Unicef recruits a Consultancy, Polio Outbreak Response and Immunization work plan implementation in Angola

 

 

Unicef :

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, HEALTH

 

 

How can you make a difference?

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to i) oversee and provide UNICEF support (technical, material, financial and managerial) to Government of Angola’s response to the polio outbreaks with focus on vaccine management consistent with the latest SOPs for outbreak responses and ii) provide support for the implementation of key planned activities of the routine immunization programme

The immunization specialist’s services being sought are required to support:

1. The polio outbreak response through supervision of the mOPV2 disposal process and its documentation for validation by the Outbreak Assessment and Technical Advisory Group. The consultant will be responsible for monitoring and providing technical assistance to the mOPV2 management, disposal and validation process and verifying the complete and stringent documentation of each step of the process so that the accountability standards are followed to the letter and spirit. The accountability of the mOPV2 management lies with the MoH supported by UNICEF as vaccine management is in the preview of UNICEF mandate as per GPEI protocol. It is thus essential for UNICEF to ensure that following the use of mOPV2 in the outbreak responses, the vaccine disposal, documentation and validation is completed and monitored for quality so that subsequently there is no mOPV2 vaccine being used in any of the provinces that have either conducted mOPV2 campaigns or who are still conducting mOPV2 campaigns as well as within the entire country including the national vaccine stores.
2. The implementation of specific activities of the routine immunization programme in the GAVI post-transition plan A non-exhaustive rundown of these activities is as follows:

1. Technical support role for polio outbreak response vaccine and logistics management for campaign rounds of 12-14 July, 26-28 July, 30 August 01 September and 20-22 September 2019 :

1. Working with the National Immunization Programme and other key stakeholders, develop and oversee implementation of a HR logistics deployment plan for outbreak response SIAs,
2. Capacity building of staff on mOPV2 management including recollection and disposal plan in line with global requirements.
3. Support CO and MoHs to prepare and timely submission of “vaccine deactivation and disposal reports”.
4. Support CO and MoHs to adopt generic “validation guidelines and accountability framework” and implement as per their structure to monitor VM activities including disposal and reverse logistics
5. Support the country to prepare VM sections of their “outbreak readiness” plans
6. Train Government actors on key areas of mOPV2 management and reverse logistics for the conduct of high-quality outbreak response SIAs and containment of OPV2.
7. Oversee the conduct of a Cold Chain capacity assessment in target districts/provinces in view of the smooth and successful implementation of the SIAs with rigorous vaccine management and reverse logistics
8. Lead and coordinate UNICEF staff and UNICEF-funded national logisticians deployed for the outbreak response SIA
9. Participate in Outbreak response SIA daily coordination meetings and reporting to CO
10. Organize reverse logistics for used and unused mOPV2 vials
11. Support the organization of the destruction and disposal of used mOPV2 at the end of each round of SIA and the destruction of used and unused mOPV2 at the end of the last round of SIA.
12. Documenting and reporting on all vaccine and logistics management and retrieval and destruction of used and unused mOPV2 deployed for the SIAs.

2. Support to the implementation of the 2019 annual work plan Activities :

1. Provide logistical support for the organization of a Supply chain manager training of 15 middle level managers (STEP)[1]
2. Provide logistical support for the implementation of a Supply chain pilot in 6 provinces (3 phases + maintenance) with Logistimo
3. Provide support for the implementation of immunization-plus microplans at municipal level in Huila and Cunene provinces
4. Support the development of an action plan for urban child health package delivery strategy with focus on immunization
5. Provide logistical support towards the evaluation of the status of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination in Angola
6. Draft sections any due donor reports in areas of consultant; work for review by established internal mechanisms

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have :

Education :

Advanced university degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the area of the expertise — Medicine or Public Health. Training in Cold Chain & vaccine Management will be an asset. A first level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience :

• At least 5 to 8 years of professional work experience at national and international levels in outbreaks response, routine immunization, public health and other relevant programs.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance to governments on the implementation of outbreak responses (polio) and for routine immunization activities.
• Demonstrated experience in managing vaccine and reverse logistics for mOPV2 released for outbreak responses
• Emergency experience is an asset.
• Familiarity with the UN system and Polio Eradication efforts is desired
• Willingness to immediately take up the assignment.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement. Working knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish will be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate :

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 

Remarks :

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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