Immunization Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF GEO organization mission TBD

Context

Abkhazia, Georgia has a population of 244,236 according to the last data from 2022. The 1992–1993 hostilities and the resulting destruction and isolation have negatively impacted the economic and social welfare in the Abkhazia. For the last 30 years, the unresolved conflict has set back progress and continues to jeopardize human rights and living conditions of conflict-affected communities, impacting access to social services, human security, and peace.
Since the mid-1990s, United Nations entities and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) have been working in Abkhazia with the aim of improving living conditions for conflict-affected, displaced and vulnerable communities.
UNICEF Georgia has a Field Office in Abkhazia since October 2005. UNICEF, being the key player in advocating and supporting the realization of the rights of children, as stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and guided by the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, is implementing strategic interventions in the fields of health, education and child protection in Abkhazia. More specifically, since 2011, UNICEF has been actively supporting the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI) including the establishment of immunization monitoring database software, introduction of an immunization calendar based on WHO standards and recommendations, introduction of key vaccines to the calendar, procurement of vaccines and facilitation of delivery, strengthening of the vaccine cold chain, and training of health professionals.
Notwithstanding concerted efforts of UNICEF and international development partners, substantial gaps in health services in Abkhazia remain unsolved. The limited supply of essential medicines, significant shortages in health workers, and lack of reliable health data and awareness to effectively plan, contributes to poor access to essential health services, including immunization which represents a critical component of the integrated public health framework.
UNICEF’s immunization program review in Abkhazia (2024) highlighted the distressingly low immunization coverage, notably with DTP3 at 12 months, plummeting below 30%. Furthermore, Abkhazia is currently in the grip of an alarming pertussis outbreak, reporting over 691 confirmed cases in 2023 alone, equivalent to 284 cases per 100,000 population – with the unsettling potential for further transmission to neighbouring communities . Moreover, the risk extends beyond pertussis, encompassing a looming threat of measles, rubella, polio, and diphtheria outbreaks, with MMR1 immunization coverage also perilously below 30%.
The review has also reviled significant multifaceted gaps including in awareness among stakeholders, and alignment with national health strategies. The absence of a dedicated program and limited dissemination of recent orders underscore the need for comprehensive and integrated services. Addressing these issues is crucial for the successful implementation of immunization activities and achieving optimal vaccine coverage in Abkhazia.
This assignment is of an urgent need, The UN Volunteer is expected to start at the duty station as soon as possible.

Task description

UNICEF is seeking for a qualified UN Volunteer to provide technical assistance in strengthening the immunization programme in Abkhazia, including development, planning, implementation, delivery, monitoring, evaluation and oversight of the outbreak preparedness and response, as an integral part of the maternal and child health component of UNICEF Georgia’s Country Programme.
SPECIFIC TASKS
– Facilitate establishment of a medical professional coordination body for outbreak response and oversight of implementation of immunization catch-up campaign.
– Evaluate available stocks and forecast vaccine/supplies needs for catch-up immunization campaign.
– Develop human-centred, behaviourally-informed catch-up immunization campaign concept (DTP/MMR) with zero dose approach with identification of unvaccinated (zero dose) or under-vaccinated individuals in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
– Initiate and oversee the implementation of immunization catch-up campaign, addressing critical coverage gaps.
– Monitor implementation progress for catch-up campaign and suggest adjustments for improvement of service delivery and sustainability.
– Mobilize support/facilitate and/or co-facilitate training of healthcare workers in: outbreak response, case management, contact tracing, false contraindications, immunization in practice, Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI), supply management, interpersonal communication.
– Support/provide technical guidance in enhancing AEFI surveillance and reporting of adverse events following immunization.
– Regularly provide the most relevant and strategic information on any data/surveillance deficiencies, integration of sex disaggregated data, availability/need of vaccines, lab kits, supplies, etc.
– Update the reporting modules of the existing immunization information system to reflect the most relevant information with disaggregated data to ensure establishment of tailored actions.
– Provide technical support and mentorship to strengthen data management skills, data quality and reliability.
– Train healthcare workers on data collection protocols, data entry, and utilization of the information management system.
GENERAL DUTIES
– Establish partnership and collaboration with stakeholders for maintaining technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.
– Provide technical support to various stakeholders, including training of immunization programme personnel and beneficiaries.
– Explore innovative approaches for immunization integrated activities, such as community engagement through local authorities and education/social programmes.
– Support strengthening immunization information management and surveillance, as well as corresponding reporting forms.
– Develop/adjust a plan for regular immunization supervision visits.
– Build capacity local skills in development, implementation and management of immunization services.
– Review and analyze supply and non-supply assistance for the delivery of immunization services.
– Prepare all required programme reports in a timely manner and in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
– Undertake assigned duties and responsibilities, including for proposal development and fundraising.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
– Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day, 5th of December).
– Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
– Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities (for instance at https://vra.unv.org),
– Contribute articles/wrjte-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
– Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
– Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.