Immunization cold chain and Logistic Specialist – P3  

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, HEALTH

UNICEF Comoros plays a pivotal role in supporting the Comoros Health Authorities and other partners to scale-up routine immunization services, thereby reducing child morbidity and mortality. Efforts are underway to strengthen vaccine management and cold chain capacity within the country, as well as to enhance the skills of national actors in designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) across all health districts.

UNICEF received funds from Gavi Partnership Engagement Framework Targeted Country Assistance (PEF TCA) mechanism to provide technical assistance to countries to maximize their Gavi Grants. UNICEF Comoros office is recruiting an immunization logistics specialist to support the country in this area.

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Chief of Health and Nutrition, the incumbent of this position will closely support the Ministry of Health of Comoros with supply chain, logistics and vaccine forecasting. A main responsibility is to ensure the rapid delivery of vaccine and ancillary supplies/equipment and build the capacity of Comorian health authorities in this regard.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Health and Nutrition, the incumbent administers the immunization cold chain and logistics supply operations in support of Health programme objectives, and builds capacity of Comoros health authorities on vaccine management and supply. Responsible for effective planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the EVM plan, ensure deployment and maintenance of the cold chain at central, island, and operational level including solar refrigerators, ensure forecasting of vaccines and injection devices for routine and SIAs, train health staff on vaccine and cold chain management, while also ensuring close mentoring of the implementation of EPI interventions in the field, in support of the Country Programme.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Conduct a quarterly assessment on implementation of the Cold Chain Rehabilitation Plan; Identify documents with local and international standards. carefully evaluated reference to existing standards and that the requirements of all relevant stakeholders are taken into consideration.

• Work with the national immunization supply chain Logistic Work Group (LWG) and identify public sector and organizations and expertise which have direct and indirect responsibilities; accountable for public sector property management and disposal of these cold chain equipment (CCE).

• Support the expansion of the use of remote temperature monitoring devices to all health centres in the country and train staff in their use.

• Support the biannual update of the national inventory of cold chain equipment.

• Liaise with the UNICEF Country Office operation section on all health sector purchase and service requests.

• Liaise with the operation section to monitor purchase requests and deliveries of vaccines and cold chain equipment.

• Ensure timely preparation and submission of vaccine and equipment arrival reports.

• Support the establishment or strengthening of a dashboard at central level to monitor supply chain performance indicators.

• Identify and review polices, guidelines and procedures related to public sector property management, cold chain, environment etc.

• Explore sources and identify technology for decommissioning feasible for the context, for national and further health administration levels.

• Develop guideline/protocol – which provide an easily and accessible decommissioning methods/disposal method – economically and environmentally sound disposal mechanisms, which could be adopted at all levels of the immunization supply chain levels. A national consultation process may be required prior to adoption of standards to ensure the disposal methods are responsive to the national and local contexts.

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

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree in supply chain management, purchasing, logistics, economics, international development studies, medicine, public health, epidemiology or other degree in relevant field. Applicable work experience may be substituted in cases where the academic degree is not aligned with a relevant field.

EXPERIENCE

At least 5 years of experience managing international public health programs, including at least 3 years in immunization, preferably in the following areas:

– Logistics management systems

– Analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and root causes

– Familiarity with inventory policies, allocation, ordering and distribution strategies and other supply chain operations

– Strengthening health systems

– Evaluation and measurement of supply chain performance;

Experience working with national ministries of health would be an asset.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Fluency in French and working knowledge of English are required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates male are encouraged to apply.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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