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| Title |
Cold Chain and Vaccine Management Specialist (Covid-19 Vaccine Introduction preparation) |
| Type of Contract |
International Individual Consultant |
| Supervision |
Health Section – Cold Chain and Logistics Specialist under overall supervision of Immunization Manager |
| Level |
International- Medium level |
| Location |
Juba, South Sudan with frequent travel to the field |
| Duration |
6 months |
| Start Date |
As soon as possible (by 1st February 2021 preferably) |
Purpose :
The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical and operational support in planning, preparing and implementation of vaccine and cold chain management to ensure timely and smoothly implementation of COVID-19 deployment in South Sudan as per the agreed timeframe defined by the MOH and partners. The consultant will be also required to visit the field locations as appropriate.
Scope of Work, Activities and Deliverables :
In collaboration with MOH/WHO/UNICEF/other extended partner teams for planning and deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine, the consultant will assess the supply chain gaps at all level in light of COVID-19 vaccine characteristics, prepare and implement the expansion/rehabilitation of the cold chain capacity, support capacity building activity of the vaccine handlers (SOP and trainings), as well as manage vaccine and dry stock receipt, storage, distribution, return and COVID-19 vaccine logistics information (tools, SOP and data management) .
| Tasks |
Deliverables (SMART)
|
Duration
(Est. # of Days) |
Deadline |
| · Strengthen the structures for coordination and Vaccine Management (CTWG/ NLWG) with TOR and SOP at all levels of the health services (including the mapping of key roles and responsibilities needed for vaccine and ancillary products deployment and the lists of confirmed contact information for key personnel and facilities)
· Update the cold chain inventory and conduct cold chain capacity and gap analysis in the context of COVAX introduction in the country as well as recommendation for expansion of capacity/rehabilitation of existing capacity |
· The TOR and SOP of CTWG/NLWG for coordination and Vaccine Management is developed and implemented/strengthened at all levels of immunization supply chain
· Cold Chain Capacity and Gap analysis report for COVID-19 vaccine introduction including the procurement plan for cold chain equipment expansion/rehabilitation (CCE including passive containers) |
22 days |
February 2021 |
| · Prepare the need and procurement plan for cold chain equipment for safe storage, distribution and wastage management of the COVAX vaccine
· Identify vaccine and supply needs by location based on the priority setting for the target population (including required vaccine and ancillary products, entry point, storage points, the distribution/reverse distribution strategy and the locations based on priority setting for target population, logistics plans of prepositioned vaccine, HR and transport arrangement, waste management and reversed logistic plan) |
· The costed National Covid-19 vaccine logistics plan
· Weekly/Monthly report of the National Logistics Working Group for COVID-19 vaccine introduction including progress report supply chain component of the readiness assessment tools |
22 days |
March 2021 |
| · Update all the stock management tools with addition of COVAX vaccine for vaccine visibility.
· Actively involved in Technical Working Groups and provide timely update of key activities related to supply chain component of the readiness assessment tools |
· Updated vaccine and stock management tools as well as operating procedures to reflect the characteristics of COVID-19 vaccines (i.e. vial size, VVM, and waste management).
· Weekly/Monthly report of the National Logistics Working Group for COVID-19 vaccine introduction |
22 days |
April 2021 |
| · Support capacity building activity of vaccine handlers and ensures proper vaccine management practices are observed at all levels of the supply chain system.
· Actively involved in Technical Working Groups and provide timely update of key activities related to supply chain component of the readiness assessment tools |
· The consolidated training report (covering national and sub-national) on COVID-19 vaccine and stock management in line with updated SOP
· Weekly/Monthly report of the National Logistics Working Group for COVID-19 vaccine introduction |
22 days |
May 2021 |
| · Supports vaccine stock management and ensures accountability of vaccines and supplies
· Actively involved in Technical Working Groups and provide timely update of key activities related to supply chain component of the readiness assessment tools |
· National and Field level monitoring report of vaccine distribution, utilization and reverse distribution report
· Weekly/Monthly report of the National Logistics Working Group for COVID-19 vaccine introduction |
22 days |
June 2021 |
| · To prepare, implement and assess the readiness of the NLWG to manage the logistic and supply chain operations related to COVAX vaccine |
· Final report on the Readiness and implementation of Covid-19 vaccine logistics plan and for COVID-19 vaccine introduction including progress report on supply chain component of the readiness assessment tools and lessons learnt |
22 days |
July 2021 |
Qualifications and Competencies :
The International Cold Chain and Vaccine Management Consultant (Covid-19 Vaccine Introduction preparation) must have the following qualifications
Education : A master/advanced university degree is required in Public Health, Epidemiology, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Procurement or other relevant disciplines.
Working experience :
- A minimum of five years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health/immunization programmes, immunization/health supply, logistics and procurement ;
- Health logistics specialist with extensive knowledge and experiences of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, including aspects related to mass vaccination campaigns and to polio eradication initiative ;
- Work experience in outbreak context such as Ebola, H1N1 is considered as an asset ;
- Work experience managing large-scale projects, working with governments, working in resource-limited settings, monitoring and evaluating supply chains, and risk management, mitigation will be an asset.
Technical Knowledge :
- Product knowledge on cold chain equipment, new cold chain technologies ;
- Understanding of the principles of vaccine management ;
- Knowledge and experience with data collection, data management analysis and reporting are essential ;
- Knowledge of procurement processes and good distribution practice could be beneficial.
Other skills :
- Have skills in leadership, teamwork and adult education ;
- Proficiency in computer tools, and the logistics tools of the EPI, SMT, DVD-MT, CCE inventory tool ;
- To have knowledge of the health system in African countries ;
- Have a very good ability to write documents ;
- Have an organizational and managerial capacity ;
- Know how to maintain good relations with all partners ;
- Be a team player ;
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment ;
- Have the ability to communicate and train.
Estimated Duration of the Contract : 6 months – 1st February 2021 to 31st July 2021
Geographic Area: (Duty Station and Official Travel) : The consultant will be based in Juba with frequent travel to field as required.
Estimated Cost of the Consultancy :
- The travel cost to and from Juba will be reimbursed based on the most economical direct route in economy class ;
- The consultant is expected to make in country travel for average duration of 10 days per month and DSA will be paid based on the actual travel. The consultant will be eligible for R&R, currently based on six weeks cycle stay in South Sudan and the budget will be reserved in the contract.
Payment Schedule : Upon satisfactory submission of progress reports (the above deliverables), The consultant must prepare and submit a monthly activity report (outline of the report provided by UNICEF) which will determine the payment of his or her monthly benefit. A technical evaluation will be conducted at the end of the contract.
Estimated Cost of the consultancy : All applicants are required to submit a detail financial proposal and technical proposal;
UNICEF Supervisor : The consultant will be under the direct technical supervision of the Cold Chain Specialist and overall guidance of the Immunization Manager, UNICEF and work closely with the MOH/WHO and extended partners in the country. He/she will supervise the national consultant recruited for the vaccine and cold chain management for COVID-19 vaccine deployment.
Travel Clause :
- All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply ;
- All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF ;
- The eligible maximum amount for travel is specified in the contract ;
- The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized ;
- Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will pay the applicable DSA rate and other travel related expenses upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation.
Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract :
If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
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 functional competencies required for this post are…
View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
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 :
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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.
Deadline : 07 Feb 2021 E. Africa Standard Time.