UNICEF recrute six (06) consultants, pour la gestion provinciale de la chaîne du froid, Afrique du Sud

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Background and Justification  :

South Africa confirmed its first cluster of COVID-19 cases on 5 March 2020, imported from Europe by returning residents. South Africa has the highest COVID-19 burden in Africa and ranks 15^th globally, accounting for an estimated 1.4 per cent cases and 1.9 per cent of deaths reported. As of 5 February 2021, a total of 1,466,767 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported in South Africa, with an overall case fatality ratio of 3.1%.

In December 2020, South Africa identified a new SARS-CoV-2 variant 501Y.V2 which has since been reported in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Comoros, Zambia and in 24 non-African nations. This is thought to have fuelled South Africa’s ongoing second wave, of COVID-19 whose trend has been much steeper and higher than the first.

To curb ongoing transmission, prevent additional morbidity and mortality and achieve herd immunity, the Government of South Africa is committed to urgently introducing COVID-19 vaccination. According to the South African national plan, the achievement of herd immunity depends on 67% of the population developing immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection or reducing their infectiousness. The success of the vaccination programme for Covid-19 will therefore contribute to achieving herd immunity.

The Government of South Africa has outlined a national COVID-19 vaccine roll out. This involves three phases: Phase 1 would focus on front-line health workers with a target population of 1.25 million; Phase 2 would include essential workers with a target population of 2.5 million, people older than 60 (5 million) and people older than 18 with co-morbidities (8 million); and Phase 3 would target other people older than 18 with a target population of 22.5 million.

UNICEF South Africa Country Office is seeking to engage 6 provincial cold chain managers to support the optimal management of vaccines and contribute to effective planning and implementation of COVID-19 vaccine introduction in the selected provinces. 

Scope of Work :

1)    Goal and Objective:  Under the direction and guidance of the UNICEF South Africa Chief of Health and Nutrition, the provincial cold chain management consultants, will support the provincial department of Health to support the optimal management of vaccines in the selected provinces with the goal of contributing to the reduction of morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19.

2)    Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered : Output 1.1.7 – Support National Preparedness Planning and provide technical support to NDOH on continuation of priority MNCH, HIV and nutrition interventions in the context of COVID-19.

3)    Activities and Tasks :  

Optimal vaccine and cold chain management (30%) :

• Maintain and ensure a constant cost-effective supply and storage of heat sensitive products ;
• Ensure that relevant updated cold chain information is available to all staff involved in the cold chain ;
• Ensure adequate formal and in-service training of all staff involved in cold chain and vaccine management ;
• Ensure the efficient usage of vaccines by limiting wastage and monitoring of activities ;
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation visits to facilities ;
• In the event of a cold chain failure at any level assist the pharmacist with making a decision on action to be taken and/or liaise with the national cold chain manager ;
• Ensure adherence to policies regarding safe disposal and destruction of used sharps, syringes and expired/wasted stock ;
• Risk management by identifying cold chain challenges through rapid assessment to determine adequacy (including transport and waste management capacities) at all levels, identify gaps and advise the medical depot and facilities on how to solve the problems ;
• Identify training needs of health workers including reverse cold chain, and conduct training to address them.

2.     Gap analysis regarding cold chain equipment. (10%) :

Facilitate and monitor audits of cold chain equipment and records at facility levels, ensuring that any new cold chain equipment purchased for the COVID-19 introduction is also included in the programme equipment inventory and maintenance plan.

3.     Assist the provincial program managers with the implementation of the policies and during campaigns. (30%)

• In conjunction with the EPI manager and provincial medical store, support micro planning, ensuring that the logistics needs for a cost-effective distribution of vaccine are well articulated (including but not limited to timelines, roles and responsibilities, monitoring and implementation) ;
• Assist with financial and quantity estimates of vaccines and related medical items necessary for immunization as needed ;
• Develop procurement and distribution plans as applicable and follow up procurement process ;
• Waste Management Maintenance of incineration facilities for SIAs ;
• Adapt/update checklist for ensuring cold chain and waste management readiness prior to the campaign ;
• Document lessons learned with regard to cold chain during campaigns and share with provincial program managers and stakeholders to inform future immunization work.

4.     Stock management (10%) :

Conduct stock management formal and in-service training.

5.     Provincial supportive supervision and training (10%) :

• Assist province with writing of SOPs and training of staff members regarding cold chain ;
• Evaluate the quality of the training with the designated health workers on correct use and preventive maintenance of the new cold chain equipment ;
• Evaluate the content and quality of the training to technicians on preventive maintenance, installation, trouble shooting and repair of the new cold chain equipment ;
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation and supportive supervisory inspections including during campaigns to identify and correct inappropriate cold chain practices and safety and waste management ;
• During campaigns oversee daily data aggregation reporting and analysis ;
• Assist with stock management, reinforcing the importance of adequate stock levels, forecast of vaccine requirements and reduction of wastage ;
• Advise on vaccine allocation during stock shortages ;
• Make sure that vaccines collected after the campaign are accounted for and stored appropriately.

6.     Risk Management (10%) :

• Identify and map cold chain risks, prepare management strategy in collaboration with national team and advise the medical depot and facilities on how to solve the problems ;
• Plan, evaluate and participate in random quality survey during and at the end of the campaign.

4)    Work relationships :  Working closely with National and Provincial Departments of Health and the following stakeholders in the province: Pharmaceutical Manager, Pharmacists and the Medical Depot.

5)    Outputs/Deliverables :   

 6. Required Travel : 

  The consultant will frequently travel within the province.

 Payment Schedule :

Payment will be made monthly upon submission of a monthly report providing a progress update on all the listed deliverables. A final report for the entire consultancy period should be submitted at the end of the consultancy.

Payment is made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables. Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by HR. 

Desired competencies, technical background and experience :

1. Education :  Essential: B.Pharm degree, One year internship and one year community service completed. Registration with SAPC as a pharmacist. Additional experience especially in a similar function at the provincial level an added advantage.
2. Knowledge of and work experience in : Cold chain management principles, Knowledge about policies[1] and the format for compiling of Standard operational procedures, policies, circulars and protocols.
3. Length of relevant work experience required for this consultancy: NOC: Minimum 5 years
4. Competencies :

• Ability to communicate effectively to varied audiences ;
• Strong sense of team spirit, diplomacy ;
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships across government, UN agencies and NGOs ;
• Innovative and resourceful mindset to make solutions work in adverse conditions ;
• Ability to work under tight schedule, respond to multiple demands including within a changing environment. Innovative and resourceful mindset to make solutions work in adverse and stressful conditions ;
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrable experience in qualitative and quantitative epidemiological information analysis, program monitoring and reporting.

5. Languages needed: Fluency in English (verbal and written) and another South African language. 

Administrative issues

The consultants will be based in one of the listed provinces and will frequently travel within the province.  Provinces will be identified in consultation with National Department of Health. 

Conditions 

• Consultants will be based in one of the three provinces identified (Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Kwa Zulu Natal, North West, Western Cape and Northern Cape) and will travel within the province to visit healthcare facilities/for meetings ;
• The contractor will work on its own computer(s) and use its own office resources and materials in the execution of this assignment. The contractor’s fee shall be inclusive of all office administrative costs ;
• Local travel (outside of location where consultant will be based) and airport transfers (where applicable) will be covered in accordance with UNICEF’s rules and tariffs. All travel is by most economical fare and reimbursement as per UNICEF policy ;
• Flight costs will be covered at economy class rate as per UNICEF policies ;
• Any air tickets for travel, will be authorized by and paid for by UNICEF directly ;
• The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts ;
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.

Risks  :

Delays in accessing information from National and Provincial Health Departments and other implementing partners and stakeholders may be a challenge. UNICEF will continue to work with NDOH and relevant stakeholders to facilitate timely access to data and information for analysis and programme performance reporting. 

How to Apply :

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their application to the following link : https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=538167 by 23 February 2021.

This notice will also appear on http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/, http://www.unicef.org/southafrica, UN Job List, UN Jobs.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in ZAR) to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable).

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.

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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 :

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.