International Immunization Consultant, Abuja - For Non-Nigerians only

To provide technical support to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on effective and efficient introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, monitoring and coordination at the national and sub national levels.

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.

To provide technical support to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on effective and efficient introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, monitoring and coordination at the national and sub national levels.

Scope of Work:

More specifically, the consultant will carry out the followings but not limited to:

a). Provide technical support to NPHCDA on the coordination of COVID-19 vaccine introduction in the pre-introduction, introduction and post -introduction activities.

b) Provide secretariat service support to the TWG in the introduction of covid-19 vaccine.

c) Support the preparation of guides, tools and protocols and ensure the tools are developed, printed and distributed to the states.

d) Prepare regular update on covid-19 vaccine introduction and submit to the immunization cluster and health section.     e) Support NPHCDA to track Covid-19 vaccine distribution from the national store down to the service points to avoid risk of diversion, falsification and ensure the security and safety of the vaccine storage facilities, preserve vaccine safety and integrity during transport, and the safety of all staff.

f) Support in coordinating the vaccine deployment plan and standard operating procedures (SOPs) communicated to all levels;

g) Support NPHCDA in the registration of the target population, development of the micro plan in all states and mobilization of the target population for immunization.

h) Supervise the two-immunization supply chain and two advocacy, communication and social mobilization officers in the coordination for the introduction of covid vaccine. 

i) Coordinate the subnational level UNICEF support in the introduction of covid vaccines including use of the polio structure at all levels.

j) Use every opportunity to strengthen the public health system including integration of primary health care services.

Minimum Qualifications required:

Master’s in Public health, medicine, pharmacy, nursing or other related disciplines with 5 years of experience.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

a.           Specific Technical Knowledge required (for the job)

Knowledge of the public health system preferably in a developing country context.

Mastery of technical knowledge of the primary health care and immunization program in coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation.

b)  Common Technical Knowledge required (for the job group)

-             Knowledge of managing supplemental and routine immunization in the African context.

-             Knowledge of management of health emergencies in African context.

-             Knowledge of coordination of stakeholders for the purpose of introduction of the covid vaccines.

-             Proficient in MS Office bundle and knowledge in the use of DHIS2 is an added advantage.

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

-             Information and Communication Technology administration.

-             UNICEF emergency programme and operations policies, strategies, procedures and approaches.

-             Rights-based and Results-based management and programming approach in UNICEF.

-             Mid-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP); Country Programme Management Plan (CPMP).

-             International Code of Conduct

-             UN and UNICEF policies and approaches on program management involved in harmonization of operations in the common system.

-             UN and UNICEF security operations and guidelines.

Government regulations and laws in the locality (e.g., customs clearance, VAT and other taxation systems).

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.

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.