Vaccine Management Consultants, Freetown, Sierra Leone, Six Months - Open only to Sierra Leonean nationals

UNICEF Sierra Leone is looking for qualified Sierra Leoneans to support the implementation of response activities to stopping the transmission of Polio Virus in Sierra Leone

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, a champion 

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of the assignment:

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the implementation of response activities to stopping the transmission of the Polio Virus in Sierra Leone and to provide technical assistance to the national Immunization programme to effectively implement the upcoming Polio campaigns as well to strengthen routine immunization services with special focus on the planning, implementation, and monitoring of effective vaccine and cold chain management systems.  

Specific Tasks:

1. Provide implementation support and build capacity of health staff through training and supervision especially those at service delivery level and monitor the overall implementation of EPI services at district level with focus on Cold Chain, Logistics and Vaccine Management, including:

• Facilitating the distribution and optimal use of vaccines and consumables according to both campaign and routine EPI plans and ensure that receipts comply with the distribution plans.
• Ensuring the proper storage of vaccines and consumables at each level of the supply chain.
• Collecting and analysing both campaign and routine vaccine stock and utilization status at all levels of the supply chain periodically.
• Supporting both central and District Operations Officers to prepare vaccine stock reports when submitting requests for routine vaccines.
• Providing support for all immunization related trainings such as “Immunization In Practice (IIP)” at district and health facility levels.
• Undertaking field visits to DHMTs and health facilities to provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring support related to effective vaccine and cold chain management.

2. Support the planning and implementation of both Malaria introduction and HPV switch campaigns in all the districts/health facilities.
3. Support the use and reporting of monthly Stock Management Tool
4. Support conducting of monthly physical count of Immunization supplies (vaccines and syringes) and other health commodities at district stores and sharing such data with central level.
5. Support the updating of district cold chain inventories and reporting to central level monthly.
6. Work closely with DHMTs and ensure complete and timely submission of monthly reports on both routine and Covid-19 vaccination and stock balances.
7. Support districts to plan and respond to emergencies, particularly those related to vaccine preventable diseases.
8. Work closely with DHMTs to ensure complete and timely submission of all monthly reports on immunization.

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

• A first university degree is required in supply chain management, logistics, business, operations management, public health, or any other relevant field.
• Have at least participated in similar outbreak response activities/mass vaccination campaigns related to effective vaccine and cold chain management practices.
• Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance to similar exercise.
• Proven track record in interfacing with national ministries of health is a distinct advantage.
• At least two years progressively responsible of field work experience in immunization and cold chain required, including experience in primary health care service delivery in developing countries.
• Very good command of English language, both oral and written, including report-writing skills.
• Very good analytical capacities: excellent ability to synthesize information and relate action to results.
• Ability to work independently to meet deadlines.
• Previous experience in working within UN agencies or other non-governmental organization is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate in a multicultural environment.
• Completed training on BSAFE and PSEA.

Please access the full TOR here: VA TOR - Vaccine Management Consultants - March 2024.pdf

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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. 

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.