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Background and the purpose of the Consultancy
Context
Botswana has Botswana has been severely affected by COVID-19 with high case burden and high mortality in 2021, cumulatively with over 300,000 confirmed cases and over 2,800 cumulative deaths since the beginning of the pandemic in December 2020 to date. As part of the COVID-19 response strategy, Botswana rolled out the COVID-19 vaccination program in March 2021. Since its inception the program has reached over 1,7 million people with at least one dose of vaccination and over 1, 4million of them with a second dose, with a further 500 000 people having received a booster dose, translating into 70.3% of the total population reached with at least one dose and 60.6% fully vaccinated. Botswana hence has reached the WHO/CDC Africa Target of 70% and has positioned the country as one of the best performing countries on COVID-19 vaccination uptake. The vaccination campaign was rolled out in phases to priority groups and adult population as in the national deployment and vaccination plan (NDVP) and ultimately to adolescents and children aged 5 – 17 years.
Despite this notable success in ensuring widespread coverage of COVID 19 vaccination, continued progress against COVID 19 is very important to sustain the gains made and as well as to leverage the COVID-19 health system strengthening investment to support the smooth transition from the emergency response to routine programming while ensuring protection of the most vulnerable populations and lessened impact on other health programs. COVID-19 remains a global public health threat despite the lifting of its status as public health emergency of international concern by WHO in May 2023 and SAGE recommended to focus on vaccinating the highest priority use groups with complete primary series and booster vaccination. Risk communication and demand creation among the most at-risk populations is needed to foster continued uptake of available services as well as countering misinformation and collating local knowledge. Botswana will further accelerate reach to high priority groups and expand the Primary Health Care (PHC) package to include COVID-19 vaccination as an additional intervention while strengthening the life-course approach for immunization.
Like other countries, the Government of Botswana has moved to integrate COVID-19 vaccination into routine immunization and use lessons from the COVID-19 response programme to inform and improve the routine immunisation programme in the country. There is a need for technical support to Ministry of Health (MoH) to implement and institutionalize the integration plan, currently under development, with particular emphasis on implementation of planned service delivery pillars and continuous monitoring of these to ensure sustainability and better preparedness for vaccine preventable diseases.
UNICEF Botswana proposes to hire a consultant to support the Government of Botswana through MoH to implement the COVID-19 vaccination integration plan into routine immunisation.
Like other countries, the Government of Botswana has moved to integrate COVID-19 vaccination into routine immunization and use lessons from the COVID-19 response programme to inform and improve the routine immunisation programme in the country. There is a need for technical support to Ministry of Health (MoH) to implement and institutionalize the integration plan, currently under development, with particular emphasis on implementation of planned service delivery pillars and continuous monitoring of these to ensure sustainability and better preparedness for vaccine preventable diseases.
How can you make a difference?
Purpose of the Consultancy
UNICEF Botswana proposes to hire a consultant to support the Government of Botswana through MoH to implement the COVID-19 vaccination integration plan into routine immunisation.
Scope of Work: (Activity/Assignment):
Under the overall guidance of the UNICEF Deputy Representative, and technical guidance of the Health and Nutrition Specialist, the COVID-19 Vaccination Integration Consultant will provide technical and management support to the
MoH/Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Team to accelerate the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination integration into routine immunization and Primary Health Care services.
The consultant will work closely with the EPI unit/Ministry of Health in coordination with COVID-19 Focal point as needed and support the implementation of the national COVID-19 vaccination integration plan with tailored delivery strategies and full engagement of key partners including the EPI and non-EPI partners.
The consultant will also travel to selected districts to coordinate and consult with district and community level structures to gather input for the development of national integration plan.
The consultant will work with the MoH and partner agencies supporting the COVID-19 integration and EPI program to achieve the following deliverables and related tasks:
- Provide technical support to institutionalize key principles and implementation guidelines for COVID-19 integration into routine PHC services in Botswana to ensure timely execution of the integration plan
- Develop training materials, training plan and conduct trainings to cascade implementation of the integration plan from national to community level
- Provide specialized technical assistance on the planning of immunization service delivery, supporting capacity building initiatives within the district health management teams through developing strategies to identify and reach under-served and high-risk populations and optimizing local approaches to COVID-19 with emphasis on integrated service delivery modalities.
- Support the documentation of lessons learnt, case studies and best practices as it relates to strategies and interventions designed and rolled out to ramp up COVID-19 immunization services according to Botswana’s National Deployment Vaccination Plan (NDNP).
- Contribute to the maintenance of programmatic data on integrated service delivery of vaccination through the use of available revised tools. This support will strengthen the integrated reporting systems for COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., electronic) and EPI (e.g. paper based) including vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, AEFI and AESI systems.
- Travel to determined districts, as required, to gather feedback input from the district health management teams which will inform the adjustment of the integration plan as needed.
- Under the guidance of the BCO Health and Nutrition Specialist, provide strategic, logistical, and programmatic support to the BCO Vaccine deployment team and other UNICEF senior management staff on corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners. Highlight to UNICEF senior management areas requiring immediate support.
- Perform any other relevant tasks that the immunization coverage and equity team require with respect to data monitoring by supporting the maintenance of programmatic data on integrated delivery of vaccination through the use and revision of available tools.
The key tasks and indicative timeline are provided below. The tasks will be conducted in close collaboration with the UNICEF Country and Regional Offices and Ministry of Health.
Work Assignment Overview
| Tasks/Milestone | Deliverables/Outputs | Timeline ( Days and Deadline) | Schedule of payment |
| Develop a workplan, defining the type of information on resources required, outlining validated work schedule and technical approach to the assignment | Approved inception report | 7 days , upon the start date | 10% |
| Develop the training materials and training plan to cascade training from national to community level. | Approved training materials and training plan as well as training reports. | 08 March | 25% |
| Provide specialized technical assistance on the planning of immunization service delivery at district health management teams through supporting capacity building initiatives at district level developing strategies to identify and reach under-served and high-risk populations and optimizing local approaches to COVID-19 with emphasis on integrated service delivery modalities | Recommendations on strategies to identify and reach under-served and high-risk populations. | | 0 |
| Provide technical guidance to MoH on COVID-19 integration and monitor work progress while supporting efforts to ensure that planned activities are achieved according to schedule and in alignment with performance standards. Travel to determined districts, as required, to gather feedback input from the district health management teams which will inform the adjustment of the integration plan as needed. | Monthly progress updates developed and submitted to BCO and MoH on actions taken to ensure timely delivery of results and highlighting areas requiring immediate support | Continuous February – May | April 25% |
| Support the documentation of lessons learned and best practices from three (3) case studies as they relate to strategies and interventions designed and rolled out to ramp up COVID-19 immunization services according to Botswana’s NDVP. | Report documenting lessons learned and best practices shared with UNICEF Botswana, ESARO and MoH | May | 0 |
| Provide strategic, logistical, and programmatic support to the BCO Vaccine deployment team and other UNICEF senior management staff on corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners. Highlight to UNICEF senior management areas requiring immediate support. | Report documenting lessons learned and best practices shared with UNICEF Botswana, ESARO and MoH | May | 0 |
| Support to strengthen the integrated reporting systems for COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., electronic) and EPI (e.g. paper based) including vaccine- preventable disease surveillance, AEFI and AESI systems. Contribute to the maintenance of programmatic data on integrated delivery of vaccination through the use and revision of available tools. | Technical revision to the vaccination coverage and adverse events following immunization (AEFI) reportsincluding updates on key indicators | May | 0 |
| Produce final report on progress made relating to implementation of integration plan, including recommendations for strengthening service delivery and vaccination uptake. | Final report submitted and approved | 7 days ,31 May 2024 deadline | 15% |
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
To whom will the consultant report (supervisory and any other reporting/communication lines):
- The Consultant will report progress to the Deputy Representative and Health and Nutrition Specialist within UNICEF Botswana Country Office and to MoH.
- They shall also work closely with the EPI team and Programme Manager EPI in MoH
- It is expected that the consultant prepares an implementation plan rollout schedule with timelines for the assignment, outlining planned tasks and concrete steps to be undertaken to accomplish the planned tasks within the scheduled time.
- Regular discussions will be held face-to-face, virtually, and the consultant is expected to stay in touch via telephone, e-mails and other means such as Teams, WhatsApp or Zoom.
How will the consultant deliver work and when will reporting be done:
- The consultant will need to present the draft documents as well as the final report to UNICEF and MoH, and allocate the necessary time to review and incorporate feedback from partners.
- At the beginning of the assignment, the consultant is expected to produce and agree with UNICEF and MoH on the workplan schedules for the assignment period.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum Qualifications required:
Masters degree
Enter Disciplines:
public health/nutrition, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field.
First university degree combined with relevant professional work experience and understanding of relevant functions may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
- Minimum of 8 years progressively responsible professional work experience in designing, implementing and monitoring EPI and public health programs at national level, including in low- or middle-income settings
- Demonstrated experience with new vaccine introduction experience is considered an advantage
- Proven experience working in child health in low- or middle-income settings is considered an advantage
- Familiarity with WHO/UNICEF guidelines in child health and immunization
Skills:
- Ability to work independently, under pressure, and within deadlines, including strong planning and coordination skills
- Good communication, advocacy and people skills and the ability to communicate with various stakeholders and to express concisely and clearly ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
- Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills, with ability to lead/train a group of individuals and impart knowledge.
Knowledge:
- In-depth knowledge on immunization, introduction of new vaccines, knowledge on AEFI, risk management, writing strategies, policies, knowledge and experience with data collection, data management analysis and reporting are essential.
- Solid knowledge and expertise working with multiple technical agencies working in the immunization field.
- Experience working with UNICEF and WHO is an asset.
Language Proficiency:
- English (read, spoken, and written).
- Portuguese (read, spoken, and written).
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit 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.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
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.
Administrative issues:
The selection and conditions of service of consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s Policies and General Terms and Conditions for individual consultants.
No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.
Consultant will be required to complete mandatory online courses (e.g. Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security) upon receipt of offer and before the signature of contract.
Consultant will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants and to share an applicable proof of health insurance covering medical evacuation (if travel is involved) prior to taking up the assignment.
How to Apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement online. Please indicate your ability, availability and a technical proposal and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above.
Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g., consultancy fee, living allowance, travel if applicable), quoted in USD
Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.
If you have not been contacted within 1 month of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.
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.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.