National Consultancy – Vaccine Accountability Coordinators, based in The 10 State Capitals (South Sudan Nationals Only)

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Title:                                   Vaccine accountability coordinators

Type of Contract:            Individual Contractor

Supervision:                    Health Section

Level:    Junior level-      National staff

Location:                           State Capital (WES, WBEG, Warrap, NBEG, Unity, Upper Nile, Lakes)

Duration:                          6 months

Start Date:                      As soon as possible

South Sudan documented the last wild poliovirus (WPV) in 2009 and the last circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (cVPDV2) outbreaks in 2014. South Sudan was among the last four countries who have been certified polio free by the African Regional Certification Commission (ARCC) in 2020.Furthermore, South Sudan switched from tOPV to bOPV before the synchronized global switch in June 2016 and IPV was thus introduced at the same period in December 2015.

However, the routine immunization coverage is still below 50%, with IPV coverage of 41% in 2019. The repeated low IPV coverage is leaving a large cohort of children not protected for polio virus type 2 (PV2). Despite a great success in achieving Wild Polio Virus free status, the country has  now reported a total of A total of 12 PV2 cases (Warrap state has 5 cases: 2 in Tonj North and 3 in Gogrial West, Western Bahr El Ghazal  state 5 cases:  4 in Jur river and 1 in Wau, Northern Bahr El Ghazal state  1 case in Aweil West and Lakes state 1 case in Cubeit) as of the second week of October 2020.

Following global declaration of eradication of type 2 wild polio virus in September 2015 and a synchronized global switch from trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to bOPV in May 2016, any case or isolate of vaccine-derived type 2 poliovirus (VDPV2) from human or environmental samples is considered a potential global public health threat. This requires a rapid, coordinated response involving the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and national and subnational public health agencies. This response may include rapid mass vaccination with monovalent type 2 oral polio vaccine (mOPV2).

The country continues to face numerous challenges in delivering health service to its population, with frequent occurrence of humanitarian crises, emergences, economic and social challenges. As per OCHA report, there are 7.2 million people been affected and need immediate humanitarian assistance, with 1.47 million internally displaced and 2.22 million living as refugees in neighboring countries. 

In order to provide an adequate response to new cases and in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), the country, with support from GPEI partners, will launch a targeted outbreak response in two rounds of supplementary immunization campaign. The first round of the campaign is tentatively planned towards end of October and it will target 45 counties, and 1,494,667 children below 5 years will be immunized in each of two rounds of polio campaign.  

As part of the organization of this response, an operational plan has been developed. Among other aspects, it details the component on vaccine management for which UNICEF is accountable to its partners. To ensure the quality of vaccine management, UNICEF will recruit and deploy Vaccine Accountability Monitors and their coordinators to all areas affected by the response.

Purpose

The main objective of the VM & CCL national consultant is to support the  state coordination committees for the preparation and implementation of activities for the response to the cVDPV2 outbreak, specifically,  to ensure uninterrupted vaccine availability and complete recovery of all vials of mOPV2 after the rounds in accordance with the SOPs and the recommendations of the Advisory Group. The national consultant will implement the planned activities in the geographical area under his responsibility and will present the deliverables described below.

Scope of Work, Activities and Deliverables

In terms of cold chain management, the national consultant will be responsible for:

Activities

• Ensure that the inventory of active and passive cold chain equipment for all health facilities is updated.
• Ensure the proper functioning of the cold chain: temperature readings, recycling of ice packs, packaging of vaccines, etc.    
• Ensure that deliveries comply with the distribution plan.
• Coordinate the distribution, administrative management, stock monitoring and full availability of cold chain equipment and mOVP2 at health centres and ensure the collection of open and unopened vials of mOPV2 after the rounds.
• Ensure effective waste management after vaccination activities;
• Develop mechanisms to accelerate the preparation and compilation of reports (vaccine utilization reports and Form A) and their transmission to upper levels;
• All stakeholders in the health zone have been trained on the specificity of mOPV2 management according to management protocol and on the use of management tools.
• Conduct field visits to monitor the level of preparedness of health areas, to verify proper vaccine management and to build capacity;
• Ensure the coordination of Independent Vaccine Monitoring activities: training of supervisors, coordinators and monitors, supervision, compilation of monitoring data and transmission of reports from the area of responsibility.

Deliverables

• The cold chain inventory for the county is updated two weeks before the campaign.
• The distribution plan for vaccine, management and communication tools is shared with all levels seven days before shipments begin.
• The number of vials, chalk, markers, management and communication tools expected, match with the number received.
• 2 weeks after the end of the campaign, vaccine consumption data are collected, verified and compiled in the vaccine management report
• 4 weeks after the end of the campaign, the vial destruction reports are signed, collected, verified and compiled in a report.
• 5 days after the end of the campaign: Form A are signed by the State EPI Manager, collected and verified.
• The training report is available with the results of the post-training tests.
• 2 weeks after the end of the campaign, the supervision sheets are handed over to the supervisor.
• Two weeks at the end of each round. The Independent Monitoring of Vaccines data collection tools are collected, verified and compiled in the Independent Monitoring Report.

Qualifications and Competencies

The national CCL/VM consultant must have the following qualifications:

• Health logistics specialist with extensive knowledge of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, including aspects related to mass vaccination campaigns and to polio eradication initiative;
• An advanced university degree is required in Public Health, Pediatric Health, Child Development, Child Health, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Public Administration, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Procurement or other relevant disciplines.
• Have at least 3 years’ experience in managing the logistics of the routine expanded programme on immunization or other health commodities;
• Professional work experience in a technical expert position related to immunization/health supply, logistics and procurement.
• Have proven experience in the implementation of mass vaccination campaigns, more specifically polio NIDs;
• Have skills in leadership, teamwork and adult education;
• Proficiency in computer tools, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint software;
• Master the logistics tools of the EPI, SMT, DVD-MT, CCE inventory tool;
• Knowledge of computer management techniques, including Internet browsing.

1. Skills

• Have a very good ability to writing skills.
• Have an organizational and managerial capacity;
• Know how to maintain good relations with all partners;
• Be a team player;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Have the ability to communicate and train.

UNICEF Supervisor

The consultant will be under the direct technical supervision of the international CCL/VM (Technical and Administrative Supervision) consultant and the Polio Coordinator. He/she will supervise the independent monitors and their coordinators recruited for the management of OPVm2 vials in the sub-prefecture and health facilities.

Travel Clause

•             All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply.

•             All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.

•             The eligible maximum amount for travel is specified in the contract.

•             The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized.

•             Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission. UNICEF will pay the applicable DSA rate and other travel related expenses upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation.

Nature of Penalty Clause in Contract

If the final reports and documents are not submitted according to the deliverables stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld.  UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days – 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future

Estimated Duration of the Contract

6 months – 20 November 2020 to 22 April 2021