Polio SIAs Consultant

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF THE FUNCTION

South Sudan has made remarkable progress in the polio eradication program by implementing PEI strategies since Independence; however, since the conflict started in 2013 it has become a challenge to run an effective surveillance and immunization activities due to security and logistics challenges. As a result the immunization which is one of the main strategies in polio eradication showed a declined trend including AFP surveillance at the sub-national level.

The country documented the last wild poliovirus (WPV) endemic circulation in 2009 with the last circulating vaccine cVDPV2 outbreak in 2014. The acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system is functional and maintains standard performance indicators supported by complimentary activities such as environmental surveillance and an AVADAR system; however the country remains one of the few countries in the African region yet to have its documents accepted for polio-free documentation by the African Regional Certification Committee.

WHO supports the MOH to implement 3-4 polio campaign in a year in order to improve herd immunity and also uses that opportunity to conduct active case search. It is important that these campaigns are of the highest quality to achieve its intended goals.

The main purpose of the consultancy is to improve the quality of Polio Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs), other activities will include supporting the routine immunization system and strengthening AFP surveillance and that of VPDs. He/She will also participate in preparedness and response for any VPD outbreak as per WHO guidelines. The consultant will ensure quality campaigns and implementation of other PEI strategies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the WHO Polio Team lead and guidance of the Cluster lead the consultant will provide technical assistance to the MoH, in conducting 3-4 rounds of NIDs in 2020, and also a mop-up in response to polio events. The consultant will support RI activities that include the PIRI, micro plan development, etc. in order to attain the set targets for equitable immunization coverage against the vaccine preventable diseases under the EPI FP directives.

The consultant will support Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) surveillance needs and improvement especially in terms of integrating AFP surveillance into VPDs and eventually IDSR and improve real-time base reporting.

1. Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) Deliverables\:

• Quality NIDs micro plans are developed, validated and utilized at all levels
• Develop and utilize checklists and dashboards to track campaign plans.
• Develop and operationalize the central level SIA supervision plan
• Organize orientation training of national supervisors and LQAS surveyors.
• Coordinates and monitors State level SIA Facilitators activities.
• Work in coordination with WCO Operation Officer, Logistic unit and UNICEF for timely distribution of vaccine, data tools, funds and logistics to states and counties during SIAs.
• Monitor the implementation of the campaign on a daily basis and provide feedback to MOH and partners at the National level.
• Coordinate the update of the country’s polio SIA guidelines.
• Work with partners to ensure the Post Campaign Evaluationis done using set guidelines
• Ensure information of participants is collated and submitted to the finance team for payment via DDM and other mechanisms in place.
• Compile administrative data by state/county and submit the final report of the campaign by round with 3 weeks after campaign completed.

2. AFP Surveillance activities and other VPDS deliverables\:

• Undertake regular field visits to assess and evaluate the implementation rate of surveillance activities, identify gaps and recommend corrective actions based on key performance indicators. It is expected that the visits should be monthly except during the pre and implementation months of the Polio campaigns.
• Support in the review meetings and training program of Field supervisors, Field assistants, community informants and health workers in strengthening active surveillance at the community level.
• Contribute on Polio certification document especially the SIA component.
• Identify the high-risk areas for VPDs outbreaks and forecast the outbreak especially by monitoring the susceptible and design and implement preventive measures to abort any potential outbreak with the VPD officer.
• Support the integration between VPDs surveillance and other systems like AFP and integrated disease surveillance.
• Design other activities to enhance Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance; including rapid surveillance assessments, development of action plans to improve surveillance, evaluation of the impact of these plans, and training/orientation of national and sub-national staff, along with innovative mechanisms such as emobile technology, etc.

3. Routine Immunization activities

• Support the country in improving routine immunization coverage
• Develop and manage approaches that can achieve polio eradication while contributing to strengthening routine immunization systems.

4. Perform any other duty as assigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: – First University Degree in public health, management or public administration or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable\: - Medical Degree and/or Masters in public health, management or public administration or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Experience

Essential\: -

• At least 5 years of professional work experience at national and international levels in polio campaigns routine immunization, and vaccines preventable diseases and surveillance programs activities.

• Experience in countries with special needs (Affected by Conflicts and Wars).

Desirable\: -

• Experience on the development of SIAs guidelines, SIAs monitoring tools.

• Experience in development of Post SIAs coverage survey protocol & it’s Implementation
• Experienced in planning and facilitating of training at national, state and county level.

Use of language skills

Essential\: - Excellent knowledge of English

Desirable\: - Working knowledge of Arabic will be an asset

Specific skills required\:

• Ability to work closely with national and international actors with tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships with both national and field staff.
• Good computer skills including utilizing spreadsheets and database to monitor key campaign indicators.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Remuneration – this is a P3 Level consultancy with a monthly remuneration of $7,000 and Daily Subsistence Allowance of $128, reduced by half after the first 30 days.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• 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 - https\://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values

• 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.