Country: Madagascar
Closing date: 20 Apr 2016
Title: Immunization Supply Chain Management Specialist
Type of nomination: Individual Consultant (SSA)
Duration: 6 months from May 2016
Location: Antananarivo
Starting date: May 2016
Opening date: 06 April 2016 Closing date: 20 April 2016
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
- BACKGROUND
Madagascar is one of the ten low income countries with the largest differences in DTP3 coverage between poorest and richest wealth quintiles identified in 2011 supported by GAVI. MDG survey data indicates that there may have been a serious decline in vaccination: only 51.1% of children 12-23 months are completely vaccinated (MDG survey 2012/13) compared to 61.6% in 2008 (EDS 2008/9). All indicators of availability of health personnel show a steady decline since 2005 (MoH). Insufficiencies in the immunization supply chain management are among the critical barriers to immunization coverage and equity, Last mile logistics (CSB level and for outreaches in the Fokontany) are of particular importance as a strategy to reach the unreached rural remote communities and
The Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessment conducted in 2014 showed that only three criteria evaluation at national level and one at regional and district level out of 9 key criteria have reached the recommended standard of 80%. No evaluation criteria out of 9 key criteria have reached the recommended standard of 80%, at health center level. In addition about 60% of the CSB have outdated cold chain equipment.
The EVM report identifies major bottlenecks for the EPI systems, essentially related to poor cold chain capacities and poor maintenance with regular vaccines and vaccination materials stock shortage at regional, district and health facilities level; insufficiency in the distribution of vaccines at different levels (logistical and organizational difficulties); low ability of health staff to maintain the existing.
To ensure improving vaccination coverage with equity to reach all targeted population, improving Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) and reviewing the vaccine supply chain system and to identify strengths and weaknesses and provide support to address these weakness is critical.
To the direction of the EPI (DPEV) in the ministry, UNICEF Madagascar is recruiting a cold chain and logistic specialist to ensure the technical assistance with focus on immunization supply chain management.
Under the direct supervision of the Immunization Specialist chief of EPI unit and in close collaboration with other staff members and the UNICEF Regional Office ISCM specialist, s/he will provide technical guidance for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the EVM improvement plan in Madagascar encompassing all strategies relevant to the Malagasy context in the immunization supply chain management strategy.
- MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
In close collaboration with the DPEV, logistics officers in DPEV and the logistics committee of the ICC :
Coordination of iSCM/CCL
◾Participate in the logistics committee and support the DPEV in their leadership in the iSCM/CCL committee
◾Support committee in developing a framework of responsibilities of players and their accountability in iSCM (players include on the one hand donors such as Gavi, WB, EU, USAID, UNICEF, WHO and on the other hand government counter parts at national, regional, district and CSB levels).
◾ 1.EVM improvement plan and cold chain inventory
◾Review the 2014 EVM and the EVM improvement plan and suggest elements to make the EVM improvement comprehensive (inclusive of all strategies in iSCM strategy relevant to Malagasy context)
◾Support DPEV and logistics committee in the system to update the cold chain equipment inventory and capacity analysis
◾Support DPEV and logistics committee in review of the selection of preferred cold chain equipment by level.
◾Ensure inclusion of cEVM-IP in the cMYP, CCE Optimization Platform application, and other relevant documents
◾Provide technical guidance to the DPEV to implement the EVM-IP as per schedule and funding availability.
◾Monitor the implementation status of the EVM-IP
◾ 1.Cold chain equipment procurement and deployment
◾Assist DPEV in the application process of the CCE Optimization Platform to Gavi for accelerated solarization of cold chain
◾Assist DPEV in procurement processes to be aligned with national priorities and in concert with UNICEF procedures (as relevant)
◾Assist DPEV in the development of CCE distribution and installation plan, prioritizing areas most affected by inequities in immunization, respecting national priorities and in line with UNICEF procedures as applicable
◾ 1.Temperature monitoring
◾Support DPEV in the roll-out of continuous temperature monitoring systems in cold rooms, refrigerators and during distribution process, possibly supported by new technology (GSM etc).
◾ 1.Vaccine and supply management
◾Review current stock management procedures and suggest steps for improvement, including vaccine wastage monitoring
◾Review distribution system and suggest steps for improvement, including reception of supplies at entry point (airport/port) and transport to DPEV
◾Strengthen stock monitoring system and suggest improvements to avoid stock-outs and over stocks.
- DELIVERABLES
At the end of this contract position the Ministry of Health will be able to achieve the following results:
◾Comprehensive EVM improvement plan is validated, its implementation supported and its status of implementation monitored
◾Application to the Gavi Cold chain equipment optimisation proposal is submitted and its implementation supported and monitored.
◾Up to date cold chain inventory and Cold Chain Expansion and Replacement Plan available
◾Temperature, stock and vaccine wastage monitoring system in place at central levels
- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
◾Advanced University degree is required, additional degree/training in Supply Chain Management, Cold Chain and Logistics or related areas is an asset.
◾Six years of experience in immunization supply chain management or related areas; of which at least 2-4 years in developing countries. At least five years of practical experience in developing countries in immunizations and primary health care, management, monitoring and evaluation.
◾Current knowledge of the latest developments and technology in the field of ISCM.
◾Fluency in French (verbal and written). Good written and spoken skills in English and knowledge of another UN language an asset.
◾Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
- DUTY STATION AND TRAVEL
The post is Office-based in Antananarivo with travel within the country to priority regions. S/he will work in a close collaboration with the Immunization specialist and the whole health team.
- CONDITIONS OF WORK
Regular working conditions in Antananarivo. Difficult working conditions in the field. S/he will be provided with full support from UNICEF including basic office support and field levels.
How to apply:
Interested candidates are requested to apply only online via the link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job&job=494536 , and should attach a cover letter, detailed CV, a copy of the national identity card or passport, a copy of the highest accredited diploma and A completed United Nations P11 form/s (available at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc ).
Incomplete or late submission after the deadline (20 April 2016) will not be considered. Only candidates shortlisted will be contacted and will receive an official response to their application.
Our job applications are also available on the site http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/
Further information, please contact: hrantananarivo@unicef.org
* See the list of accredited institutions on the link: www.whed.net
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