UNICEF is inviting proposals from individual qualified national consultants for the Provision of technical assistance in routine Expanded Program for Immunisation (EPI), Zimbabwe

 

Description

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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 characterized 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:

1. Adequate technical assistance to MOHCC during the last quarter of 2018;
2. Effective management and monitoring of all Gavi grants utilization including review of activity requests and reporting.

 

3. Purpose of Consultancy

The EPI Routine Immunization 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^th quarter and this additional technical assistance will contribute to meeting the extra workload pertaining to planning, coordinating, program and budget monitoring, documenting and reporting.

 

4. Scope of work and major tasks

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, programme and budget utilization monitoring, documenting and reporting of the EPI activities.

• Facilitate the continuous dialogue and coordination between EPI unit and relevant program departments of the MoHCC as well as other partners implementing or providing technical 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 task, deliverable 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 and targets and timelines as agreed with the Supervisor	5 days
2	Provide technical support during EPI review meetings to low performing district and facilitate implementation of recommendations.	EPI reviews and reports recommendations implemented.	11 days
3	Provide technical support in the training of VHWs to roll out My Village My Home concept.	Training report	5 days
4	Generate Q3 and annual HDF and TCA reports. EPI data analysis and reporting on performance indicators.	Third quarter HDF report TCA reports uploaded in the GAVI portal by 30 November	18 days
5	Provide analysis of HDF -Gavi grants utilisation	Monthly grant utilisation reports	10 days
6	Provide technical support in data collection process for the KAP study	Data collection report	12 days
7	Prepare the final Consultancy report	Satisfactory consultancy report	5 days

 

6. Consultancy Timeframe

The assignment is expected to be completed in 66 working days starting from the 1st of October up to 31st December 2018.

 

7. Consultancy Requirements

Education

The Consultant should have the following qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Public Health, Community Health, or related field.

 Experience

• At least 2years working experience in the health sector;
• Demonstrated understanding of the Expanded Program on Immunization
• Good understanding of the Zimbabwe health system;
• Experience in working with multiple health sector stakeholders;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills;
• Excellent computer (Excel, word and power point) skills;

 

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.

 Apply here