaccine vials as per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the recommendations of the Advisory Group.a. Supportive supervision reports covering SIA readiness assessment and supportive/corrective actions taken

b. Polio SIA report outline completed and shared with MoHCC and partners, and timeline developed for completion of report.6 days (20%)Strategic Information and programme monitoring support

1. Prepare tools, provide technical assistance, and lead implementation of a national immunization Data Quality Assessment (Routine EPI, COVID-19) to inform strengthening of data management for routine and COVID-19 immunization.
2. Develop protocols for measles and polio post-SIA coverage surveys including costed implementation plans for the surveys.
3. Lead coordination with WHO to support strengthening of national surveillance capacity for Polio

a. Concept note with necessary tools for immunization programme DQA covering routine immunization and COVID-19 finalized in collaboration with MoHCC EPI unit and partners.

b. Draft protocol for integrated measles, polio, and IPV/TCV post-SIA coverage survey submitted for MoHCC review and sign-off (in collaboration with national statistical Office and MoHCC EPI unit).

c. Activity report on coordination activities under-taken with WHO to reflect UNICEF input to strengthening comprehensive Polio surveillance.

10 Days (30%)Programme review and SIA report writing

1. Lead the drafting of the Polio SIA activity report.

2. Under-take analysis of the national routine immunization data to generate evidence for providing strategic insights to the MoHCC for targeted actions to swiftly reverse the regression in immunization coverage, including a national mapping of Zero-dose populations.

3. Support a tailored intra-action review of the COVID-19 vaccination programme to inform strategy revision and operational planning for reaching the final 25% coverage that is required to achieve the nation target of 70%.

a. Completed draft of the Polio-SIA report submitted for review by MoHCC and partners.

b. A comprehensive data analysis report on the immunization programme based on DHIS-2 and other relevant available information sources is presented to the Health and Nutrition Section for review and feedback prior to finalization.

c. A report on the COVID-19 vaccination programme review is produced with recommendations on priorities for taking the programme forward during the first 6 months of 2023.

12 Days (30%)Data for annual report and analytics for 2023 workplan.

1. Support the Health and Nutrition Section with data analysis and visualization for the 2022 annual reporting and 2023 rolling work plan writing.
2. Under-take documentation of lessons learnt and best practices for the national immunization programme.
3. Support development of funding concept notes to mobilize resources for Periodic Intensification of Immunization activities and responses to Zero-dose communities to reverse the post pandemic regression in immunization coverage, and to support operational costs for on-going intensification of COVID-19 vaccination

d. Data outputs for annual report writing on the EPI programme and other related PHC areas under the Health and Nutrition Section are finalized and submitted (including lessons learnt and best practices)

e. At least one funding concept note is finalized and submitted

2 days (15%)To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

Advanced University degree in Medicine, Social Sciences, Health, Public Health, Family Health, Child Development, Nursing, Bachelors’ Degree in Public Health and Health Promotion, Advanced Statistical Research. Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Public Health or a field relevant to international development assistance in Immunization and Child Survival and Health Care is an added advantage.

Experience:

• Five years of relevant professional work experience.
• Experience in working with Government and civil society organizations in relation to capacity strengthening in developing context.
• At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning. Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme preferred.
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organization.

Languages:

Written and spoken fluency in English required. Knowledge of at least Shona or Ndebele will be an added advantage.

The detailed consultancy terms of reference is downloadable via this link TOR Immunisation Emergencies Specialist.pdf

If interested and available to undertake the individual consultancy, please submit your application online and attach the required documents including the technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal incorporating an approximate number of travel days for field (local) travel.

Technical proposal: The Technical Proposal should articulate an understanding of the TOR and include the proposed Tasks/Milestones, Deliverables/Outputs, Timeline and level of effort by deliverable. The similar table provided in the TOR is indicative. Applicants may use the indicative table as a guide or deviate as per the proposed approach. The proposal should also cost-effectively propose the local travel proposed by the applicant to undertake the assignment.

Financial proposal: The Financial Proposal should include the costs (providing a daily rate as justification) for each task, including consultant fee, proposed travel costs and perdiem, communications costs and any other proposed cost.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.