UNICEF recruits 01 Consultancy for Effective Vaccine Management
Consultancy for Effective Vaccine Management Juba South Sudan
Job Number: 520042 | Vacancy Link
Locations: Africa: South Sudan
Work Type : Consultancy
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Background
First and foremost, the EVM process strives to institute good storage and distribution practices for vaccines and related supplies. It also is designed to serve as tool for systematic analysis of vaccine supply chain strength and weaknesses while also serving as supervisory aid for monitoring and supporting long-term progresses of individual facilities, by focusing on key aspects of the system.
With financial and technical support from UNICEF, South Sudan conducted the first ever Effective Vaccine Management Assessment (EVMA) in 2012. The assessment focused on all the four levels of service delivery including the National Vaccine Store (NVS), 10 State vaccine stores, 14 County Vaccine Stores and 15 HFs were visited. The findings of the assessment revealed that that all the components assessed were below 40% minimum score. The results of the assessment were used to develop an improvement plan for each level of the supply chain. A follow up EVMA was conducted at national Level in 2015 to review the implementation status of 2012 Improvement plan and updated the plan for 2015 with virtually no significant improvement in all the components assessed. In 2017, a self-assessment was conducted at the National Vaccine Store and out of the nine components assessed, four had scores beyond 80 per cent. The components that had more than 80 per cent include storage capacity, temperature monitoring, Vaccine Arrival Reports, building equipment and transport.
To measure progress and address the above gaps (such as vaccine management, record keeping, stock management and supply distribution), an independent EVM Assessment will be conducted to provide clear understanding of vaccine supply chain management at all levels and help evaluate the strength and weaknesses of the system. To carry out this assessment, UNICEF is seeking for an experienced international expert to conduct EVM assessment and develop a costed improvement plan for all the service delivery levels for improved vaccine management practices
Purpose & Expected Results
The purpose of the consultancy is comprised of 2 objectives. The first is to conduct EVM assessment, using WHO protocol and methodology, is to assess the implementation of vaccine management practices at each level (national, sub national and service delivery) from the arrival point to the delivery point of the vaccine. Then, based on the assessment findings, the consultant is to develop a costed improvement plan for all the service delivery levels for improved vaccine management practices.
Specific Tasks
Objective 1: Comprehensive EVM Assessment (cEVMA)
Identify/list relevant background documents and assist the MoH and country partners in conducting a desktop review of these documents
Work with the MoH to prepare/supervise the different events of the finalized timeline
Assist the MoH to prepare the materials and equipment for the training and site assessments
Review and adopt the WHO questionnaire and train assessors and supervisors
Pre-test the questionnaire and incorporate comments
Assess at least one facility at national, state, county and two Health facilities in each of the counties to be assessed.
Follow up supervisors to make sure they send results in time, collect reports and photos from supervisors
Clean data and analyze results
Present findings and recommendations to government and key partners (e.g. ICC or equivalent body)
Finalize and share report and dataset
Definition and plan of preparatory measures necessary prior to the preparation of the Comprehensive EVM Improvement Plan (cEVM IP).
Brief report on lessons learned from EVM process: (i) the training experience, (ii) the data issues encountered, (iii) observations about comprehension and communication barriers of the assessment team, (iv) general feedback on the questionnaire, tool, methodology, etc.
Objective 2: Comprehensive EVM Improvement Plan (cEVM IP)
A retrospective situation analysis based upon the results and recommendations of the cEVM A, EPI reviews, the equipment inventories, transport and maintenance statistics, EPI administrative data (HMIS), a selection of resource documents made available (incl. comprehensive Multi-Year Plan), and additional information provided by UNICEF.
A prospective situation analysis for 5 years based upon plans for new vaccine introductions and other information available, as directed by UNICEF country programme and WHO.
A collaborative workshop with EPI management to solicit and formulate strategic and programmatic decisions and to review and adopt policies based on cEVMA findings, retrospective and prospective situation analyses.
In coordination with national EPI partners, a comprehensive EVM Improvement Plan that is costed over multi-years and prioritized and details interventions in the following areas:
Cold chain capacity, rehabilitation and management
Physical infrastructure
Maintenance (buildings, vehicles, cold chain equipment)
Transportation and network design
Human resource capacity and professionalization of the supply chain manager position
Logistics Management Information Systems
Innovations and operations research
Waste management system
The EVM IP also needs to include the following elements:
A detailed and prioritized workplan that is fully budgeted, showing which intervention will be implemented by whom and where.
Overview of the technical assistance and outsourcing needs
An indicative chronology for the implementation
Description of how recommendations link to E1 to E9 of the cEVM assessment and strategic measures to achieve strategic objectives: (i) availability of vaccines, (ii) quality of vaccines and (iii) efficiency of the immunization supply chain logistics system.
Detail of the management and accountability structure for the implementation phase
A description of the identified implementation risks and mitigating factors
Endorse the EVM IP and its governance process by the EPI Program Manager and the ICC.
Support the process of linking the EVM IP to GAVI HSS applications or cMYPs.
Brief report on lessons learned from EVM IP process
Deliverables
The consultancy duration consists of a total of 40 working days starting 15th April to 07th June 2019:
A brief report to UNICEF on the EVM process: (i) the training experience, (ii) the data issues encountered, (iii) observations about comprehension and communication barriers of the assessment team, (iv) general feedback on the questionnaire, tool, methodology, etc.
| Deliverables (SMART)
|
Duration
(Estimated # of Days) |
Deadlines |
| -Admin procedures & Security Briefing
-Courtesy visits and briefing of MOH and key partners |
1 | 15th /04/2019 |
| Latest versions of tools and guidance documents from the EVM website are obtained & Country team briefed | 1 | 16th/04/2019 |
| Review and finalize the assessment tools and Excel questionnaires | 2 | 17th -18th /04/2019 |
| Finalize timeline and logistics of remaining tasks
Prepare materials and equipment for training and site assessments |
1 | 19th /04/2019 |
| Training of data collectors and supervisors, if applicable | 2 | 22nd -23rd/04/2019 |
| Pre-testing of the questionnaires & Sites to be assessed are finalised with the MOH | 2 | 24th-25th/04/2019 |
| Desktop review of relevant background documents | 1 | 26th/04/2019 |
| -Steer the data collection exercise at all levels
-Personally assess the national store (PR) and visit one State and County store |
7 | 29th April – 07th May 2019 |
| Import the completed Excel questionnaires into the Assessment tool and clean the data | 3 | 08th-10th /05/2019 |
| – Facilitate a workshop to clean the assessment data
– Work with MoH and country partners to analyze the assessment data, identify strengths and weaknesses, and |
2 | 13th -14th /05/2019 |
| Complete Data Analysis | 2 | 15th-16th/05/2019 |
| Draft the findings and recommendations section of the EVMA report (and presentation) | 2 | 17th -20th /05/2019 |
| -Present findings and recommendations of the EVMA to government and key partners eg. WHO, UNICEF, JSI, CDC etc
-Share draft EVMA report and dataset to stakeholders for review |
1 | 21st/05/2019 |
| Finalize report and dataset based on feedback from review. The final report and dataset are shared | 2 | 22-23rd/05/2019 |
| Definition and plan of preparatory measures necessary prior to the preparation of the Comprehensive EVM Improvement Plan (cEVM IP). | 1 | 24th/05/2019 |
| Draft Costed EVM Improvement Plan produced | 5 | 27th -31st/05/2019 |
| Both the EVMA report and Improvement Plan are presented to ICC including key stakeholders for review and feedback | 1 | 03rd/06/2019 |
| Comments from the dissemination meeting are incoporated | 3 | 04th-06th/06/2019 |
| Handing over of Final Plan, Report and Data Set (EVM files) | 1 | 07th/06/2019 |
| Total | 40 Days |
Qualifications and Competencies required
The above described assignment requires high technical skills as well as good knowledge of international policies and regulations related to immunisation, in particular cold chain management. Applicants are expected to be seasoned experts in the field of vaccine management and immunization with a strong leadership and capability in facilitation.
Minimum, but not limited to, consultants’ qualifications are as follows:
University degree in epidemiology, medicine, public health or supply chain management, with further training on vaccine management, cold chain and supply management. Familiarity with relevant WHO and UNICEF guidelines and tools.
Attained a formal EVM assessor training course
Minimum of 8 years of practical experience in managing supply chain operations involving planning, organizing, implementing and advisory support, with experience in resource-limited settings.
Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in conducting EVMA and related assessments
Experience in having developed EVM IPs in at least one country outside his/her country
Proven experience in strategic negotiations and planning in multi-stakeholder settings
Experience in writing complex strategic proposals, developing multi-year budgets and operational plans
Excellent analytical capacities; excellent ability to synthesize information and relate action to results.
Ability to multi-task and produce quality outputs on short deadlines.
Excellent command of English language, both oral and written, including report-writing skills.
Previous similar work experience with international organizations and /or governmental programs concerning related field is an advantage.
Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance
Proven track record in interfacing with national ministries of health a distinct advantage
Duty Station and Official Travel
The consultant will be required to travel within the country to assess the national vaccine store, sub national vaccine stores and health facilities and supervise data collection teams.
Estimated Cost of the Consultancy
A competitive bidding process will take place and the Section will be able to pay the negotiated daily consultancy fee.
Payment Schedule
The consultant shall be paid 30 per cent of the cost upon arrival. The remaining 70 per cent shall be paid upon completion of all the deliverables and submission of reports.
Reporting Arrangements
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNICEF South Sudan Cold Chain Logistics Specialist under the oversight of the EPI manager. The incumbent will also work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) as well the UNICEF Regional Cold Chain and Logistics (CCL) specialist (Eastern and Southern African region).
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 will be 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.
The selected applicant would be expected to take up the assignment by the 1tth April 2019. And all applications MUST be accompanied with Financial Proposal http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF
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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
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.
Closing Date Fri Mar 08 2019 21:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)