The aim is to assess where ESA countries are in terms of vaccines deliveries in 2023, assess the status of 2024 vaccines forecast and develop monitoring and trucking tool to monitor planning/forecasting and delivery of vaccines and to assess and provide technical support to waste management project.
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TERMS OF REFERENCE
Background and Justification
The assignment involves supporting the Supply Section and the immunization unit within the health section at UNICEF in developing an efficient and effective monitoring/tracking system for all routine and new vaccines including COVID-19 vaccines (COVAX) and related devices, implementation of integration activities of COVID-19 vaccine into routine immunization programs and waste management project in 21 countries in Eastern and Southern African (ESA).
The assignment also assesses the forecast for 2024 activities to determine the support need for the countries. It will assess the implementation of integration activities of COVID-19 vaccine into routine immunization programs. involve assessment of available tools and create awareness and training for effectives and efficient monitoring/tracking system for all routine and COVID-19 vaccines (COVAX) and related devices. Assess and provide technical support for immunization waste management project in the ESA countries
The need for this consultancy arises from the challenges in effectively monitoring and managing vaccines in general and specifically COVAX vaccine supplies in the ESA region, continuous efforts are underway to manage COVAX supplies and reduce wastage as COVID-19 vaccination continues, integrated into Primary Health Care services, the consultant will collect, in coordination with country offices (COs) and the World Health Organization (WHO) data to report on the implementation of vaccines waste management project and as well as implementation of Stock Management Tools (SMT).
Finally, the consultancy will collect data for regional office monitoring of vaccine management for integration of COVID -19 vaccines into routine vaccination. The consultancy is required because the functions assigned to the consultant require intensive follow up with countries that is labor intensive and there is not enough capacity at the regional office. In addition, these tasks require specialized knowledge and skills to optimize the monitoring and technical support.
Scope of Work
- Goal and objective:
Under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Supply and Procurement, Supply Section and the Immunization Supply Chain Specialist the COnsultant will collect data for regional office on current vaccines delivery situations for 2023, on ESA countries 2024 forecasting of routine and covid-19 vaccines, on implementation of integration of COVID-19 into routine immunization programs and finally, assessment of waste management project in the ESA countries.
- Activities and Tasks:
- Assess COs planning and forecasting of vaccines general for 2024.
- Undertake the review of current vaccines delivery situation against the allocations and 2023 forecast.
- Provide technical assistance to COs to strengthen vaccine stock data management and reporting on the allocations, receipts, consumptions as well as support the Regional Health/Immunization on forecasting and monitoring of vaccine(s) procured. This includes among others, keeping track of technical support requirements raised by countries in the region to facilitate comprehensive response and feedback in a timely manner.
- Build COs capacity on the available dashboards (SD and WHO Dashboards) ensuring efficient use for effective stock monitoring/management of vaccines.
- Coordinate with country offices (COs) and world Health Organization (WHO) on the implementation of vaccines waste management project and provide regular update.
- Assess, monitor, and provide support to COs for their effort in integration of COVID -19 vaccines into routine vaccination.
- Participate in global and regional vaccines and COVAX working groups meetings, webinars and share appropriate information with ESAR Supply Community to promote knowledge sharing, documentation of best practices and lessons learnt.
- If and when needed, travel to COs to undertake assessment missions, trainings, verifications and to provide technical assistance as and when required including traveling to the national, regional, district and country level EPI facilities to monitor.
- Provide weekly updates to the Regional Chief Supply on all aspects of vaccine Supply, delivery, and challenges, if any.
j) Undertake other immunization Supply and Logistics related assignments and responsibilities as and when assigned to support the successful response.
- Work relationships:
The consultant will work remotely in close collaboration with the supply and immunizations teams in the regional office, Country Offices, and other external and internal stakeholders as necessary.
- Outputs/Deliverables:
|
Deliverables (SMART) |
Duration (Estimated # of days or months) |
Timeline/Deadline |
Schedule of payment |
|
21 COs x3 days= 63 days |
15 February 2024 |
20% |
|
21 COs x 3 days= 63 days |
14 May 2024 |
25% |
|
21 COs x2 days = 42 days |
11 July 2024 |
10% |
|
21 COsx2 days= 42 days |
9 September 2024 |
10% |
|
21 COs x2 days= 42 days |
6 November 2024 |
25% |
|
10 days |
15 November 2024 |
10% |
Deliverables are different from tasks/activities hence there should be a clear distinction between them. Examples of SMART deliverables include the following: Inception Report; 5 Media Packs covering ESAR emergency priorities; Final Report. However, where deliverables are reports, state the reporting guidelines, it includes requirements such as contents, number of copies, language, who should receive the reports and whether they should be submitted electronically, in hard copy, or both. SMART deliverables facilitate easy evaluation of the performance of the consultant and guide the payment process e.g., partial, or full payment.
Payment Schedule
Payment is made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables. Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by HR.
Advanced university degree in one or more of the following areas: Supply Chain Management, Engineering, logistics management, or related area. *First university degree combined with additional two years relevant professional work experience and understanding of relevant functions may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.
Qualifications
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience at national and international levels in Vaccine management, stock management, program monitoring, working in resource-limited settings, monitoring, and evaluating supply chains, risk management will be an asset.
Language Proficiency
Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement. Working knowledge of French or Portuguese will be an asset.
Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability
The consultant will work under the supervision and guidance of Regional Chief of Supply and Procurement, UNICEF ESARO. UNICEF will be responsible for the management of contract, assess consultant’s work, and evaluate performance based on deliverables. The consultant is expected to provide proof of medical insurance coverage prior to commencing the contract.
The consultant will work from home. Regular bi- weekly remote meeting will be organized to provide updates. The consultant will use his/her own office equipment. As most of the work will be done remotely, the consultant must have high internet connectivity and must be available/reachable online throughout the consultancy.
Should any travel be required, it will be by most economical fare and reimbursement will be as per UNICEF policy. In that case, the selected candidate should confirm fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine prior to travel. The selected candidate will be solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance are valid for the entire period of the contract.
Conditions
The consultant is expected to be home based with potential travel depending on need for which the UNICEF office would cover DSA and travel costs. Travel will be in economy class. If the Consultant is required to quarantine while traveling, UNICEF will pay for the quarantine if not organized by the host country. The consultant will be expected to bring his/her own equipment.
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.”
Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
All products and data developed or collected for this agreement are the intellectual property of UNICEF. The consultant may not publish or disseminate the final report, or any other documents produced from this work without the express permission of and acknowledgement of UNICEF
Risks
All reasonable and risks associated with the consultancy assignment should be identified, and a relevant risk response and possible mitigation action defined.
Objectives in the ToR are not met.
Deliverables not completed.
Inadequate support from COs,
Not delivering quality timely technical support to countries.
Activities are delayed due to reasons beyond the control of UNICEF and the consultant.
To mitigate the above risks contract manager will have regular meetings with the consultant where the consultant will require to provide bi-weekly update and report deliverables and address any issues raised during the meeting.
How to apply
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV or P11 form and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.
Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international or KES for national consultancy or individual contractor contract to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel or subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi.
Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.