National Health Consultant to support to support integrated maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Open for Eritrean Nationals only

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide integrated technical, operational, and coordination support to strengthen MNCH and EPI systems in Eritrea, with particular focus on immunization systems strengthening, supply chain and forecasting, proposal development (Pandemic Fund), RMNCAH strategy development, and implementation support to national immunization priorities.

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Objectives

The consultancy aims to:

Background

Despite sustained improvements in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and immunization coverage in Eritrea, important system bottlenecks remain in service delivery integration, immunization optimization, forecasting and supply planning, and emergency preparedness for health system shocks.

In addition, the Ministry of Health and partners are advancing key immunization and health systems initiatives, including vaccine optimization platforms, forecasting and supply chain strengthening, and preparation of a Pandemic Fund proposal to strengthen national preparedness and response capacities, in addition to the development of a new RMNCAH strategy covering the periods 2027-2031.

To support these priorities, the Ministry of Health, with support from UNICEF and partners, will engage a MNCH and EPI Strengthening Consultant to provide technical and operational assistance across immunization systems strengthening, proposal development, coordination, and programmatic support functions.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide integrated technical, operational, and coordination support to strengthen MNCH and EPI systems in Eritrea, with particular focus on immunization systems strengthening, supply chain and forecasting, proposal development (Pandemic Fund), RMNCAH strategy development, and implementation support to national immunization priorities.

 Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the Ministry of Health and in close collaboration with UNICEF and partners, the consultant will provide technical, programmatic and operational support to ensure continuity and effective implementation of priority MNCH and EPI activities. The consultancy will particularly support the Health Unit and MoH-EPI during the temporary absence of the Health Officer and will contribute to strengthening programme coordination and implementation, immunization supply systems, strategic document development and support GAVI grant management and new application development.

The consultant will focus on the following key tasks:

1. MNCH and EPI Programme Implementation and Strategic Planning

• Provide technical and operational support to the implementation of priority MNCH and EPI activities in accordance with agreed workplans.
• Support accelerated immunization and RMNCAH-related strategic planning activities, including preparation and consolidation of technical inputs, stakeholder consultations and development or revision of planning documents.
• Support the National Immunization Costing Workshop, including revision of the NIS (National Immunization Strategy) programme narrative, consolidation of technical inputs, preparation of workshop materials and documentation of agreed priorities and actions.
• Support the implementation of the Vaccine Prioritization and Optimization Platform, including preparation of technical inputs, coordination of relevant stakeholders and follow-up on agreed actions.
• Provide technical and operational support to MNCH and EPI meetings, workshops, missions and other programme-related events.
• Provide technical backstopping to maintain continuity of priority Health Unit activities during the temporary absence of the Health Officer.

2. EPI Supply Chain Management, Forecasting and Procurement

• Support EPI and MNCH supply chain management in collaboration with the MoH-EPI, UNICEF Supply Unit and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support forecasting and supply planning activities, including the Forecasting and Supply Planning cascade trainings and follow-up implementation.
• Support monitoring of vaccine and essential health commodity availability using platforms such as SMT and Viva, stock levels, pipeline, distribution requirements and supply plans.
• Support the distribution of government of Japan supported newly procured SDD refrigerators and vaccine carriers in collaboration with the EPI unit.
• Support coordination and follow-up of EPI and health-related procurement processes, including tracking procurement requests, expected delivery dates and outstanding actions.
• Identify supply chain and procurement bottlenecks and facilitate timely follow-up with relevant programme, supply and logistics teams.
• Promote the use of forecasting, supply and stock data to inform procurement, distribution and programme planning.
• Support the revival and strengthening of the National Logistics Working Group, including review and revision of its Terms of Reference (TOR), support the organization and facilitation of consultations and technical discussions, document meetings and decisions, and follow up on agreed action points to ensure timely implementation.

3. Support in Gavi Grant Management and 6.0 Transition Support

• Support the implementation and monitoring of Gavi TCA activities in accordance with agreed plans and timelines.
• Maintain and regularly update a comprehensive Gavi activity tracker covering planned activities, milestones, responsible parties, implementation status, deliverables and outstanding actions.
• Lead GAVI donor reporting twice a year
• Support coordination with MoH, UNICEF, Gavi and other partners to facilitate timely implementation of Gavi-supported activities.
• Identify delays, implementation bottlenecks and areas requiring management attention and facilitate appropriate follow-up.
• Support initiation of the Gavi 6.0 application process, including preparation of background information, consolidation of programme inputs, identification of priorities and gaps, and development of an initial workplan and action tracker.
• Support coordination and preparation for the Gavi mission planned for October, including development of briefing materials, consolidation of programme updates, organization of meetings and documentation of key findings and recommendations.
• Support follow-up on actions and recommendations arising from the Gavi mission.

4. Programme Coordination, Monitoring and Reporting

• Support effective coordination between MoH, UNICEF, Gavi and other relevant partners such as UNFPA and WHO on MNCH and EPI priorities.
• Monitor implementation of key activities against agreed workplans, milestones and deadlines and flag delays or issues requiring attention.
• Follow up on outstanding Direct Cash Transfers (DCTs) for Bare Foot Doctors training, Integrated Management of Newborn and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) training and EmONC finalization, including monitoring the status of liquidations, supporting resolution of outstanding issues and following up on the implementation of activities.
• Follow up on newly submitted DCTs, including those related to Government of Japan-supported activities, and support timely processing, implementation and monitoring of the associated activities.
• Maintain relevant trackers for priority programme activities, including Pandemic Fund, Gavi, supply chain, procurement, training and strategic planning activities.
• Support preparation of programme updates, presentations, briefing notes, donor proposals, donor reports and other materials required by UNICEF, MoH and partners.
• Support the Programme Associate to facilitate and fast-track priority MNCH and EPI tasks, particularly those requiring coordination across programme, supply and administrative functions.

5. Other Responsibilities

• Provide technical and operational support to other MNCH and EPI activities as required within the scope of the consultancy.
• Undertake other related duties and assignments as requested by the Immunization Specialist and FCH director.
• Prepare a comprehensive handover note for the Health Officer to serve as a guiding document upon their return.

 Minimum requirements

Education:

Minimum Qualifications required:

A university degree (Bachelor) in Public Health, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in MNCH and/or immunization programs
• Experience in immunization supply chain management
• Experience in events management, report writing, and good communication and networking skills
• Skills in secretarial tasks
• Proven experience in:
  • Experience with WHO/UNICEF frameworks and tools
  • Strong analytical, facilitation, and report writing skills
  • Experience in low-resource settings (preferably Sub-Saharan Africa)
  • Ability to translate evidence into policy and implementation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel.
Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service

Remarks:  

CANDIDATES SHOULD PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF COMPLETION/EXEMPTION FROM NATIONAL SERVICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT COMPLETION/EXEMPTION OF NATIONAL SERVICE IS A REQUIREMENT.  COPY OF CARD/EXEMPTION MUST BE ATTACHED.  APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THIS REQUIREMENT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.