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In 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for all.
And we never give up.
For each child, a champion
Context
According to WHO-UNICEF estimates of 2022 national immunization coverage (WUENIC), Penta 3 immunization coverage and measles immunization coverage remained at 47% from 2015 to 2022, this makes Guinea one of the countries with the lowest rates of vaccination coverage. This situation creates an inequity and accumulation of UNvaccinated’children with the consequence of the occurrence of certain epidemics due to Vaccine-preventable Diseases (VMEs) such as measles, yellow fever, etc, diphtheria, poliovirus type 2 variant and pertussis.
From the beginning of the’year to the 50th epidemiological week of 2023, the country recorded 31 laboratory-confirmed cases of diphtheria and 1,311 clinically compatible cases, 1,079 suspected measles cases and 27 confirmed PV2 cases (21 cases of AFP, 04 of contacts and 02 cases of environmental monitoring) and 13 cases are awaiting sequencing, 2 Of environmental monitoring. A local campaign and a national polio vaccination response campaign have been organized and the second national campaign scheduled for early December 2023 has been postponed to 2024, with possibility of’ other campaigns depending on the epidemiological situation. In addition, a response plan against diphtheria is being finalized.
As part of the relaunch of the ENP, the Prime Minister, a champion of vaccination, has set goals to improve vaccination coverage in Penta 3 from 47 to 67%. The country is therefore mobilized with the’ set of partners to boost vaccination strategies through’ intensification and catch-up activities of zero-dose children and under-immunized children. To this end, he has just finalized his document of « great catch-up » 2024-2025 targeting children up to the age of 5 years who have missed their vaccinations since 2019.
The country is also involved in several important projects, including the’ development of the national vaccination strategy, the’ vaccination coverage survey, the validation survey of the’ elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus, and, l’introduction of the Rotavirus diarrhoea vaccine and of the malaria vaccine, and, routine vaccination against COVID-19 and the implementation of the major catch-up of zero-dose children and under-immunized children through intensified vaccination activities
All these activities require the strengthening of’s support from’UNICEF to the ENP in collaboration with other partners. In this context,’UNICEF is recruiting an international staff (e) to provide technical support for the implementation and monitoring of routine ENP strengthening activities, including, in particular integrated multi-antigen’ intensification campaigns (intensified vaccination activities, big catch-up as well as’integration during response campaigns)
Object of the mission
According to WHO-UNICEF estimates of 2022 national immunization coverage (WUENIC), Penta 3 immunization coverage and measles immunization coverage remained at 47% from 2015 to 2022, this makes Guinea one of the countries with the lowest rates of vaccination coverage. This situation creates an inequity and accumulation of UNvaccinated’children with the consequence of the occurrence of certain epidemics due to Vaccine-preventable Diseases (VMEs) such as measles, yellow fever, etc, diphtheria, poliovirus type 2 variant and pertussis.
From the beginning of the’year to the 50th epidemiological week of 2023, the country recorded 31 laboratory-confirmed cases of diphtheria and 1,311 clinically compatible cases, 1,079 suspected measles cases and 27 confirmed PV2 cases (21 cases of AFP, 04 of contacts and 02 cases of environmental monitoring) and 13 cases are awaiting sequencing, 2 Of environmental monitoring. A local campaign and a national polio vaccination response campaign have been organized and the second national campaign scheduled for early December 2023 has been postponed to 2024, with possibility of’ other campaigns depending on the epidemiological situation. In addition, a response plan against diphtheria is being finalized.
As part of the relaunch of the ENP, the Prime Minister, a champion of vaccination, has set goals to improve vaccination coverage in Penta 3 from 47 to 67%. The country is therefore mobilized with the’ set of partners to boost vaccination strategies through’ intensification and catch-up activities of zero-dose children and under-immunized children. To this end, he has just finalized his document of « great catch-up » 2024-2025 targeting children up to the age of 5 years who have missed their vaccinations since 2019.
The country is also involved in several important projects, including the’ development of the national vaccination strategy, the’ vaccination coverage survey, the validation survey of the’ elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus, and, l’introduction of the Rotavirus diarrhoea vaccine and of the malaria vaccine, and, routine vaccination against COVID-19 and the implementation of the major catch-up of zero-dose children and under-immunized children through intensified vaccination activities
All these activities require the strengthening of’s support from’UNICEF to the ENP in collaboration with other partners. In this context,’UNICEF is recruiting an international staff (e) to provide technical support for the implementation and monitoring of routine ENP strengthening activities, including, in particular integrated multi-antigen’ intensification campaigns (intensified vaccination activities, big catch-up as well as’integration during response campaigns)
L’objective general
The international specialist consultant will be responsible for providing, in close collaboration with the supervisor, support for the strengthening of vaccination activities including planning, implementation and follow-up in the context of routine vaccination as well as responses to outbreaks of PV2 and diphtheria.
More specifically, he (she) will be charged (e) with :
1. Support the finalization of the national immunization strategy document and the diphtheria response plan
2. Support’data analysis for selection of low performance districts
3. Participate in the various ENP working groups set up for polio and diphtheria response vaccination campaigns
4. Participate in staff training and supervision of field activities
5. Support the preparation, implementation, monitoring and’assessment of the second phase of the national vaccination campaign to nOPV2 planned for February 2024
6. Analyze the independent monitoring and LQAS data of the Polio campaigns planned for February to guide planning for future campaigns
7. Support the planning and implementation of the response to diphtheria in the selected districts
8. Document the processes, the results achieved as well as the lessons learned from the implementation.
The (the) international consultant(e) (e) will work in the premises of the ENP and’UNICEF at the central level and can be deployed inside the country as required. Under the supervision of the health programme immunization specialist, the (the) national consultant(e) (e) will work closely with all stakeholders, including ENP, WHO, GAVI, BMGF, etc, Mc King, USAID, FOSAD, involved in routine vaccination activities and additional activities. As part of the capacity building of the field teams (training workshops, training supervision), it will travel to regions and districts according to the planning agreed upon with the teams at the central level
Deliverables
• Plan of response of the diphtheria finalized according to the different scenarios
• PLAN d’improvement du second round de la campaign Polio elaborated 30 janvier 25%
• Summary reports of meetings for planning vaccination campaigns Polio available Continue
• Report on the’ support for the’ elaboration of the document of the National Vaccination Strategy elaborated. 28 February 35%
• Update of the selection of low performance districts carried out Monthly
• ’ Report analysis of independent monitoring data and the LQAS of the second round of the Polio campaign
• ’improvement plan developed for future campaigns 30 March 30%
• 2 Reports on the supervision of intensified vaccination activities At the end of each supervision
• 15 Days after each visit, summary of implementation reports of intensified vaccination activities and big catch-up
• Consolidated report of the consultation End of consultation 10%
To be considered an advocate for each child, you must have…
• Hold a university degree of advanced level in : human health, public health, epidemiology, vaccination or in a related and relevant field
Have a minimum of five years of professional experience in Public Health with proven experience in the field of vaccination (PEV in aspects of planning, implementation, etc, monitoring and evaluation) or management of health programmes; and;
• 2 Proven professional experiences in the field of’analyses, management and transfer of skills ;
• Have experience in coordinating ENP interventions (GPEI, NOC, CCIA)
• Have experience in the development of’ documents supporting training on polio vaccines,’ logistical support and reporting of Polio campaigns
• Having a sense of teamwork, a capacity for synthesis, of’analysis and writing
• Have experience in capacity building of actors and partners ;
• Have an aptitude to work in a multicultural environment and to establish harmonious and effective working relations both inside’ and OUTSIDE of’organisation ;
• 2 A similar successful experience within the United Nations System, in particular’UNICEF, or with international organizations is an asset.
• Maitrise du Francais (Lu, parle et writte)
• Knowledge of’anglais as a working tool would be an asset.
For each child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF values: attention, respect, integrity, trust, responsibility and sustainability (CRITAS).
Submission of candidacy
Interested candidates are asked to apply only online on this page and attach to it in attached files :
- Technical proposal
- A flat-rate all-inclusive financial offer (including various costs such as internet and telephone communication, etc, transport costs and subsistence allowance during the mission to Conakry if the consultant is not resident in the city and during field work)
- A CV indicating the necessary qualifications and any relevant experience ;
- Copy of the highest degree ;
- Copy of passport or national identity document.
UNICEF is there to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our staff must reflect the diversity of these children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, regardless of race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background or any other personal characteristic.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation to consultants / individual contractors with disabilities. These may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal guides. We encourage you to report your disability when applying in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and thereafter, as part of your assignment.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on behaviour that is incompatible with the goals and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and, abuse of power and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child protection principles. All selected applicants will be required to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore be subject to rigorous verification of their references and background. Background checks will include university credentials and professional background checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to allow for background checks.
Remarks :
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and will proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
Persons engaged under a consultant contract or an individual contract will not be considered “staff members” within the meaning of the status and rules of United Nations personnel and UNICEF policies and procedures, and, and will not be entitled to the benefits provided for therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their terms of service will be governed by their contract and by the terms and conditions of the service contracts of consultants and individual contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax obligations and for paying any taxes and/or duties, including, in accordance with local law or any other applicable law.
It is the responsibility of the selected candidate to ensure that the ( visa, if applicable ) and the health insurance necessary for the performance of the tasks provided for in the contract are valid for the entire duration of the contract. Selected applicants must confirm that they are fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 ( Covid-19 ) using a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization ( WHO ), what needs to be done before the start of the mission. It does not apply to consultants who work remotely and are not expected to work or go to UNICEF premises, at the program delivery locations or interact directly with the communities with which UNICEF works, or travel to exercise functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultant contract.
ToRs International Consultant Support PEV routine publication.docx
