International Specialist Consultant in Vaccine Management – 4 months – Conakry Guinea At United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Objective of the activity/mission:

Since the re-emergence of poliovirus variant cases in 2023, Guinea has reported 74 type 2 cases (45 AFP cases, 27 environmental surveillance cases) in 2023 and 10 type 2 cases (5 AFP cases, (environmental surveillance cases) plus 3 type 3 cases in 2024.
In response to the re-emergence of this epidemic, the country conducted a vaccination campaign in 5 districts in August 2023 and a national campaign in October 2023 with the nOPV2 vaccine, then three campaigns in 2024 with nOPV2, including a co-administration of nOPV2 and bOPV in 6 districts during the third campaign. In view of the situation, the strategic committee of the rapid response team requested the organization of two national campaigns in the first half of 2025 with co-administration of nOPV2 and bOPV.
To support the efforts, UNICEF plans to deploy technical assistance, particularly in the area of ​​social and behavior change (SBC) as well as in the area of ​​vaccine management and the cold chain, in accordance with its mandate within the Global Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
In order to improve the quality of the response for the various passages, particularly for aspects relating to vaccine handling and management, the assessment of storage capacity by updating the stock inventory and available equipment, the UNICEF office in Guinea is initiating the recruitment of an international consultant for 4 months to support the country in the coordination and implementation of the logistics preparation plan.

Overall Objective
The Logistics, Cold Chain and Vaccine Management Specialist is responsible for supporting the country in planning, utilizing, stock-managing, disposing of (if necessary) and properly reporting all vaccines used in polio vaccination campaigns.

More specifically, he/she will be responsible for:
Before the campaigns:
1. Collaborate with the Ministry of Health, the Guinean Red Cross, WHO, UNICEF and other GPEI partner teams and the GPEI Technical Officer/Coordinator to work on vaccine needs, strengthen the cold chain and logistics aspects of the National Logistics Plan and adapt the SOP on polio event or outbreak response and technical guides for vaccine management to the country context.
2. Engage with key partners and implement appropriate or specific logistics strategies to make vaccines available in hard-to-reach or insecure areas.
3. Ensure the updating of the inventory of active and passive cold chain equipment, the proper functioning of the cold chain and the optimization of storage capacities.
4. Support the micro-planning exercise.
5. Facilitate the distribution and optimal use of vaccines and consumables in accordance with the macro and micro plans and ensure that the quantities received are in line with the distribution plan.
6. Ensure adequate storage of vaccines and consumables at each level of the supply chain.
7. Ensure that vaccine management tools are updated and compliant with standards and develop mechanisms to expedite the collection, analysis and transmission of paper reports and ODK questionnaires.
8. Ensure that vial monitors and their supervisors are on board and adequately trained on all aspects of logistics and vaccine management at least three days before the SIA.
9. Capacity building: training of all staff and partners involved in polio outbreak response on vaccine management and cold chain in the context of polio SIAs according to available training modules. This includes training on management tools, use of ODK questionnaires for vaccine management, use of the online dashboard and deployment of these tools and training modules in the country.

During campaigns:
1. Monitor the implementation of all aspects of vaccine management and cold chain strategies as outlined in the National Logistics Plan and technical guides on vaccine management and cold chain during polio SIAs.
2. Monitor health facility performance indicators on the online dashboard and take corrective actions to optimize performance and improve the quality of vaccine management.
3. Ensure that vial monitors complete the paper system and ODK questionnaires daily and that supervisors use the online dashboard to monitor stocks, missing vials, cold chain status and consumption.
4. Provide frequent and regular reports to the supervisor on all aspects of vaccine management and cold chain and contribute to updates for situation reports (SITREPS), bulletins and newsletters.

Between rounds:
1. Support the development of an improvement plan by ensuring that all weaknesses observed during the first round and previous campaigns are corrected

After campaigns:
1. At the end of each round, ensure that all usable vials are collected at a predetermined level in the supply chain for future use.
2. At the end of each response, ensure that all unusable vials are safely disposed of according to WHO and/or national guidelines and that the country is certified by the Ministry of Health as free of poliovirus type 2 vaccine.
3. Facilitate the timely submission of daily summary sheets, vial monitoring forms and Form A to all levels and destruction reports, as appropriate.
4. Collect and analyze vaccine stocks and their utilization at all levels of the supply chain at the end of each round.
5. Evaluate the performance of vial monitors and their supervisors and provide necessary advice and guidance.
6. Prepare reports in accordance with IMEP requirements at the end of each round and at the end of the response.
7. Support outbreak response assessment teams with information related to logistics and vaccine management aspects.

Scope of Work:
The international consultant will work in the EPI and UNICEF premises at the central level and may be deployed within the country as needed. Under the supervision of the health program’s logistics and cold chain specialist, the national consultant will work closely with all stakeholders involved in polio eradication activities. The international consultant will spend an average of 6 days of field mission per campaign.

Deliverables

The consultant will cover the 2 national campaign phases with certain tasks and deliverables that fall under the different stages of each campaign.

Minimum qualifications required:

University degree in logistics management or other equivalent diplomas.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Have at least 3 years of experience in managing the logistics of the expanded routine immunization program;
• Have proven experience in the field of implementing mass vaccination campaigns, more specifically polio NIDs;
• Experience in managing the logistics of vaccination campaigns. Previous involvement in a campaign using mOPV2/nOPV2 will be an asset
• Experience in managing EPI logistics (Cold Chain, Vaccine Management, Waste Management)
• Have skills in leadership, teamwork and adult training;
• Master the IT tool, in particular Excel, Word and PowerPoint software
• Master the logistics tools of the Expanded Program on Immunization: GEV, SMT, DHIS2, CDF Equipment inventory tool, etc.
• Work experience in the context of emergencies and developing countries.
• Mastery of French (read, spoken and written)
• Knowledge of English as a work tool would be an asset.

For each child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF values: care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability and sustainability (CRITAS).

Application Submission

Interested candidates are requested to apply online only on this page and attach the following files:

• A technical proposal
• An all-inclusive financial package offer (including miscellaneous costs such as internet and telephone communication, transport costs and subsistence allowance during the mission in Kankan if the consultant does not reside in this city and during field work)
• A CV indicating the necessary qualifications and any relevant experience;
• Copy of the highest diploma;
• Copy of passport or national identity document.

UNICEF exists to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our workforce 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 provides reasonable accommodations to individual consultants/contractors with disabilities. Examples include accessible software, travel assistance for assignments, and personal escorts. We encourage you to disclose your disability in your application in case you require reasonable accommodation during the selection process and subsequently in your assignment.

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 protection principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore be subject to rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include verification of academic qualifications and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to enable background checks to be conducted.

Remarks :

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and will move on to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered as “staff members” within the meaning of the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and UNICEF policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to the benefits provided thereunder (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and by the General Conditions for Service Contracts for Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax obligations and for paying any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable legislation.

It is the responsibility of the selected candidate to ensure that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties under 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 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), which must be done before the start of the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will be working remotely and are not expected to work or travel to UNICEF premises, programme sites or interact directly with the communities UNICEF works with, or travel to perform UNICEF functions during the duration of their consultancy contract.

UNICEF exists to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our workforce 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 provides reasonable accommodations to individual consultants/contractors with disabilities. Examples include accessible software, travel assistance for assignments, and personal escorts. We encourage you to disclose your disability in your application in case you require reasonable accommodation during the selection process and subsequently in your assignment.

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 protection principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore be subject to rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include verification of academic qualifications and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to enable background checks to be conducted.

https://www.unjobnet.org/apply/76231509