UNICEF is inviting proposals from individual qualified national consultants for the Provision of Technical Assistance in Expanded Program for Immunisation Logistics (EPI Logistics), Zimbabwe

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1. Background

The Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) is at the core of Primary Health Care (PHC) and remains a dominant strategic pillar of health interventions to reduce under 5 morbidity and mortality rates. The Zimbabwe Expanded Program for Immunization (ZEPI) was launched under the Primary Health Care Program, with the main objective of reducing mortality and morbidity from vaccine preventable diseases (VPDS). During the first decades post-independence, the EPI programme has sustained a high coverage of immunization above 80% but sustaining gains is faced with many challenges. The implementation of the National Health Strategy and the related EPI component have been undermined by a number of health system challenges which include human resources for health, poorly performing National Health Information and Surveillance System,  inadequate health financing as well as sub-optimal health infrastructure characterised by varying states of dilapidation and lack of investment in new essential equipment.  In view of the increasing needs of the program in terms of attaining various global goals and targets, UNICEF intends to recruit a Consultant for 3 months

 

2. Justification

The EPI aims to examine further the key dimensions of quality, availability and access, demand and enabling environment for essential immunization services nationwide. Implementation of the Reach every Districts (RED) at all levels, upgrading and managing the cold chain equipment in the whole country, introducing new vaccines are also a part of the EPI ambitious work plan.

The EPI MOHCC team benefits from consistent support from UNICEF, WHO and JSI and yet the high volume of work demands more human resources to ensure high quality implementation of activities and rigorous financial management.  It is for this reason that a consultant for 3 months is sought to ensure: –

a) Adequate technical assistance to MOHCC during the last quarter of 2018;

b) Effective management and monitoring of all Gavi grants utilization including review of activity requests and reporting.

The technical support is required to coordinate and ensure efficient planning and implementation of the planned programs for strengthening of health system. It is against this background that UNICEF intends to hire the consultant to provide technical support to the EPI unit.

 

3. Purpose of Consultancy

The EPI Logistics Consultant will provide technical support to the EPI unit of Ministry of Health and Child Care- Zimbabwe. As the country faced delays in receiving funds for the year, activities are anticipated to accelerate in the 4^thquarter and this additional technical assistance will contribute to in the extra workload pertaining to planning, coordinating, documenting and reporting.

 

4. Scope of work

Under the direct supervision of  UNICEF Health  Manager the consultant is expected to work with MoHCC EPI unit, EPI partners and various working groups to:

• Provide technical support to planning, coordinating, documenting and reporting of the EPI Logistics.
• Facilitate the continuous dialogue and coordination between EPI unit and relevant program departments of the MoHCC as well as other partners implementing or providing techinical assistance  for the effective implementation of activities.
• Provide support in identifying gaps in the quality and equity of program delivery (equity barrier analysis) and propose solutions to address them to MoHCC and ICC

 5. Major tasks, Deliverables and timeframe

 

No	Major Task	Deliverable	Timeframe (work-days)
1	Inception meeting to discuss the assignment and process of implementation.	Inception report to include detailed work plan, targets and timelines as agreed with the supervisor	5
2	Provision of technical support to ensure 563 health facilities in 8 rural provinces have adequate LP gas for cold chain	Distribution plan for LP gas and delivery from all provinces covering 563 health facilities	29
3	Provide technical support and pipeline monitoring of vaccine and non-vaccine products	100% Vaccine Arrival Reports are reported to UNICEF Supply Division within 72 hours of receipt in the country	5
4	Support MOHCC in 2019 vaccine forecasting	2019 vaccine Forecasting tool in place.	5
5	Track and update procurement tracking tool	100% updates of payment tracking tool	7
6	Provide technical assistance in the procurement of cold chain equipment	100% procurement of all CCEOP items in the proposal	5
7	Generate Q3 and annual HDF and TCA reports. EPI data analysis and reporting on performance indicators.	Q3 and annual HDF and TCA reports uploaded on GAVI portal	10

 

 

6.  Consultancy Timeframe

The consultant is expected to be completed in 3 months starting from the 1st of October upto 31st December 2018.

7.  Consultancy Requirements

• A University Degree in Logistics and supply chain management, public health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management,or other supply chain related qualifications is required.
• At least 2 years professional experience in immunization supplies and logistics management.
• Very strong planning, conceptualizing and consultation skills.
• Experience in working with Government and civil society organizations in relation to capacity strengthening in development context.
• Prior work experience in Zimbabwe is an asset.
• Fluency          in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN Language or local language is an asset.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills;
• Excellent computer (Excel, word and power point) skills;
• Indepth understanding of the Expanded Program on Immunisation distinct is an  advantage
• Prior experience in vaccine management and logistics at National/provincial level or other agencies.

• Knowledge and experience in cold chain management.

 

Application Procedure

If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV, Technicaland an all-inclusive financial proposal detailing daily professional fees, daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for estimated 10 field travel days for the duration of the contract and other miscellaneous consultancy costs for delivering this assignment.

Settlement of Consultant’s fees will be done through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) to the consultant’s local bank account.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.