Consultancy: Planning and budgeting for immunization services - Health Section, PD - NYHQ, Requisition# 510568

- To describe and analyse current best practices for strategic planning and AOP development and implementation. Information should be collected from recent literature and from other health programmes and sectors. - To undertake a comparative landscape analysis of immunization service AOPs in Gavi eligible countries. The analysis should describe which countries make use of AOPs, how AOPs are developed, to what extent budgets are attached to the AOPs, links between the AOPs and the cMYP, and whether and how activities in the AOPs are being monitored. - Use supply-chain as a case study to determine the most optimal planning and budgeting process for immunization expenditures

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Background & Rationale

During 2016-2017 a rapid assessment of the comprehensive multi-year planning (cMYP) process for immunization was completed.^[1] The analysis included 14 country case studies and 12 country desk reviews. Objectives were to understand needs for immunization planning, learn lessons from the last ten years of cMYP experiences, and to identify best practices of developing and using cMYPs. This evaluation found that:

1. There is great diversity between country experiences. While some countries actively use the cMYP in their planning and budgeting processes, others primarily produce the document to comply with Gavi application requirements.
2. The large majority of countries believe that the cMYP process has added value. Most countries had, over time, come to better understand the value of multiyear planning
3. cMYPs are not consistently being linked to annual operational plans (AOP)
4. Influence on resource allocation processes is mixed and generally quite limited
5. There is heavy reliance on technical assistance, both for developing the cMYP document and for completion of the costing tool
6. There is limited stakeholders’ participation in the cMYP process, particularly from NGOs and civil society as well as other programs/departments involved in primary health care.
7. Many plans are aspirational with decreasing relevance when funding gaps become apparent 

Based on the findings of the rapid assessment, UNICEF and partners have developed a Roadmap for addressing needed changes that will lead to improvements in the cMYP process. In particular, four components of the cMYP process have been identified as needing improvements:

1. Streamlining the strategic planning process
2. Increase usability and impact of Annual Operational Plans and budgeting processes
3. Changes to the cMYP costing approach and tool
4. Building national capacity for immunization planning that is well integrated into national health planning and budgeting processes

The present TORs will address the first and second components. A background analysis on best practices for strategic planning will be used to guide recommendation on streamlining the strategic planning process. A landscape analysis on AOPs will be used to guide work on increasing usability and impact of Annual Operational Plans (AOPs) and budgeting processes. AOPs are critical for ensuring that the strategies identified in the cMYP are implemented.  The Rapid Assessment found that AOPs were rarely aligned with the cMYP. However, several countries do develop AOPs for their immunization services and it is unclear why these are not being linked to the cMYP.  

For the vaccine supply chain, countries are facing barriers to consistently procure and fund essential equipment and devices. This includes remote temperature monitoring systems, 30-day-temperature-recorders and freeze tags for transporting freeze sensitive vaccines. At an international workshop on temperature monitoring held in April 2017 in Copenhagen, these barriers were discussed and it was recommended to explore the inclusion of the temperature devices in the strategic planning and funding process of vaccination programs. 

Purpose

The purpose of the work is three-fold:

1. To describe and analyse current best practices for strategic planning and AOP development and implementation. Information should be collected from recent literature and from other health programmes and sectors.
2. To undertake a comparative landscape analysis of immunization service AOPs in Gavi eligible countries. The analysis should describe which countries make use of AOPs, how AOPs are developed, to what extent budgets are attached to the AOPs, links between the AOPs and the cMYP, and whether and how activities in the AOPs are being monitored.
3. Use supply-chain as a case study to determine the most optimal planning and budgeting process for immunization expenditures

Expected results: (measurable results)

The following tasks should be completed:

1. Best practices for strategic planning and AOPs

1. Structured literature review of current recommended approaches to strategic planning and AOPs
2. Scoping review of best practices used for strategic planning and AOPs in other health programmes and in other sectors

2. Landscape analysis of AOPs

1. Analyse Annual Operational Plans (AOPs) in Gavi eligible countries
   1. Assess the consistency between AOP activities and strategies/activities outlined in the cMYP
   2. Compare budgets of the AOPs with the cMYP budget
   3. Compare methods used for developing AOPs across countries
   4. Compare AOP structures across countries  
2. Review methods used by partners for providing technical assistance on development and implementation of AOPs

3. Optimal planning and budgeting for immunization supply chain

1. Produce a list of all temperature monitoring devices that are required/recommended for the different segments (storage, transport) and levels (national, intermediary and peripheral) in a country vaccine supply chain
2. Determine all managerial processes required to support a sustained and functioning supply chain temperature monitoring system, including:

• Timely procurement and deployment of the devices
• Adequate training of users
• Implementation of data sharing, review and feedback to users
• Timely maintenance/replacement/renewal of the devices
• Cold rooms temperature mapping

3. Develop guidance on how to estimate the costs of each managerial process
4. Develop guidance on how temperature monitoring devices should be included in the cMYP, AOPs and in budgeting processes

Duty Station

The consultant will work remotely with UNICEF HQ staff to conduct the agreed activities. The consultant should anticipate and agree to be available for the entire period of the work. The time may be spread out over 10 months.

TRAVEL

The consultant is expected to travel to New York or Nairobi for meetings with the Immunization Team. There is possibility of two trips, each trip an average of five days. Travel cost will be embedded in the contract as agreed by the hiring office.

The consultant will be reimbursed of the travel cost upon submission of receipts and approval from the hiring office, as stipulated in the current UNICEF policy.

Timeframe 

Start date:  30 April 2018                     

End date:    28 February 2019   

Remuneration:

*Payment will be based on the deliverables accomplished, and on the actual number of days worked.

*Can include weekends/holidays, but only with supervisor’s written approval.

**This is an estimated deadline. Deliverables may be ongoing through the entire duration of the contract.

Key competences, technical background, and experience required

Competencies

• Strong analytical, oral & written communication skills
• Proven track record in building and influencing complex multi-stakeholder partnerships
• Self-starter with ability to plan and execute projects in a timely manner
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Demonstrated ability to strategic and conceptual thinking
• Demonstrated skills to understand the challenges related to planning and budgetary processes 

Technical skills and knowledge

• Advanced university degree (Master's) in public health, health economics, public financial management, or related field.
• Fluency in English and excellent writing skills; working knowledge of other languages is an asset.
• Familiarity with WHO-recommended vaccine management practices and supply chain management is an advantage

Work experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience working with public health at national and/or international levels
• Proven experience in strategic negotiations and planning in multi-stakeholder settings
• Proven track record in interfacing with national ministries of health is a distinct advantage
• Experience with cMYP and annual operational plans processes is an asset
• Experience with cMYP costing tool or other costing tools/expenditure planning tools is an asset