Cold Chain Specialist (P4) Temporary Appointment, Dakar, Senegal#106426

Job Number: 512529 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: Senegal

Work Type : Temporary Appointment

Country support for Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP) related activities

BACKGROUND:

Towards achieving high immunization coverage while introducing new vaccines through equity-focused vaccination program, the need for effective immunization supply chain remains vital. Efficient supply chains equipped with reliable cold chain equipment are important in helping countries primarily to reaching children with potent lifesaving vaccines to protect them against vaccine preventable diseases and subsequently increase immunization coverage.

To support countries in improving their cold chains, the GAVI Vaccine Alliance has established the Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP). Through the Platform, GAVI has committed funding to jointly invest with countries to purchase and install cold chain equipment that meets specific technology requirements.

Through this CCEOP initiative, cold chain equipment suppliers will be responsible for inland storage, distribution, installation and commissioning of equipment. UNICEF SD will be the sole procurement agency for this activity which requires effective planning, implementation and monitoring of multiple activities across wide geographical areas within a short window of time.  While suppliers are responsible for all in-country operations, UNICEF strives to place the national government in the best position to oversee and manage the supplier’s performance, ensuring that all commissioned equipment meets procurement expectations, such as the agreed upon time, place, location, condition, quantity, and cost of all cold chain equipment.

Hence, UNICEF, under the auspices of the GAVI CCEOP, is seeking assistance in the form of a contract equivalent to 6 months of full-time work completed, to support readiness and to assist with planning, implementation and monitoring of CCEOP activities at country level. Countries where particular mobilization support will be required will be identified as the CCEOP is being implemented over the coming months.

OBJECTIVE:

The main purpose of this TA assignment  is  to support the 18 CCEOP countries in the region (national government and UNICEF) to ensure smooth operations of CCEOP activities using a project management approach such as stakeholder identification and communication, effective schedule planning, implementation and monitoring of activities, risk and issue management.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The selected candidate will assist UNICEF in the following manner:

Under the general guidance of the Regional Supply Chief, in collaboration with SD and supply sections at CO levels:

Provide technical assistance to CCEOP eligible countries in collaboration with SD in the preparation for and deployment of CCEOP equipment. This includes

Ensuring timely readiness of Operational Deployment Plan

Conducting country specific stakeholder mapping and articulating communication strategy,

Supporting the MOH and UNICEF in establishment of Project Management Team,

Following up data collection and crosschecking of the quality of data and

Mapping of country specific risk and agree on its management strategy in collaboration with country Project Management Teams.

Support the MOH to develop a country-specific project plan and risk matrix to track with the Project Management Team on a periodic basis.

Coordinate with the RO CSD Team and SD respective unit teams and the inter-agencies working group (e.g. NLWG) to ensure correct deployment of equipment and implementation of the CCEOP project in general.  This includes preparation of country specific detail planning involving the whole project lifecycle with timeline and agree with respective countries on scope, timing and resource requirement.

Work with the RO CSD Team and SD to establish a common understanding of the subcontractor offer and related project implementation requirements. This includes characteristics of the specific project roll out and related assumption linked to country readiness.

Oversee and evaluate the technical procedures followed by the supplier or subcontractor during installation and report on the process and quality of the installation of the cold chain equipment.

Provide quality technical assistance in deviation management and health facility readiness.

Evaluate the quality of the training for technicians on preventive maintenance, installation, trouble shooting and repair of the new CCE.

Evaluate the quality of the training with the designated health worker on correct use and preventive maintenance of the new CCE.

Plan and Evaluate and participate on random quality survey at the end of the installation as defined by the SD/HTC/CC unit team.

Monitor implementation of preventive maintenance plan as per country application.

Support MOH to update and maintain the government’s CCEI (cold chain equipment inventory) on an on-going basis and as referenced deliverable for the CCEOP process.

Document country good practices throughout the process including related to challenges, lessons learned and critical success factors.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

A work plan outlining specific activities to be conducted by country with objectives and timelines.

Monthly / bi-weekly update report outlining country specific time lines, status of implementation, anticipated challenges, risks, and proposed way forward.

Country specific end-to-end CCEOP detailed process map involving international shipment, custom clearance, inland transportation, installation and commissioning with roles, responsibilities, resources and timelines.

Country specific report on stakeholders involved in CCEOP implementation and their roles and responsibilities.

Operational Deployment Plan (ODP) specific report outlining the support provided to countries in developing and finalization of the ODP.

Supplier specific report outlining quality of local service provider, quality of installation and training and equipment failure where it happens.

Report outlining country good practices throughout the process including challenges, lessons learned and critical success factors.

A final report on achievements and assistance provided to UNICEF/Countries, including a summary PowerPoint® presentation

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1.Education:

Advanced university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Project Management, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Public Health, Data Management and Analysis or related to supply and logistics operations in UNICEF program areas.

*First university degree combined with 11 years relevant professional work experience and understanding of relevant functions may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.

2.Work experience:

Minimum eight years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in supply management, vaccines programming including cold chain and vaccine management. Work experience managing large-scale projects, working with governments, working in resource-limited settings, monitoring and evaluating supply chains, and risk management and mitigation will be an asset.

3.Technical knowledge:

Product knowledge on cold chain equipment, new cold chain technologies and 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.

4.Language:

Fluency in English and French required for TA position in WCAR

5. Work Conditions

Duration:  6 months

Location: Dakar

Field Missions/Travel:    Dakar-based position,  including  Multiple field missions to support country Offices

Start Date: 1st of June 2018

Reporting to: Regional Chief of Supply, Dakar, WCARO

Position level: P4

Contract type: Temporary Appointment

Closing Date Mon May 14 2018 00:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)

Apply: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=512529