International Consultant – Immunization Supply Chain, Solomon Islands

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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, a voice 

The Solomon Islands are an archipelago made up of around 992 islands with an estimated total population of around 721,455, with around 74% living in the rural areas. There has been tremendous progress in reducing child morbidity and mortality through increasing immunization coverage >90% DPT3 at the national level, the introduction of cost-effective vaccines including IPV, PCV and HPV, stunting reduction interventions etc. To sustain these efforts and even improve, continuous immunization supply chain support is needed. The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the primary health care system, and the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines will increase the pressure on the already fragile supply chain and even requiring novel approaches such as the use of barcodes or ultracold chain devices.

How can you make a difference?

As part of UNICEF’s continued engagement and technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) in immunization and child health services, including preparations for the rollout and implementation of the COVAX facility and other COVID vaccinations through the strengthening of immunization supply chain and logistics, UNICEF will be providing dedicated technical assistance to the National EPI program in developing and updating relevant immunization supply chain tools and guidelines, standard operating procedures and framework to strengthen vaccination access at national and sub-national levels. In addition, this consultancy will assist with the continued rollout of effective vaccine management (EVM) improvement plans and, vaccine and essential supplies wastage reduction strategies, all to extend the reach of potent vaccines and further strengthen the immunization and medicines supply chain in the country.

Scope of Work:

A. Develop and rollout COVAX vaccine management tools and standard operating procedures (SOPs):

– Review existing immunization supply chain SOPs and adapt to incorporate COVID-19 vaccines requirements  

– Conduct training for relevant supply chain focal points and disseminate the SOPs

– Facilitate training for COVID-19 vaccination teams on proper handling of vaccines and safe injection practices

– Review and updated immunization wastage management guidelines  

B. Provide technical assistance in the procurement and deployment of additional cold chain equipment:

– Provide technical support and work closely with the national cold chain manager and the vendors in a clearing, deploying and installation of cold chain equipment including solar direct drives, ice lined refrigerators, continuous temperature monitoring devices, and passive cold chain equipment

– Conduct intra- and post-installation inspection of cold chain equipment deployment

– Update the cold chain inventory and monitor cold chain dry storage capacity for COVID-19 vaccinations

– Strengthen cold chain use and maintenance capacity for frontline health workers, pharmacy officers and cold chain technicians.

C. Facilitate implementation of the vaccine wastage reduction strategy:

– Establish sentinel surveillance to track and monitor vaccines wastage and measures in select provinces

– Collect and analyze vaccine wastage data after 3 months of tracking and data collection

– Explore and present to the national medical store’s medicines tracking and inventory system to effectively manage and record medicines dispatch and wastage

– Assist the national cold chain officer to conduct bi-monthly vaccine stock take across the second level medical stores

D. Assist the MHMS and the National Medical Stores in further implementation of the 2017 EVM improvement plan and preparations towards another EVM assessment in 2022:

– Implement a dashboard tracking immunization supply chain monitoring and supervision across provinces

– Facilitate the enlisting of diluents and VVM into the mSupply inventory system

– Review and strengthen vaccine temperature monitoring at the national and subnational levels

– Provide technical assistance with rehabilitating incinerators and other immunization waste management tools 

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

• University (preferably advanced) degree is required in supply chain management, industrial engineering, economics, logistics, business, operations management, public health or any other relevant field
• At least 5 years of experience, at the national and international levels, on supply chain management, cold chain management, logistics or operations management and at least 3 years of experience on immunization/public health programmes.
• Familiarity with cold chain systems, effective vaccine management, inventory policies, logistics, outsourcing, segmentation strategies, integration of health products, and other system design strategies
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas.
• Good writing and communication skills.
• Computer skills, including quantitative analysis and reporting tools.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Competencies
  – Solid analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
  – Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the workplace.
  – Versatility, judgment and maturity. 

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.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

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:

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.