International Consultant - Child Health Specialist (Immunization) Tonga

UNICEF Pacific is seeking a qualified and skilled international consultant for Tonga to provide technical guidance and expertise for strengthening routine Immunization, human resource capacity building, vaccine management, immunization supply chain, and embedding the reaching every child approach into the system as the main approach to the introduction of three new vaccines.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

For every child, a hero 

Tonga is a Polynesian Kingdom comprised of over 170 islands, 36 of which are inhabited. The total area of the islands amounts to 747km2, spread over an area of around 700,000 km2 in the Pacific Ocean. Tonga is made up of four main island groups: Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, and Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou. The capital is Nuku’alofa. The total population is estimated at 107,000. Most of Tonga’s population live in rural areas compared to urban areas. The government is the main provider of health services in Tonga and 90% of health services are delivered from four hospitals in the country. The government is the main financer of the health system (47%), with considerable funding also from donors (38%). The immunization service is delivered as a public service, with no services being provided in the private sector. It is estimated that 70% of immunization services are delivered through by fixed site services, 20% by outreach and 10% home to home services. Reported immunization coverage rates varies between 78% to 96% (DTP3), and 80%-91% (BCG).

Disease burden of pneumonia, diarrhea and cervical cancer: A Tongan study in 2017 found an incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (pneumococcal meningitis and sepsis) of 113 per 100,000 in children under the age of two, with a case fatality rate of 25%. Diarrhea is estimated to cause 2% of child deaths under the age of five and it is estimated that RV kills 1.5 per 100,000 children. Unpublished data from Vaiola Hospital shows an incidence of cervical cancer of 11.2 cases per 100,000 women, recorded in 2017. Mortality rate from cervical cancer is approximately 3.9 per 100,000 women, and there are approximately 5 new advanced cervical cancer cases seen each year. Similar to data for other diseases, this data is likely to be underrepresented due to lack of a nation-wide screening program, e.g. pap smear, and awareness amongst women to identify early danger signs for diagnosis, particularly at the sub-national levels.

To reduce disease burden of pneumonia, diarrhoea and cervical cancer the Governments of Tonga recognizes the importance of expanding their immunization programs with the addition of three new vaccines: human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and rotavirus (RV) vaccine and using the introduction of these vaccines to strengthen immunization programs, health systems and regional cooperation. The Asian Development Bank (“ADB”) and UNICEF will provide financial support to the Government of Tonga to reduce the disease burden of three vaccine preventable diseases, cervical cancer, rotavirus and pneumococcal disease, and to strengthen immunization programs through Systems Strengthening for Effective Coverage of New Vaccines.

UNICEF will provide technical assistance to Tonga government to procure vaccines (HPV, PCV, RV and COVID 19) through the Existing VII Agreement. UNICEF will procure and install WHO Performance, Quality and Safety (PQS) pre-qualified cold chain equipment.

UNICEF will build the capacity of the MOH to establish and strengthen the reaching every child approach as part of the introduction of new vaccines and strengthen new vaccine integration into routine immunization services. This will entail microplanning, outreach services, supportive supervision, strengthening production, quality and use of data for decision making, and linking services with communities. As part of this approach effective catch-up campaigns will also be prioritized including the planning of HPV school-based campaigns. UNICEF will provide advisory services upon request to the Government in leveraging existing community structures through partnerships with Ministry of Health and other Ministries, non-government and civil society organizations, community and church leaders and other local community groups on vaccine awareness and in developing vaccine communication material to address vaccine hesitancy concerns improve public health knowledge, attitude and practice for better overall health seeking behavior and vaccine acceptance.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Pacific is seeking a qualified and skilled international consultant for Tonga to provide technical guidance and expertise for strengthening routine Immunization, human resource capacity building, vaccine management, immunization supply chain, and embedding the reaching every child approach into the system as the main approach to the introduction of three new vaccines.

UNICEF recently signed an output agreement with the Ministry of Health in Tonga for procurement and installation of cold chain equipment and the provision of technical services for new vaccines introduction, cold chain maintenance, and immunization programme strengthening. The output agreement follows funding from the ADB to the Government of Tonga to reduce the disease burden of three vaccine preventable diseases, cervical cancer, rotavirus infection and pneumococcal diseases, and to strengthen their immunization programmes through system strengthening for effective coverage of new vaccines.

The deliverables and results from this consultancy will be used by the MoH for the introduction of three new vaccines, to strengthen the routine immunization and to increase the immunization coverage.

The Consultant will guide the MoH on the readiness of the country to introduce new vaccines (PCV, Rota, HPV and COVID-19) and will provide the government with the requisite policy, guideline and job aids following the global standard, and provide overall coordination for UNICEF’s work on new vaccine introduction activities in the two countries. As a result, the MoH will be able to close the gaps for all components of the routine immunization including vaccine management, planning, monitoring, data management.

Scope of Work
The Child Health Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Tonga and other partners including integrated project management team (IPM), to plan and coordinate the implementation of the introduction of three new vaccines. The Consultant will build the capacity/collaborate and oversee with the Government in the lead the following work assignment:

1. Update immunization and cold chain policies, guidelines, training materials and job aids; standard operating procedures to include the new vaccines and meet international best practice.
2. Develop implementation guide for the introduction of the new vaccines
3. Develop training materials and training plan on routine immunization and new vaccines introduction
4. Conduct and facilitate required trainings -train health workers through training/ workshops and on-the-job training in vaccine administration, routine and adverse event reporting, inventory management, preventative maintenance, supportive supervision, and supply chain management;
5. Build the capacity of health workers on health facility level microplanning, procurement forecasting for all vaccines, buffer stock maintenance; and evidence-based planning for routine integrated outreach with an equity focus;
6. Assess the country readiness for the three new vaccines and facilitate the introduction of the three new vaccines
7. Update the child health cards, record keeping forms, reporting templates and cold chain monitoring
8. Provide technical guidance to the MOH to generate robust data through training on data quality self-assessment
9. Develop the HPV campaign plan and an implementation guide for health workers
10. Facilitate and build the capacity of MOH in the preparation of funding request (FACE and ICE)) for the implementation of workplan activities
11. Provide monthly updates on workplan progress
12. Act as UNICEF focal point for VII in Tonga for its expansion of operations to cover the new vaccines
13. Embed reaching every child strategy in the Tonga routine immunization programme.
14. Assist the government in emergency preparedness and response
15. Prepare regular/mandated project reports for MOH and UNICEF and keep them informed of project progress.
16. Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge management and to build capacity of stakeholders.
17. Advise MoH as requested on development and printing of materials for communication strategy addressing vaccine hesitancy and benefits of immunization including aids for community mobilization and engagement with gender considerations and school-based strategy.
18. Participate in HIS coordination guiding the inclusion of new vaccines in HIS reporting.
19. Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor when needed.

Detailed Terms of Reference Attached:  TOR Child Health Specialist (Immunization) Tonga.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) or Post-graduate qualifications in epidemiology and public health, medical science or equivalent

At least 5 years’ experience working in low- or middle-income settings

At least 5 years relevant experience in implementing immunization programme in low- or middle-income settings, new vaccine introduction experience, an advantage

Minimum of 5 years working in child health, working in child health in low- or middle-income settings, an advantage

Familiarity with WHO/UNICEF guidelines in child health and immunization

Experience working in an international development context, particularly PICs, an advantage

Proficiency with relevant Windows-based technology at a high level, especially Microsoft Office

Ability to work independently, under pressure, and within deadlines, including strong planning and coordination skill

High-level communication and cross-cultural skills

Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.