National Consultant to Support Planning and Deployment of COVID-19 Vaccination in Viet Nam – COVAX (based in Ha Noi).

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, vaccination

Background:

In the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam faced high risk of transmission as the country is in close geographical proximity of and had robust trade activities with China. In an effort to contain the outbreak, the Government has imposed strict regulations including travel restrictions, school closures and shut down of non-essential service facilities. These measures were effectively implemented and helped the country put the first wave of COVID-19 under control. However, despite this initial success, the country recorded its first COVID-related deaths in July 2020 when faced with the second wave. As of 8^th Feb 2021, Vietnam recorded 2,050 infection cases (in which 923 cases were imported from outside Vietnam, 1,127 cases of local infection), 35 deaths from patients with serious underlying conditions, including Da Nang (31 cases), Quang Nam (03) and Quang Tri (01). New cases are inevitable due to country reopening as well as the problem of illegal border crossings.

The pandemic, together with its control measures, have major multidimensional impacts on the lives of all populations in Viet Nam, especially children, women and other vulnerable groups. Among the most serious is the disruption to essential healthcare (including reduced health seeking behavior), nutrition services  and education; parents and caregivers struggle with alternative childcare arrangements, with some children left alone at home, others drawn into child labour; loss of income and social distancing is leading to economic and psychological stress, which among others, results in increased levels of domestic violence, gender based violence affecting women and children. Women are also particularly vulnerable given their presence in the informal sector and recognizing the double burden they shoulder to earn money to keep food on the table, as well as their role in caring for children and the elderly family members.  Therefore, it is critical that Viet Nam remains vigilant and prepared to minimize any potential damage.

How can you make a difference?

Purposes:

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to contribute to the successful introduction, planning and deployment of the COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility, reaching up to 20 per cent of the population in Viet Nam by the end of 2021.

The specific purposes:

• To support timely procurement and supply and use of vaccines supported by COVAX; ensuring timely monitoring and reporting of the process and results.
• To successfully develop and implement the deployment plans for cold chain system strengthening;
• To support the planning and implementation of COVID-19 outreach sessions in the hard to reach areas.

The consultant will work closely with relevant Departments of Ministry of Health such as the General Dept of Preventive Medicine (GDPM), the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the Drug Administration, the National Institute for Control of Vaccines and Biologicals, the provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC), WHO, and UNICEF Supply Division (SD) and Operations (OPS) and Communication Sections of UNICEF Viet Nam.

Location: 

The working location for the consultant is based in UNICEF’s Ha Noi Office in the Green One UN House with travel to provinces. 

Objectives/tasks:

– Support MOH, GDPM and national EPI to develop and approve project documents on COVID-19 vaccination including cold chain system strengthening as required;

– Support GDPM and National EPI to develop vaccine forecast and distribution plan, importation of vaccines including customs clearance, monitoring the use of vaccines by MOH and national EPI;

– Review the results of the previous cold chain assessments such the Effective Vaccine Management Assessment (EVMA), the Cold Chain Sizing Tool (CCE Tool), the National Annual Cold Chain Inventory and identify and finalize the actual cold chain gaps at all level;

– Conduct series of consultations with the MOH, GDPM, national EPI, provincial CDCs, WHO, GAVI, UNICEF SD, and other relevant stakeholders on planning, development, approval and implementation of the cold chain deployment plans;  

– Support the MOH and national EPI to prepare an application form for COVAX cold chain equipment (CCE) supply and to submit it to COVAX Facility/GAVI by deadline;

– Support MOH and National EPI to develop cold chain deployment plans supported by UNICEF and COVAX Facility/GAVI;

– Cooperate with UNICEF SD on development of TOR and selection of contractors for bundled services of CCE, develop the country Costed Operational Plan (COP) and obtain endorsement of MOH and National EPI on the COP;

– Support the implementation of the CCE deployment plans including custom clearance, regular monitoring before, during and after completion of CCE deployment;

– Support training needs assessments, development of materials and capacity building in cold chain management and logistics for EPI staff and healthcare workers;  

– Convene debrief sessions as required to present the cold chain deployment plans with PowerPoint presentation for the MOH, national EPI, provincial CDC and other relevant stakeholders;

– Support the planning and implementation of COVID-19 vaccination outreach sessions in the hard to reach areas;

– Develop a monitoring system and progress reports on implementation of UNICEF’s support and donor reports as required;

– Other technical assistance and tasks that might to be required by UNICEF and MOH and national EPI.

Please see the full TOR deliverables  Vacancy Notice National Consultant to support COVID-19 vaccination.docx

Management and Reporting:

The national consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Maternal and Child Health Specialist UNICEF and overall guidance of the Chief, Child Survival and Development Section in UNICEF.  The consultant will operate in close cooperation with UNICEF Supply Division; Operations and Communications and Advocacy sections of UNICEF Viet Nam, delegated staff of MOH, GDPM, National EPI  … as required. 

Performance indicators for evaluation:

Indicator for completion and satisfaction measurement will be based on UNICEF Viet Nam own evaluation and judgement, and not that of the Consultant. This means that deliverables will be deemed to be satisfactorily completed by the supervisor of the consultancy. The supervisor is required to provide timely and written feedback to the consultant in order to avoid miscommunication and hold regular meetings with the consultant as needed.

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

Education:

– An advanced degree or equivalent in health, public health or related field.

Work Experience:

– At least 10 years progress professional work experience at government level and/or professional experience working in with national and/or international institutions and programmes and projects in health, communication disease prevention and control, and immunization.

– Experience in coordination, planning and implementation of supply and logistics and equipment in health, immunization and or related programmes/projects.

– Experience in coordination, planning and implement of capacity building in health, public health and immunization including cold chain equipment and logistics.

– Experience of working in the UN or other international development organizations is most preferable.

– Good written and communication skills;

– Good computer knowledge;

– Fluency in English is required.

Language Proficiency:

– Excellent oral and written English skills are required.

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.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Demonstrable analytical and research skills, review and synthesis of data and information and planning experience.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Assessment criteria:

For evaluation and selection method, the Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment: Technical Qualification (max. 100 points) weight 70 %.

Technical Evaluation (70%) – 100 points:

• At least a master’s degree or equivalent in health, public health or related field: 25 points
• At least 10 years progress technical professional work experience at government level and/or professional experience working in with national and/or international institutions and programmes and projects in health, communication disease prevention and control, and immunization: 30 points.
• Experience in coordination, planning and implementation of supply and logistics and equipment in health, immunization and or related programmes/projects: 20 points.
• Experience in coordination, planning and implement of capacity building in health, public health and immunization including cold chain equipment and logistics: 10 points.
• Experience in planning and implement of immunization campaigns/SIAs at different level including outreach sessions: 10 points.
• Experience of working in the UN or other international development organizations is most preferable: 5 points.

Financial evaluation (30%) – 100 points.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview if needed.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to the assigned requisition in UNICEF Vacancies: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

1. Letter of interest and confirmation of availability;
2. Technical proposal which clearly explains the outline on how to deliver the tasks and deliverables (preferably less than 3 pages);
3. Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
4. Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including consultancy fee, travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment.
5. CV/P11 form (UN Personal History Form)  P 11 form.doc

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.