International Consultancy: Technical Specialist, Vaccine Logistic Information Management System

The purpose of the assignment is development of layout of electronic vaccine management information system with the list of key functions and requirements for future tender documentation.

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Background:

Uzbekistan has been eligible for Global Alliance on Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) funding since 2000 and received both vaccines/injection supplies and vaccine introduction grants from GAVI. Currently GAVI supports introduction of new vaccines to the National Immunization calendar such as Hib containing pentavalent (2009-2015), rotavirus (2014-2015), Inactivated Polio Vaccine, Pneumococcal (2015 - 2018) and Human Papilloma Cervix (starting from 2017 ongoing) vaccines.

Starting January 2014, Uzbekistan has entered the accelerated transition phase from GAVI support to independent and sustainable vaccine procurement. The GAVI co-financing obligations are projected to increase from $4.7m in 2016 to $ 20m in 2021 as part of Health System Strengthening (HSS) grant.

Taking this into consideration the Ministry of Health with support of UNICEF and WHO began implementation of the project on substantial cold chain improvement – Health System Strengthening (HSS). The project not only includes construction and renovation of cold chain facilities across the country and installation of modern equipment and devices, but also establishing modern electronic data base for vaccine stock inventory at the national, regional and district levels.

Such upgrade of cold chain system requires development and introduction of a comprehensive, precise and professional quality monitoring system – Vaccine Management Information System (VMIS). The VMIS will connect all cold chain stores located at different levels into one network for constant consolidation and analysis of up-to-date information on vaccines stock, its movement and consumption, and possible re-fill.

In addition to that, Uzmedinfo – MOH department responsible for IT technology in health system, introduced new e-registration system for outreach clinics which might include information on vaccination. In this regard, this consultancy will be an opportunity to bring all previous experiences and new initiatives into one comprehensive electronic data management system.

Purpose:

The purpose of the assignment is development of layout of electronic vaccine management information system with the list of key functions and requirements for future tender documentation.

 Main objectives:

• To analyse the current reporting system in immunization, supply chain structure
• To develop layout of electronic vaccine management information system with the list of functions and requirements
• To present developed layout to the key stakeholders
• To elaborate recommendations for development of tender documentation for further procurement of VMIS software and its certification/licensing

Timeline & Deliverables:

• Start day of the assignment: February, 2018
• End day of the assignment:  May, 2018
• The selected consultant will be hired for four months’ period with 37 working days.

The following deliverables should be prepared and submitted to the office during and after completion of the assignment:

Tasks

1. Preparation of initial analysis of current reporting system in immunization and supply chain structure through desk review and interviews/meetings in situ. Situation analysis should have an information about existing resources on in-country and should be based on information collected through the following:
   • Individual and group meetings with the National EPI focal point, planning and economy department of the Ministry of Health;
   • Individual and group meetings with the representatives of Republican Sanitary Epidemiologic Surveillance Center responsible for vaccine arrival, storage, transportation, distribution and monitoring;
   • Meeting with UNICEF team;
   • Meeting and work with UzmedInfo (IT/technology department under the Ministry of Health)
   • Travel to three regions for visiting existing cold chain facilities and meeting with EPI regional focal points and Stock managers
2. Development of the list of options for functional requirements for VMIS based on current observations and existing resources in the country considering planned optimization and modernization of cold chain under GAVI HSS/CCEOP.
3. Presentation of main findings and key recommendations to the key national stakeholders for collecting feedbacks and reaching mutual agreement, and promoting this component to the joint group of key partners working in immunization area.
4. Finalization of report by adding comments and feedback received during presentation and including tender specification for selecting in-country IT supplier for development of electronic software.

Deliverables

1. Report with key findings about main requirements from national partners, specificity of existing and upgrading cold chain equipment, capacity including human resources
2. Report with key findings about possible modifications of software, certification or licensing requirements, security and technical requirements, capacity and features. Some of the findings to be drafted as recommendations
3. Draft report with key findings and main recommendations is ready for presentation
4. Final report with key findings and main recommendations with attachments on information gathered during assignment and feedbacks/comments concluded during presentation is ready

Duration

1. 15 days (including travel to three pilot regions)
2. 10 days
3. 7 days
4. 5 days

Payment: No payment at this stage

Management:

The Consultant will work under direct supervision of Child Health and Wellbeing Programme Chief and in close collaboration with UNICEF SD, Immunization Officer and IT Specialist as well as with identified national partners.

Resource requirements:

The complexity of the tasks corresponds to the UNICEF P4 level. Calculation of consultancy fee was based on the complexity of work, the level of expertise and the Administrative Instruction (ST/AI/2013/4) on Consultants and individual contractors.

The final decision on selection of the consultant will be set up based on the “best value for money” principle. Payment will be done on a lump sum basis and upon presentation of key deliverables as stipulated in the TOR. Payments might be partially or fully withheld in case of unsatisfactory performance of duties or failure to provide the deliverables by the agreed deadlines.

Required qualifications and areas of expertise:

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Information Systems, Supply Chain Management or another relevant discipline.
• Minimum six years of relevant work experience in the field of IT technology and telecommunication in Supply Chain management and in healthcare.
• Minimum three years of work experience in developing, revising and promoting Supply Chain Management;
• Fluent in spoken and written English (will be assessed through interview and/or reports assessment)
• Knowledge of Russian will be an asset (will be assessed through interview and/or reports assessment);
• Familiarity and previous experience of working in CEE/CIS will be an asset

Procedures and Working Conditions:    

Consultant is expected to work both off-site and on-site including one week of country visit. The applicant shall be required to submit a statement of good health prior to commencement of work and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. Consultants are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Travel expenses will be paid according to UNICEF rules and regulations.

UNICEF undertakes no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract.

Reservations:

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) incomplete, not finalized or for failure to meet deadlines. UNICEF will reserve copy right of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. The contractor must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

The technical competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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