Consultant (Expanded Programmes on Immunization)

Purpose of the Consultancy

Provide technical assistance to the Federal and Provincial Expanded Programmes on Immunization for attaining the set targets for equitable immunization coverage against the vaccine preventable diseases.

Background

Immunization is one of the most fundamental competencies of public health programs. Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Pakistan was initiated in 1979-80 with the ultimate objectives of reduction in morbidity and mortality caused by Vaccine preventable diseases. Priority interventions include\: capacity building in all EPI domains, enhancing community participation, effective vaccine & logistics management, quality service delivery, case-based surveillance, ensuring sufficient & sustainable funding, and strengthening immunization partnerships.

Pakistan’s immunization indicators are yet to reach the expected benchmark. The key goals of Polio Eradication, Measles and Neonatal Tetanus elimination could not be achieved (only Punjab province has achieved neonatal tetanus elimination). There is gross diversity among provinces. Based on PDHS 2017-18, Punjab, with 79.9 percent in 2017-18 had the highest percentage of fully vaccinated children, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (54.7%), Sindh (48.8%) percent and the lowest was Baluchistan with 28.8%.

Comprehensive Multi Year Plans (cMYPs)\: immunization specific 5-year plans (2014-18), detailing the targets of the immunization program and the strategies by which these targets will be achieved were developed for the provinces and Federal EPI. In 2018 the Federal cMYP was extended for two years till 2020. Federal EPI is planning to develop a National Strategic document for EPI for 5 years (2020 – 2025) that covers all the programmatic areas and will serve as the basis for the development of PC-1s by the Federal and Provincial Government. A detailed exercise to develop strategic document for the next five years would be undertaken in 2019, as agreed upon by partners, which will help the program to develop the new PC-1s and in collaboration with Federal and Provincial Governments, development Partners (WHO and UNICEF), other line departments and civil society involved in immunization.

For this purpose, an international consultant will be hired to support Federal EPI and work in close coordination with provincial programs and partners to strengthen the EPI

Objectives

The main objective of the consultancy is to provide strategic direction to Federal and Provincial EPI programs for attaining the set targets for equitable immunization coverage against the vaccine preventable diseases.

Planned timeline (subject to confirmation)

Start date\:1/12/2019

End date\: 30/6/2020

The consultant will be assigned to carry out the following tasks and provide the following deliverables\:

Output 1\: Provide technical guidance to the Federal and Provincial EPI Programmes towards achieving the set immunization targets, including health systems development and progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

Deliverables\:

1.1\: Strategic and M&E Framework 2020-2025

1.2\: National EPI policy revised

Output 2\:Assess the immunization system at all levels especially at the point of service deliver and district level.

Deliverables\:

2.1\: immunization service Gap analysis document

2.2\: Improve involvement of LHW in vaccination process

Output 3\: Build capacity of the national, provincial and district managers and frontline workers in order to enable them developing multi-year plan, annual plans and microplans in order to improve the routine immunization coverage, EPI data quality and surveillance and use of those data.

Deliverables\:

3.1\: multiyear plans or strategic planning documents at national and provincial level developed.

3.1\: Quality annual plans and microplans are developed at all levels.

3.2\: Routine immunization coverage improved

3.3\: EPI data quality improved.

Output 4\: strengthen and regularize the Public-Private partnership

Deliverables\:

4.1\: Protocol for engaging private sector in immunization

Required qualification

Education

-Master’s degree in Public Health or any relevant field.

Experience\:

-At least 7 years of experience in public health including experience in EPI.

-Experience in EPI and development of policies and strategic documents.

-Relevant experience in WHO, UN or other international organizations is desirable

Skills / knowledge\:

·Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications

·Knowledge of the current health system, with good understanding of the country needs, priorities and policies

·Ability to provide technical advice and design and undergo assessment, and formulation of policy options and recommendations.

·Good interpersonal skills, team working, time management and coaching of others

Language\:

·Expert knowledge of English

Place of assignment

·Pakistan, multiple location

Travel

(If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required). The Consultant maybe expected to travel, itinerary will be discussed and agreed with the consultant.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

The remuneration level will be determined based on professional profile and number of years of relevant work experience of the selected candidate.

Additional Information section\:

•This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

•Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

•Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available.

•Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO

•A written test may be used as a form of screening.

•If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

•For information on WHO's operations please visit\: http\://www.who.int.

•WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

•WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

•Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

•WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

•Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.

•WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.