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UNICEF for every child – A champion

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) aims to ensure that future generations are free from the threat of polio paralysis. The achievement of this objective depends on the interruption of poliovirus transmission in endemic countries and on ensuring rapid and effective responses to poliovirus outbreaks occurring in exempt countries of polio.

Like several countries in the’OMS African region, Guinea is facing several circulating poliovirus epidemic episodes, type 2 vaccine strain derivatives with 43 cases in 2020 and 9 cases in 2021. To this end 4 rounds of JLV response to mOPV2 were organized and a national campaign (JNV) preventive to the bOPV was organized in October 2021.

In 2022, as a result of the introduction of NOPV2 in many countries of the sub-region, the, guinea although’ having fulfilled all conditions did not use this vaccine and’ organized no preventive vaccination campaign.

As of June 2023, the country has recorded cases of PV2 in the district of Siguiri, in, and in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to respond to a polio event or outbreak it has planned additional reactive vaccination activities in 3 rounds (R0, R1 and R2) with nOPV2; R0 will concern affected DS and the 4 border districts and R1, R2 will concern the whole country.

While the specialist in logistics, cold chain and vaccine management is an essential function for any additional vaccination activity (AVS) against polio, the, it becomes particularly important when the monovalent oral polio vaccine type 2 is deployed.

In order to’ improve the quality of the response for the different passages, particularly for aspects relating to handling and management of the vaccine, l’assessment of storage capacity by updating the’ inventory of stock and available equipment, and, the office of’UNICEF in Guinea initiates the recruitment of 2 national consultants for 6 months to support the regions in the coordination and implementation of the logistics preparation plan.

How can you make a difference ?

L’objective general

Support regions to plan, use, manage stockpiles, eliminate (if necessary) and monitor all vaccines used in polio outbreak campaigns.

More specifically, they (they) will be loaded (e)s with :

• Support the international consultant in preparing the’ supply chain to receive, use and eliminate nVPO2 both in terms of effective management of nVPO2, and, cold chain management and staff performance. 
• Assist the international consultant in the development of the vaccine deployment logistics plan in coordination with the national logistics committee ;
• S’ensure of the updating of the inventory of active and passive equipment of the cold chain, and, the proper functioning of the cold chain and the optimisation of storage capacity at the level of all the districts in the region of its responsibility ;
• Support the development of the distribution plan for vaccines and consumables and their optimal use at all levels of the health pyramid ;
• Support the’ development or adaptation of vaccine management tools to reflect the specific characteristics of nVPO2 and establish a mechanism for collection and recovery, including, l’analysis and transmission of essential logistic data ;
• Monitor the completion of vaccine inventory inventories and their status of use at all levels of the supply chain after each visit ;

Support Ministry of Health trainers and international consultants to train staff and partners involved in vaccine management, including, cold chain logistics and management to best practices in accordance with the guidance note and available learning modules

Each consultant will be responsible for supporting a region. Under the supervision of the logistics and cold chain specialist of the health program, they/they will work closely with all actors involved in the’ eradication of polio in their respective’ intervention regions.

Tasks and Deliverables

The consultants will cover the passages of national campaigns with certain tasks and deliverables that go back to the different stages of each campaign. They/they will have the main tasks of :

• Estimate input and vaccine requirements and ensure the availability of vaccines and inputs at vaccination sites.
• Contribute to the revision of the operational plan for the deployment of cold chains and the plan for the transport and distribution of vaccines.
• Support the regions to review the waste management plan and take the necessary corrective action
• Coordinate with stakeholders (WHO, UNICEF, ENP) and participate in steering and technical committee meetings 
• Evaluate and participate in micro-planning and provide appropriate measures
• Monitor on a daily basis the implementation of the response campaign and analyse the situation ; 
• Participate in meetings and interactions with different stakeholders ;
• Monitor the management of stocks of vaccines and inputs and the operation of cold chain equipment and accompanying’ measures ;
• Formulate recommendations to ensure the preparation and implementation of high-quality immunization activities for the second round Follow routine immunization coverage and support districts to ensure good completeness (part vaccine management well and properly completed, good promptness (report submitted on time) and good completeness of reports (all reports are submitted).
• Make a monitoring plot of the vaccination coverage for each health training including BPOV and IPV.

To be considered an advocate for each child, you must have…

• Bachelor’s degree in stock management or social sciences, sociology, community development, public health, with a focus on vaccination.
• Having a University Diploma in Medicine would be a considerable asset.
• At least 5 years of practical experience and responsibilities in the management of public health programmes, in particular in vaccination, health product logistics or equivalent.
• Work experience in the ENP field would be an asset.
• Experience in the field of training and follow-up.
• Work of’team and’analysis.
• Previous experience with’UNICEF programmes is an asset.
• Work experience in the context of’urgency and developing countries.
• Mastery of French (read, spoken and written)
• 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 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 accommodations to individual consultants/contractors with disabilities. These can be, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal escorts. We encourage you to report your disability when applying in case you need reasonable accommodations 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 health insurance necessary for the performance of the tasks provided for in the contract are valid for the entire duration of the contract. Selected candidates must confirm that they are fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccine, what needs to be done before the mission begins. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work or travel to UNICEF premises, at programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities with which UNICEF works, or travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultant contract.

ToRs 2 national Individual consultants-VM -Polio pub.pdf