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Consultancy - Support implementation and scale up of Reaching Every District/Reaching Every Child/Community strategy in 40 poor performing districts (Ugandan Nationals only- 8 Months).

Kampala

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Kampala
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Social Affairs
    • Architecture, Building and Property Management
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
    • Civil Society and Local governance
  • Closing Date: Closed

UNICEF is seeking to recruit 4 consultants to support MoH/UNEPI and selected poorly performing districts address key bottlenecks of underperformance in the immunization indicators and failure to achieve the Global vaccine actions plan (GVAP) indicators of 90% coverage for national and 80% at the district level. The 40 poorly performing districts include Adjumani, Alebtong, Apac, Buliisa, Hoima, Kitgum, Kole, Lira, Moyo, Nakasongola, Yumbe, Abim, Amudat, Bukedea, Bulambuli, Busia, Kapchorwa, Kibuku, Kumi, Nakapiripirit, Buhweju, Bukomasimbi, Bushenyi, Buvuma, Iganga, Kabale, Rubanda, Kalungu, Kamwenge, Kisoro, Kyenjojo, Lyantonde, Mayuge, Mbarara, Mukono, Ntungamo, Rakai, Rubirizi, Sheema and Wakiso.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a fair chance

Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path. Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

 Visit this link for more information on Uganda Country Office https://www.unicef.org/uganda/

Background

Ministry of Health administrative data suggests that Uganda performed fairly well over 2014, 2015 and 2016, achieving the national target of 90% coverage for the key antigens (BCG, OPV3, DPT3 & MCV1). However, only 64 out of 112 districts achieved 80% and above coverage. A significant number of districts report immunization coverage below 80%. The equity-focussed analysis of routine data for 2016 suggests that 47 (42%) of the districts were in category 1, 33 (30%) - in category 2, 20 (18%) - in category 3 and 12 (11%) - in category 4. Districts in category 4 included Arua, Budaka, Buikwe, Bukedea, Bukomasimbi, Bullisa, Iganga, and Kalungu.

The Ministry of Health Expanded Programme on Immunization aims to strengthen routine immunization and develops differentiated, equity-focused strategies to support poorly performing districts. In 2016, UNICEF used Gavi PEF support to the Government of Uganda at both national and district levels to conduct Equity Assessment and support the implementation of RED/REC strategy in 40 poorly performing districts.

Continued efforts are required in 2017 to sustain gains in poorly performing districts, including in areas of supervision, mentorship and couching of health workers in immunization, cold chain management and overall training of Health Unit Management Committees and VHTs to link communities to health facilities, and to monitor utilization of immunization and overall health interventions.  

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is seeking to recruit 4 consultants to support MoH/UNEPI and selected poorly performing districts address key bottlenecks of underperformance in the immunization indicators and failure to achieve the Global vaccine actions plan (GVAP) indicators of 90% coverage for national and 80% at the district level. The 40 poorly performing districts include Adjumani, Alebtong, Apac, Buliisa, Hoima, Kitgum, Kole, Lira, Moyo, Nakasongola, Yumbe, Abim, Amudat, Bukedea, Bulambuli, Busia, Kapchorwa, Kibuku, Kumi, Nakapiripirit, Buhweju, Bukomasimbi, Bushenyi, Buvuma, Iganga, Kabale, Rubanda, Kalungu, Kamwenge, Kisoro, Kyenjojo, Lyantonde, Mayuge, Mbarara, Mukono, Ntungamo, Rakai, Rubirizi, Sheema and Wakiso.

Specifically, the consultant will be expected to;  

  • Review background documents and develop a detailed work plan to support selected districts with the implementation of RED/REC approach.
  • Review and adapt as necessary the planning, costing, monitoring and mentorship tools for the assignment.
  • Support districts update their Health Facility and community EPI+/MNCH micro plans with interventions that addresses under performance and coverage especially identified high risk communities. Ensure the finalization of micro plans with costing and financial gap analysis prior to the implementation of the Integrated Child Health Days + activities.
  • Support costing of the district/HF micro plans and analyse the gaps for 2017/2018 fiscal year to ensure their implementation
  • Using annual district costs and financial gap analysis, advocate and support the integration of REC/RED micro plans and budgets into the 2018/2019 district development plans. In consultation with UNICEF zone office staff, organize targeted meetings with DHOs/DHTs in selected underperforming districts to share the costing and financial gap analysis and to advocate for integration of REC micro plans into the District Development Plan and the 2018/2019 fiscal year
  • Mentor health workers through supportive monitoring and supervision of routine immunization planned activities (static and outreaches) including; key cold chain practices such temperature monitoring and reviews, vaccine utilization monitoring and minor Maintenance/repairs. 
  • Regular analysis of the supportive supervision data in order to get deep insights into the immunization bottlenecks and formulate strategies for reaching the fifth child.
  • Support DHTs to revitalize Health Unit Management Committees (HUMCs) using the standard guidelines provided by MOH and orient them on their roles and monitoring of EPI activities.
  • Hold review meetings with DHTs and health facility in charges on data collection, use and reporting.  
  • Support districts to Micro plan and implement integrated Child Health Days (ICHDs)
  • Document lesson learnt, challenges and recommendations on RED/REC implementation process in allocated districts and two human interest stories.  
  •  

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

  • A university degree in Public Health or Diploma in Nursing, Degree in Logistics management with relevant work experience, particularly in the planning, implementation and monitoring in EPI service delivery and EPI logistics;
  • A minimum of 2 years’ experience in Immunization planning and implementation
  • Excellent planning and monitoring and evaluation skills and ability to plan and oversee projects.
  • Expertise in working with communities and developing and disseminating information and messages
  • Proven working relations with district & sub-district structures
  • Knowledge of Reaching Every District/every child (RED/REC) strategy
  • Good analytic skills and report writing skill
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.
  • Good interpersonal and negotiation skills

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

This vacancy is now closed.
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