Individual National Immunization Consultant

The immunization consultant will be deployed at central level to provide technical assistance to Immunization Unit at the Maternal and Child Health Center (MCHC) who plays a vital role in collaborating with the provinces to plan various activities such as cold chain management, data handling, supportive supervision, and service delivery. Additionally, the unit supports provinces, districts, and health centers in planning and executing Routine Immunization (RI) activities. It assists district and health center staff in the selection of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) for implementing the zero-dose plan, with health center workers overseeing their work. The unit also aids in training VHVs and health center-based supervisors according to guidelines for identifying and vaccinating zero dose children. Furthermore, it supports health center-based health workers in monitoring and supervising VHVs, providing them with refresher training, and estimating the number of eligible children for vaccination. Community-based advocacy meetings are conducted with village chiefs and other leaders to select volunteers if necessary. The unit actively participates in provincial and district-level immunization meetings and provides routine progress reports on immunization coverage and cold chain management.

In addition, the consultant will support following activities in 20 low performing districts:

• Coordinate electronic micro plans from all 20 low-performing districts to prepare for budget allocation for Routine Immunization (RI)
• Conduct site visits to districts and Health Centers (HCs) within the 20 low-performing districts to oversee progress toward establishing HCs as models for EPI activities.
• Accompany the data team on field visits to observe Electronic Immunization Registry (EIR) activities at the subnational level.
• Assist data and communication teams in coordinating with the Ministry of Health and provinces to ensure timely implementation of activities.
• Encourage community engagement by collaborating with community and village leaders.
• Establish a feedback mechanism from the community to the central level and from the central level to the subnational level.

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

Qualification and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in medicine or Public Health or any other related field
• Advanced degree in Public Health will be an advantage.

Knowledge and skills:

• Over 10 years of experience in Immunization, cold chain Management and related initiatives at National or Provincial level.
• Familiarity with the Lao PDR health system context is required.
• Experience in providing technical assistance to the government staff and capacity building activities.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and have the initiative to work independently to meet deadlines.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/571067