Consultant - Immunization System Strengthening, VUT/VDI/DDC

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1. Background

There have been remarkable achievements in immunization and vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) programme in Vanuatu over the past two decades. The country has been remained polio-free since 2000, achieved MNT elimination and controlled measles outbreak even halted transmission during global, regional and sub-regional widespread outbreaks in 2018-2019.

The routine immunization system and programme have shown improvement and vaccination coverages are also increasing. As per 2020 administrative data, pentavalent 3^rd coverage was 78.32% and only 1 district achieved coverage ≥ 90%. The country has already introduced two new vaccines namely pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and rota vaccine in 2021 and planned to introduce second dose of measles-containing vaccine and human papillomavirus vaccine in 2022. Vaccine-preventable disease surveillance system is also functioning well.

Immunization programme functions are decentralized between the national immunization programme (NIP) and provincial health offices (PHO). Even with limited human resources, the programme is well organized and has been putting efforts toward reaching high vaccination coverage. The country responds timely to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks through adequate investigation, management and immunization activities to close the immunity gaps.

However, EPI review in early 2020 demonstrated that many children are still missed to vaccinate, and late vaccination is also impacting the programme performances. The number of target children to be vaccinated is inaccurate especially at service delivery points and micro-planning is mostly not available or weak. Supportive supervision by national and provincial levels are inadequate too. National policies and guidelines on immunization need to be updated. At the service delivery level, unsafe vaccination practice and sub-standard vaccine management have been observed, mainly due to lack of or insufficient training. EPI review team has provided recommendations that need to be implemented.

COVID-19 pandemic continues as one of the major public health problems. It affected health, social, economic and humanity. The country had started COVID-19 vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine on 2 June 2021. It had successfully received a total of 450,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from THREE sources and 249,274 doses were administered as of 17 October 2022. 90% HCWs were fully vaccinated, 96% and 90 % elderly received first and second dose respectively in the same period of time. However, vaccination coverage for the first dose and second dose among the entire population is 48% and 44% respectively as of 17 October 2022.

In regard to above, WHO will provide strategic and technical support to NIP and MOH in strengthening routine immunization and VPD surveillance system and programme, coordination with partners, implement recommended activities of 2020 EPI review and monitoring the activities. At the same time, WHO will continue to support securing COVID-19 vaccine doses and vaccination implementation including monitoring.

2. Purpose/specific objective of the activity

The WHO Country Liaison Office, Vanuatu is seeking technical assistance to support the National Immunization Programme (NIP) of the Ministry of Health with the following objectives:

• To strengthen the routine immunization systems by planning, preparing, implementing and monitoring some identified immunization activities;

• To reduce inequities of immunization coverage with special focus by reaching the unreached children;

• To strengthen the VPD and adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance systems including improving detection and reporting of VPDs and AEFI cases; and

• To support COVID-19 vaccination implementation and monitoring.

• To contribute to the development of the National Immunization Strategy (NIS) aligned to the Regional Strategic Framework.

3. Planned timelines

14 April 28 February 2023 (11 months)

4. Description of activities to be carried out

Output 1:

Strengthened routine immunization system and programme toward reaching the unreached and increasing vaccination coverage for all the antigens of national schedule.

Deliverables:

1. Review, plan, prepare and develop appropriate micro-plan for service delivery points with especial focus on reaching the
   unreached children; develop district micro-plan/work plan; appropriate use of data monitoring charts.
2. Plan, prepare, implement other targeted immunization activities including building human resource capacity as per 2020
   EPI review recommendations.
3. Data management and monitor immunization activities at national and sub-national levels.
4. Contribute towards the development of the national immunization strategies (NIS) with other partners (UNICEF).

Output 2:

1. Strengthened VPDs and AEFI surveillance system including its quality and increased detection and reporting VPDs and AEFI cases.

Deliverables:

1. Plan, prepare and facilitate VPD and AEFI surveillance training activities.
2. Facilitate and participate in VPD outbreak and AEFI case investigation and responses.
3. Data management and monitor VPD surveillance performances at national and sub-national levels

Output 3:

1. Prepare and submit mission report.

Deliverables:

1. Prepare mission report and submit to WHO Country Liaison Office (by end of mission).

5. Methods to carry out the activity

A consultant will be based in Port Vila, Vanuatu and work under the overall guidance of the Country Liaison Officer. She/he will be working and in collaboration with Ministry of Health and National Immunization Programme for planning, preparing, implementing and monitoring of above-mentioned activities including frequent visit to sub-national levels

6. Qualifications and experience

EDUCATION

Essential: Postgraduate degree in public health from a recognized university and/or training/s in public health at postgraduate degree level or its equivalent

Desirable: Training in EPI

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least five years of relevant experience and/or experiences in the field of immunization programmes at the country level is essential.

Desirable: Working experiences in WHO or UNICEF country office

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Sound knowledge in the planning, preparation, implementation and monitoring of various activities in immunization and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance programme.
Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.

COMPETENCIES

1. Producing results.
2. Fostering integration and teamwork.
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way
4. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference

7. Place of Assignment

Travel to Port Vila, Vanuatu is required.

8. Medical clearance

The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

9. Travel

Frequent visits to subnational levels.

Additional Information

• 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.
• 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.
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• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
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• 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.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.