Recruitment of a national consultant for capacity building in vaccine and cold chain management at the regional level and health sectors in Djibouti At United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Recruitment of a national consultant for capacity building in vaccine and cold chain management at the regional level and health sectors in Djibouti   Recruitment of a national consultant.docx

1. Context:

Djibouti is one of the countries in the Horn of Africa, with a very small area (23,200 square kilometers), and a small population (barely 1 million inhabitants). It is subdivided into six regions including 5 rural and the city of Djibouti. The latter alone is home to almost two thirds of the total population. Over the past ten years, Djibouti has seen its economic performance improve. Its gross domestic product (GDP) per capita increased by 7.2% between 2015 and 2020 (currently USD 3,363 per capita per year). But this growth has not translated into a very visible reduction in poverty. The country remains lagging behind on several human development indicators. Although classified as middle-income countries, high rates of inequality persist. 

Health service coverage has improved but progress is relatively slow and incomplete, and regional differences remain significant. The onset of COVID further slowed the progress made before 2020. The proportion of children aged 12 to 23 months who received the third dose of the pentavalent vaccine decreased by more than 10%, and is currently 68, 1% nationally; however, it varies by region, ranging from 54.4% in Art to 73.3% in Tadjourah. 

Several partners are currently committed to supporting the country to improve the coverage of health services in general and vaccination in particular. The World Bank has just signed a five-year project aimed at improving access to health services for the most vulnerable people, including women and children; the global fund awarded a new grant to fight the three main killer diseases; and GAVI alliance renewed its funding for health system strengthening for the next three years.

2. Justification

Concerning the GAVI subsidy, Djibouti has been in the accelerated transition phase towards self-financing the purchase of vaccines since last year. Currently vaccines for the expanded vaccination program are co-financed by the government, Unicef ​​and GAVI. These three sources of funding should ensure the availability of vaccines. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see stock shortages of vaccines in some vaccination sites, either due to a delay in supplies, a malfunction of the distribution service, or a loss of vaccines due to expiration or poor conservation (breakage of the cold chain). 

These vaccine management problems significantly slow down the improvement in vaccination coverage. They are mainly linked to the weak capacities of the human resources who are responsible for managing vaccines; but also caused by the poor quality of vaccine management infrastructure and equipment. This funding plans to provide assistance in improving the demand and supply of vaccination services. This financing also provides for investments to improve infrastructure, equipment, the introduction of new vaccines and their acquisitions, a series of technical assistance to the Expanded Immunization Program

It is in this context that UNICEF intends to recruit, with GAVI – PEF TCA funding, an international consultant and two national consultants to strengthen the technical capacities of vaccine managers and all service providers involved in the supply chain. supply of vaccines, from acquisition to administration

The international consultant will be based at the central level and will technically supervise the two national consultants based at the regional level:  These terms of reference concern the recruitment of the two national consultants.

3. Objective :

Generally speaking, this mission aims to contribute to efforts to improve vaccination coverage through improving the provision of vaccination services.

Specifically, this mission aims to support health structures and the five regional teams in vaccine management for better availability of vaccines in Djibouti.

4. Expected results :
5. Strengthen the capacities of vaccine management teams at the regional level as well as in health structures.
6. Implement appropriate tools for effective management of vaccines and other vaccination consumables at the regional level and in health structures.
7. Make the distribution chain of vaccines and other vaccination consumables functional up to the last km.
8.  Deliverables:

Each consultant will be responsible for supporting two regions. 

Each month, each national consultant will produce a monthly technical support report that they have provided to the two regions . This report must have as an annex one or more specific deliverables for the month:

1. A plan and/or report for the procurement and distribution of vaccines and vaccination consumables. 
2. A capacity building plan and/or report (training, supervision, meeting).
3. An updated database of cold chain equipment.
4. A logistics service functionality and performance dashboard.
5. Consultant tasks:

The consultant will be responsible for:

1. Prepare guidance for holding meetings and support the organization of meetings of vaccine management services at the regional EPI warehouse;
2. Develop the vaccine distribution plan and organize the monthly distribution of vaccines and other vaccination consumables in regional health structures;
3. Strengthen the technical capacities of logisticians and agents involved in the supply chain at all levels; 
4. Support the implementation and evaluation of the budgeted cold chain strengthening program (Effective Cold Chain Management Plan).
5. Establish a mechanism for real-time monitoring of stocks and storage temperatures at the regional level and in health structures
6. Support the establishment and optimal functioning of a vaccine management database at the regional level.
7. Contribute to the development of an adapted procedure manual defining the responsibilities and roles of all stakeholders in vaccine management: (i) during reception, storage, distribution, transport, use, collection and destruction of waste; (ii) when filling out the logistics tools made available to users for each logistics operation;
8. Support the production of a regular inventory of stocks and cold chain equipment.
9. Support the strengthening and revitalization of coordination meetings at regional level and monthly monitoring meetings at health structure level
10. Support the development of annual forecasts of vaccines and other vaccination consumables based on targets to be vaccinated and stocks available at the operational level
11. Conduct an update of the assessment of storage and transport capacities at the regional level and health structures;
12. Support the popularization of Standard Operating Procedures for the treatment of medical waste and organize the collection and destruction of waste
13. Methodology :

National consultants are recruited as technical assistants who will work in tandem and under the technical supervision of the international consultant in charge of cold chain management. As technical assistants, they will be based within the regional teams in charge of vaccination and based in the CMHs. One of the consultants will be based at CMH Tadjourah and will support the Tadjourah and Obock teams; and the other will be based in Ali-Sabieh and will accompany the Ali-Sabieh and Dikhil teams.

They are recruited for a mission with an initial duration of six months. Upon their recruitment, they will be briefed on their mission by the international consultant who will supervise them. They will work within regional EPI teams – Focal Points

They will be supervised by the international consultant and will be responsible for strengthening the capacities of regional focal points, regional management teams and care providers in health structures. They will provide support to healthcare providers in the logistical organization of vaccination sessions. They will hold monthly coordination meetings with all stakeholders and bimonthly follow-up meetings with the international consultant.

The bimonthly meetings of these consultants will make it possible to capitalize on good practices, learn from failures to improve support techniques and thus contribute to strengthening vaccine management.

How can you tell the difference:

6. Activities & deliverables:
7. Strengthen the capacities of vaccine management teams at the regional level as well as in health structures.

Deliverable 1:

Status report at the end of the first month specifying needs – a capacity building plan for management teams and care providers

Capacity building report and meeting report – A distribution and supervision plan

2. Implement appropriate tools for effective management of vaccines and other vaccination consumables at the regional level and in health structures.

Deliverable 2:

Logistics Data Analytics Report: A Logistics Indicator Dashboard Comments

Cold chain equipment inventory report – Statement of needs (equipment and maintenance)

3. Make the last mile distribution chain for vaccines and other vaccination consumables functional

Deliverable 3:

Supervision report with equipment inventory and procedures manual defining roles and responsibilities. Final mission evaluation report – recommendations .

7. Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• At least five years of professional experience managing immunization programs. Experience working with GAVI and/or other donors of routine immunization activities would be an asset;
• Experience in supervising health service delivery teams;
• Experience in organizing vaccination activities, in vaccine management);
• Proven ability to work independently and provide quality deliverables on time;
• Excellent command of written and spoken French.

8. Minimum Qualifications required :

Enter Disciplines

University degree at the level of a master’s degree in public health medicine or health sciences, in logistics management, management of health services, vaccinology.

9. Duration of the mission

The overall duration of the mission will be three months with 132 working days worked.

10. Remuneration

Remuneration will be in accordance with the provisions of the consultancy contract which will bind UNICEF to the consultant for the period of the contract. Candidates for consultancy are invited to make a financial proposal for this work. The financial offer will cover the following expenses 

• The fees
• Vehicle rental costs for travel to regions for workshops and interviews (The total amount will depend on the number of actual days in the field)
• All other costs will be the responsibility of the consultant, in particular visa and vaccinations. The consultant must provide proof of his medical coverage covering him during the mission

11. Payment terms

Remuneration will be made in accordance with the provisions of the consultancy contract which will bind the UNICEF Djibouti Child Survival and Development program to the consultant for the period of the contract. The consultant will be paid upon submission of invoices relating to the various deliverables, subject to validation by the consultation supervisor.

Fees will be negotiated with the consultant according to their level of experience. They will be paid in five installments on a deliverable basis.

12. Submission process (for individual consultants only)

Interested candidates should apply directly on the UNICEF website   https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/listing/   including the following documents:

• An up-to-date CV and cover letter
• The technical and financial proposal indicating the dates of availability
• Examples or certificates of similar services rendered

Each submission must include the daily rate of fees as well as other costs in accordance with section 11. 

13. Selection and evaluation process:

Interested candidates will each submit, and only by email, two separate proposals: One technical and one financial:

The structure of the technical proposal must include the following chapters:

• An introduction aimed at demonstrating knowledge of the supply system in general, and the Djiboutian context in particular;
• A note on the understanding of the mission, specifying based on experience, the key achievable results and the working hypotheses;
• A methodological proposal proposing strategic approaches, key players, main activities, and a timeline;
• Appendices including a brief presentation of the candidate, a P11 form or a complete CV with the names of three reference people,

The financial offer must include the following lines:

• The header: full name of the consultant, title of the mission, duration
• Fees (specifying the daily rate)
• Vehicle rental costs for travel to the regions for workshops and interviews.
• Communication costs

Submitted proposals will be evaluated on a score of 100 points with a maximum of 70 points allocated to the technical proposal and 30 points allocated to the financial proposal.

Only the financial offers of candidates whose technical offers have reached a minimum of 50 points will be retained for the financial evaluation.

The contract will be awarded to the technical offer which receives the best rating and which is the lowest bidder.

To qualify as an Every Child Champion, you must have:

The candidate must provide examples of their writings, research, articles in French/English on the subjects covered by this position, as well as other visual supports (videographs/ppt among others).

For each child, you must demonstrate: 

UNICEF values ​​of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies of Communication, Working with People and Driving Results.

The technical skills required for this position are: 

Establish and maintain partnerships, Cultivate self-awareness and demonstrate a sense of ethics, Strive to obtain tangible results, Innovate and embrace change, Manage ambiguity and complexity, Think and act strategically, Work collaboratively, Description of levels, Support, direct and supervise staff

UNICEF promotes diversity and inclusion among its staff and encourages qualified candidates, men and women of all nationalities, religions and ethnic origins, including people with disabilities, to apply for membership in the Organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy for behavior inconsistent with the goals 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 protection principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous references and background checks. The background check will include verification of academic credentials and employment history. Selected applicants may be required to provide additional information to complete a background check.

Notes:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advanced 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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

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