National Consultancy – Immunization programme, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 12 months (Home based)

National individual consultant, providing professional technical support to the Health and Nutrition section of UNICEF for the priority activities essential to strengthen the immunization programme and address current challenges to maintain effective coverage of the immunization services in the country.

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, Results

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground.  For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose:

National individual consultant, providing professional technical support to the Health and Nutrition section of UNICEF for the priority activities essential to strengthen the immunization programme and address current challenges to maintain effective coverage of the immunization services in the country.

Goal and Objective:

Under the supervision of the Health and Nutrition Manager, the consultant will support priority activities essential for immediate vaccine deployment and scale-up preparations and support the Health and Nutrition section in activities related to strengthening the Immunization Programme including addressing current challenges to maintain quality immunization services in the country. Overall, the consultant will ensure the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of activities under the immunization programme including COVID-19 vaccine delivery support (CDS)/Immunization/COVAX programme and project activities are delivered in a timely manner and aligned with UNICEF’s roles and responsibilities.

Description of assignment:

• Planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of all the activities under the COVID 19 vaccine delivery support (CDS,) working closely with the focal point at the Ministry of Health, Epidemiology Unit of Ministry of Health, and other Departments of the Ministry of Health as required

• Support the UNICEF and Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health in the implementation of recommendations from the Effective Vaccine Management Assessment (EVMA) conducted in 2022.

• Follow up, implement, monitor, evaluate and report on the activities related to the Cold Chain Equipment Strengthening in the facilities at the central level and the districts including solar electrification of divisional-level vaccine stores (Divisional level primary healthcare institution) and MOH offices.

• Continue to ensure the availability of accurate, complete, and up-to-date information required for effective Immunization/COVAX programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation and ensure accuracy and appropriateness of data and coding.

• Procurement of vehicles for vaccine transport at the field clinic level

 • Work closely with the WASH officers of UNICEF and relevant partners in strengthening WASH facilities and vaccine waste management in the immunization clinics

• Continue to assemble and provides updated data and information on national immunization/COVAX programme and on financial/administrative status for monitoring, and analysis.

• Continue to work closely with UNICEF’s supply team to monitor UNICEF inputs, and timeliness of supply and non-supply assistance to MOH and local authorities in CCE strengthening through the CDS and CanGive grants. In collaboration with the supply team, record supply and non-supply inventory and bimonthly update on cold chain equipment, distribution, and utilization.

• Continue to work closely with UNICEF Communication and Communication for Development sections on inputs required for SBC strategy development and implementation, social mobilization, promotional and visibility activities relate to COVID immunization.

• Continue to work closely with Epidemiology Unit and Health Promotion Bureau in all the activities related to addressing vaccine hesitancy and the recent measles outbreak.

• Work closely with the Consultant recruited for assessment and preparing the final report on gender disparities in MNCH including immunization service provision.

• Work closely with the Consultant recruited to assess MNCH and Immunization quality landscape analysis and development of the road map for quality improvement in MNCH and Immunization

• Prepare reports and documents required for discussions with in-country partners and UNICEF Regional Office

• Support the Health and Nutrition team in the development of new proposals and timely reporting of activities related to immunization

• Undertake field visits to districts and sub-districts for monitoring activities as relevant.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

 

Work relationships:

Based within the UNICEF Sri Lanka Health and Nutrition section, the consultant will report to the Health and Nutrition Manager and will work closely with the Health and Nutrition Officer, and Health and Nutrition Programme Associate. The consultant is also expected to work in collaboration with UNICEF’s Supply team that support all procurement-related work and the Communication for Development and Communication teams closely as per the requirement. The consultant would work with the WHO immunization focal point in completing the joint activities. The consultant will also work in coordination with the County Offices’ relevant programme sections, health/immunization personnel in other Country Offices and Regional Offices, and external partners in relation to EPI.

 

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

• Master’s degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Medicine, Health, Public Health, or a field relevant to international development assistance in Immunization and Child Survival & Health Care

• Background/familiarity with Emergency

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Years of experience:

• A min of 5 years of experience at the national and/or district level immunization programmes

• Experience of EVM assessment and cIP development in Sri Lanka

• Experience in conducting cold chain equipment inventory

• Experience in temperature monitoring systems implementation, and studies

• Experience in risk communication related to immunization

• Experience in SOP adaptation support

Competencies:

• Strong analytical, oral & written communication skills

• Experience in planning, budgeting and reporting

• Some expertise in adapting messages and visual aids to prepare concise, impactful presentations

• Good skills in coordination, facilitation with proven ability to assist in training a group of individuals

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team

Technical skills and knowledge on some or all of the following

• Proven experience working in multi-stakeholder settings

• Experience in developing inventories and cold chain rehabilitation and expansion plans

• Experience in writing funding proposals, developing multi-year budgets and operational plans for cold chain equipment management and temperature monitoring devices

• Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance

• Proven track record in interfacing with national ministries of health

• Proficiency in WHO PQS-listed cold chain equipment – Experience and knowledge on the Gavi CCE OP application documents and process

• Proficiency in the development of technical SOPs for cold chain equipment management is an advantage

Languages required:

• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required, along with fluency in either Sinhala (written and oral), or Tamil (written and oral).

 

Duration of the consultancy: 12 months

Duty station – Colombo (Home based)

Start date: May 2024

 

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents

Please complete your profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate (in LKR) to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable) 

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered  

 

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. 

 

Remarks:  

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. 

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

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