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.
Background :
Vaccination has been identified as an additional tool towards ending the acute phase of the COVID 19 pandemic by 2021. To enable access the covid-19 vaccine, the COVAX facility has been established to pool demand and resources to ensure that low income and lower-middle income economies including Kenya, as well as other IDA-eligible economies, have access to COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as wealthier economies. Kenya has applied to the Covax facility and is in the process of placing vaccine request to Gavi under the Covax AMC Instrument.
To ensure the National Immunization program is prepared for the vaccine introduction, several activities should be completed as outlined in the Vaccine and Immunization readiness assessment tool (VRAT). To achieve this, there is need to engage a consultant to support the country preparedness for the COVID 19 vaccine introduction Kenya.
Justification :
Kenya is experiencing upsurge of Covid-19 cases with rising deaths. It is anticipated that vaccine is an additional tool to end the acute phase of the pandemic by the end of 2021. Currently several candidate vaccine manufacturers have sought emergency use authorization from regulatory authorities and countries are preparing to deploy suitable candidate vaccines to address the pandemic. As part of the country preparedness towards the introduction of the COVID 19 vaccine in the coming few months, Kenya needs to urgently identify and address gaps in the immunization program within a very short time. Several of the preparatory activities have been outlined in the Vaccines and Immunization Readiness Assessment Tool (VIRAT). In addition Kenya is required to place vaccine request with Gavi, apply cold chain equipment support to address identified gaps, develop National Vaccine deployment and introduction plan that will be used to mobilize financial support from domestic sources and donors including World Bank for the deployment of the Covid-19 vaccine, adopt training materials and develop training plan, create demand for the vaccine.
The Kenya EPI program that is leading the Covid-19 introduction is currently stretched and there is urgent need for UNICEF to provide technical support to the program to meet the critical deadlines. The consultant will work towards ensuring UNICEF provides a coordinated support to the Ministry of Health and Partners as the country prepares for the vaccine introduction. The consultant will provide specific technical support across the following areas identified in VIRAT: Planning and Coordination; Service delivery; Prioritization and Training and supervision.
How can you make a difference?
The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support to the MOH-NVIP and Partners to undertake the following :
- Technical assistance towards the development and implementation of the COVID19 National vaccine and deployment plan ;
- Technical assistance towards the development and rollout of COVID 19 vaccine training materials and supervision guidelines ;
- Technical assistance towards the identification of potential vaccine delivery strategies and deployment of the vaccine to target population.
Specific Tasks :
The consultant will be responsible for ensuring the accomplishment of the following specific tasks related to the country preparedness for COVID 19 vaccine introduction through working with the National immunization program to :
- Support the EPI manager to coordinate and monitor progress of the various sub-committees ;
- Develop or Review the National Deployment and Vaccine Plan (NDVP) in consultation with other relevant bodies (National COVID-19 Response Coordinating Committee, NITAG, National Immunization Program, National Regulatory Authority, AEFI committee and other relevant groups such as private sector) ;
- Convene and support the work of National Steering Committee and the various national working group sub committees (service delivery , cold chain & logistics, demand generation & communication, prioritization, targeting and COVID-19 surveillance, Monitoring and Evaluation ,Safety, including injury prevention and AEFI detection and response) and preparation of briefing schedule for NITAG, key ministries and other stakeholders about COVID 19 introduction and their expected roles ;
- Identify potential COVID-19 vaccine delivery strategies leveraging both existing vaccination platforms and non-vaccination delivery approaches to best reach identified target groups ;
- Develop training plan for COVID-19 vaccine introduction that includes identification of key groups of participants, content topic areas, key training partners and training methods (in-person or virtual) ;
- Adopt WHO training materials and facilitate trainings on Covid-19 vaccine ;
- Provide regular updates and reports on country preparedness for the introduction of Covid-19 vaccine ;
- Support the delivery of other covid-19 vaccine related tasks that may be assigned by EPI manager and UNICEF ;
- Conduct desk review of relevant documents in COVAX Vaccine and Immunization Readiness assessment tool (VIRAT) to understand the local context and all the preparations needed towards the COVID 19 vaccine introduction and use the findings to develop relevant protocols, materials, plans and tools relevant to preparedness and deployment of Covid-19 vaccine ;
- Working closely with the MoH national EPI manager to provide technical inputs to the deliverables assigned to the different subcommittees and other stakeholders to ensure effective preparations and deployment of Covid-19 vaccine ;
- Working closely with National EPI manager to plan and coordinate stakeholder meetings between MoH and partners ;
- Desk Review and adoption of WHO guidelines and Training materials to inform the Development of training materials, training plan and supervision guidelines.
Note that there is still substantial uncertainty regarding the vaccine product/s that will be made available to Kenya and within which timeline and quantities of the deployment. The current Terms of Reference is therefore structured with general tasks and the timeline for implementation will be determined according to the needs arising. The remuneration of the consultant will be accordingly on a monthly basis.
Methodology : The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the MoH national EPI Manager with oversight and support provided by the UNICEF Kenya Health Specialist (Immunization and Child Health).
Expected Deliverables :
The consultant will work at the MoH national EPI program to undertake the tasks and deliverables outlined above. Note: Due to the nature of this support and an evolving program environment, deliverables will be based on a work plan developed and approved by the National EPI manager with oversight and support by the UNICEF Kenya Health Specialist (Immunization and Child Health), upon appointment.
Payment to the consultant will be on a monthly basis upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables, duly authorized by the EPI manager who is the supervisor of the contract. UNICEF holds a right to seek feedback from the MoH and other partners on quality of work of the post holder.
Reporting : The consultant will work under the supervision of the National EPI manager with oversight and support provided by the UNICEF Kenya Health Specialist (Immunization and Child Health).
General Conditions : Procedures and Logistics :
- Consultancy will be for a maximum period of 6 months ;
- The MoH will provide documents as needed for the assignment by the consultant ;
- The MoH will provide working place for the consultant ;
- The consultant will report progress on a monthly basis for all deliverables/tasks ;
- Consultant will provide own laptop/workstation ;
Interested consultants should send their detailed CVs and a cover letter not exceeding 2 pages, which should include :
- The consultant’s interest in the task ;
- A summary of the consultant’s relevant experience ;
- Any supporting evidence/documentation of successful completion of similar consultancies/tasks ;
- Monthly consultancy fee for conducting the assignment ;
- Availability for assignment ;
- Payment will be made upon receipt of the following (1) a monthly report, documenting the successful completion of the tasks and deliverables to the satisfaction of UNICEF and MoH and (2) Receipt of Invoice.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Community Health, Planning/Administration ;
*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree ;
- At least 8 years’ experience in Immunization. Experience in new vaccine introduction will be considered an added value ;
- Demonstrable experience working with government, development partners and other stakeholders in health ;
- Critical appraisal of public health programs and programming literature at postgraduate level, evident by at least one relevant project ;
- A good understanding of Kenyan health and immunization system ;
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset ;
- 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.
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 :
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.