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For each child, a champion
Context
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative ( IMEP ) aims to ensure that future generations are safe from the threat of polio paralysis. Achieving this goal depends on stopping the transmission of poliovirus in endemic countries and ensuring rapid and effective responses to epidemics of poliovirus occurring in free countries polio.
Like several countries in the African region of WHO, Guinea faces several epidemic episodes of circulating poliovirus, type 2 vaccine 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 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 throughout the entire’ of the territory in several towers. Round 0 and Round 1 were held with a delay on the scheduled dates. The second round, scheduled for early December 2023, has been postponed to 2024 and further rounds will be added’y depending on the epidemiological situation. It is within this framework that the GPEI has granted funds to the country to support human resources during the first half of 2024.
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 this context,’UNICEF is urgently looking for an international vaccine management consultant to support the country in the preparation, conduct and evaluation of the rounds planned for 2024.
L’objective general
The specialist in logistics, cold chain and vaccine management is responsible for helping the country plan, use, manage stocks, etc, eliminate (if necessary) and properly notify all vaccines used in the AVS passages against poliomyelitis.
More specifically, he (she) will be charged (e) with :
Before the campaigns :
1. Collaborate with the Ministry of Health,’OMS,’ICEF and other IMEP partner teams and the technical/coordinator of’IMEP to work on vaccine needs, including, strengthen the cold chain and logistical aspects of the National Logistics Plan and adapt the POS on the response to a polio event or outbreak and technical guides for management vaccines in the context of the country.
2. Engage with key partners and apply appropriate or specific logistics strategies to make vaccines available in hard-to-reach or unsafe areas.
3. Ensure that the inventory of active and passive equipment in the cold chain is updated, that the cold chain is working properly and that storage capacities are optimized.
4. Support the micro-planning exercise.
5. Facilitate the distribution and optimal use of vaccines and consumables in accordance with macro and micro plans and ensure that the quantities received comply with the distribution plan.
6. Ensure adequate storage of vaccines and consumables at each level of the supply chain.
7. Ensure vaccine management tools are updated and compliant with standards and develop mechanisms to accelerate collection, and, analysis and transmission of paper reports and ODK questionnaires.
8. S’ ensure that vial monitors and their supervisors are on board and are properly trained on all aspects of vaccine logistics and management at least three days prior to the AVS.
9. Building capacity : training of all personnel and partners involved in the response to polio epidemics on vaccine management and the cold chain in the context of polio ASD according to the modules training available. This includes training in management tools, the’ use of ODK questionnaires for vaccine management, and, the use of the online dashboard and the deployment of these training tools and modules in the country.
During the campaign :
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 vaccines and the cold chain during polio AVS.
2. Monitor the performance indicators of health centers on the online dashboard and take corrective measures to optimize results and improve the quality of vaccine management.
3. Ensure that the monitors in the vials fill the paper system and ODK questionnaires daily and that supervisors use the online dashboard to monitor stocks, missing vials, the state of the cold chain and consumption.
4. Provide frequent and regular reports to the supervisor on all aspects of vaccine and cold chain management and contribute to updates for ( SPEEDS status reports), newsletters and newsletters.
Between the passages :
1. Support the development of an improvement plan by ensuring that all weaknesses observed in the first round and previous campaigns are corrected
After the campaigns :
1. At the end of each pass, S’ ensure that all usable vials are recovered at a predetermined level of the supply chain for future use.
2. At the end of each response, ensure that all unusable vials are safely disposed of in accordance with WHO guidelines and/or national and that the Ministry of Health certifies the country as free of polio virus type 2 vaccine.
3. Facilitate the timely transmission of daily summary sheets, flask monitoring forms and A forms at all levels as well as destruction reports, where appropriate.
4. Collect and analyze vaccine stocks and their use at all levels of the supply chain at the end of each run.
5. Evaluate the work of the vial monitors and their supervisors and provide the necessary advice and guidance.
6. Prepare reports in accordance with the requirements of the EMEP at the end of each passage and at the end of the response.
7. Support epidemic response assessment teams with information related to the logistics and management aspects of vaccines.
Supervision
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 logistics and cold chain specialist of the health programme, the (the) national consultant(e) (e) will work closely with all actors involved in the activities of’ eradication of polio.
Deliverables
The consultant will cover the 2 passages of national campaigns with certain tasks and deliverables that go back to the different stages of each campaign.
Passage 2
The national logistics plan is updated and shared with UNICEF CO and the UNICEF regional office.
The analysis of the gaps identified during the’inventory of passive and active cold chain equipment is done
The distribution plan for vaccines, consumables and management tools is updated and distributed to all health facilities involved in the campaign.
Vaccine management players are seeing their capacities strengthened and mastering management tools including ODK and have installed the latest version of the questionnaires on their smartphone 01 March 15%
District, regional and national level supervisors use the online dashboard to monitor vaccine use and provide feedback accordingly
The improvement plan is shared with the Rapid Response Team and the’UNICEF regional office for comments
The reporting times of the ODK questionnaire on the follow-up of vaccine consumption are satisfactory.
The signed national form A and destruction reports are shared with the UNICEF regional office within 14 days of passage 2.
The physical inventory after passage 2 is shared with the UNICEF regional office.
The summary report of the evaluation of the monitors of the vials and their supervisors is shared with UNICEF CO as well as the R2 improvement plan 28 April 25%
Passage 3 The’inventory of the equipment of the passive and active cold chain is updated.
The distribution plan for vaccines, consumables and management tools is updated and distributed to all health facilities involved in the campaign.
Vaccine management stakeholders are seeing their capacities strengthened and mastering management tools including ODK and have installed the latest version of the questionnaires on their smartphone 30 May 25%
The reporting times of the ODK questionnaire on the follow-up of vaccine consumption are satisfactory.
District, regional and national level supervisors use the online dashboard to monitor vaccine use and provide feedback accordingly
The signed national form A and destruction reports are shared with the UNICEF regional office within 14 days after passage 3.
The final physical inventory is shared with the UNICEF regional office.
The summary report of the evaluation of the monitors of the vials and their supervisors is shared with UNICEF CO 15 July 30%
The destruction report of all unusable vials as well as the’improvement plan of the campaign. 15 August 10%
To be considered an advocate for each child, you must have…
- Advanced university degree in logistics management or other equivalent degrees;
• 3 Years of experience in the logistics management of the expanded routine vaccination programme ;
• Have proven experience in the field of implementation of mass vaccination campaigns more specifically the JNV polio ;
• Experience in managing the logistics of vaccination campaigns. Previous involvement in a campaign using mOPV2/nOPV2 will be an asset
• (Experience in the management of the logistics of the ENP (Cold chain, Vaccine management, Waste management)
• Having skills in leadership, team work and the training of adults ;
• master the’computer tool, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint software
• Maitriser the logistic tools of the Extended Vaccination Program : GEV, SMT, DHIS2, CDF Equipment inventory tool etc.
• Working experience in the context of emergencies and developing countries.
• Maitrise du Francais (Lu, parle et writte)
• Knowledge of’anglais as a working tool would be an asset.
- Recent experience in responding to the polio’urgency
- Experience in Guinea
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 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.
