Country: Georgia
Closing date: 21 Oct 2016
International consultant to assess the vaccine procurement system of Georgia
Background
Georgia's National Immunization Programme (NIP) within the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC&PH) remains a strong performer in the EURO region, with coverage against most of the antigens, being above 90%, as confirmed by WHO/UNICEF coverage estimates, disease surveillance and epidemiology. Routine childhood immunizations in Georgia are delivered according to the Public Health Law and the National immunization schedule (Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs (MoLHSA) Decree # 183/n, June 25, 2010).
As of 2015, the national immunization schedule provides vaccination against 12 infections: tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), measles, mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis, rotavirus, and pneumococcal infection. In 2015, the coverage against majority of the antigens exceeded the previous year coverage rates, although it did not meet the set targets of 95 %. In 2015, a number of districts in Georgia had relatively low performance with respect to DTP3 coverage, with 7 districts (10, 8 %) of the country's 65 districts achieving below 80 % coverage.
Vaccine procurement in Georgia is centralized and is managed by the finance and procurement departments of the NCDC&PH. Georgia widely uses the opportunity of purchasing vaccines through pooled mechanism and procures all routine vaccines through UNICEF Supply Division, except for hexavalent (which is not available through UNICEF). Vaccine funds are secured through use of a separate budget line. Adequate forecasting of vaccine needs is in place.
Joint appraisal of immunization in Georgia carried out in July 2015 indicated that during the review period, vaccine stores at all levels were experiencing stock outs of different vaccines, which was mainly a consequence of delays in vaccine procurement process. There was a lack of formal procedures ensuring that programmatic needs are driving the vaccine procurement and supply schedule. Based on the appraisal results the following recommendations have been made in the field of vaccine procurement:
Increase capacity of the national procurement agency to deal with vaccine products and vaccine markets and prepare efficient and sustainable procurement of new vaccines after GAVI support;
Conduct a comprehensive review of current vaccine procurement practices to identify existing bottlenecks and inefficiencies and propose solutions (UNICEF TA)
Continue building country's self-procurement capacities for vaccines purchased outside of UNICEF SD by improving knowledge on vaccine market dynamics, on evolution of vaccine prices and measures to increase procurement efficiency (WHO and UNICEF TA)
Conduct procurement-related training workshops (UNICEF and WHO TA)
Partners have agreed UNICEF to coordinate the vaccine procurement assessment in Georgia. Since Georgia is middle-income, self-procuring country planning to continue to conduct its own procurement, findings and recommendations of the assessment are expected to address the specific current bottlenecks in vaccine financing and supply, and advice government options to increase the efficiency of the procurement mechanism in the longer term.
Objectives of the assessment
The objectives of the vaccine procurement assessment are:
Perform an assessment of the vaccine procurement system, exploring the performance along the following functions:
Legal basis and infrastructure
Organization
Budgeting and finance
Forecasting
Procurement process
Delivery, distribution and cold chain
Quality assurance
Provide recommendations to restore the required supply levels in the short term, and to strengthen the procurement system in the longer term considering the country situation and vaccine market.
Provide an overview to the government focal points on the global vaccine market and procurement options, including the recent UNICEF initiative on new vaccine supply mechanisms for middle-income countries.
Discuss the recommendations with government focal points and partner agencies on a final debriefing meeting, and agree on follow-up actions and support.
Assessment team
The assessment team will be composed of the following members:
International consultant to UNICEF
National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) (2-3 persons)
Officers from UNICEF Georgia Country Office
Methodology and tools
The assessment will mainly follow the framework in WHO's Generic Vaccine Procurement Assessment Tool that have been used in other countries and regions (Annex 1).
Background information and documents will be shared with the team members in advance.
The team will meet with the following institutions and departments during the assessment:
Ministry of Health
Immunization programme management
Vaccine forecasting
Vaccine budgeting and financing
Vaccine procurement
Ministry of Finance
National Center for Disease and Public Health – NCDC (vaccine storage and distribution)
Interagency Coordination Committee (ICC)
UNICEF and WHO COs
CDC Atlanta
Any other person/unit as needed and agreed with Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs (MoLHSA)
Objective for the consultant
The international consultant will coordinate the preparations, lead the review team and consolidate final conclusions and recommendation for the debriefing as well as the final report of the vaccine procurement assessment in Georgia.
Tasks for the consultant
The consultant will be responsible for:
Providing overall technical guidance to the review team in adaptation of the assessment methodology and tools.
Assessing the vaccine procurement system in line with the tool and consolidating inputs from the other team members.
Consolidation of key findings and recommendations for presentation to MoLHSA and partner agencies.
Participating in the discussions with MoLHSA to strengthen vaccine procurement system and to agree on follow-up actions.
Preparing the report of the vaccine procurement assessment to be shared with UNICEF.
Time frame and deliverables
Start of contract: 12 November 2016
Preparatory work – 12-13 November 2016
Travel to Georgia – 13 September 2016
In-country work to conduct the assessment – 14 – 18 November 2016
Debriefing presentation including findings and recommendations – 18 November, 2016
Return travel from Georgia – 19 November, 2016
Out-of- country work to compile the draft report – 20-25 2016
Assessment report and end of contract– 25 November, 2016
EDUCATION
University degree; post-graduate education in a field related to this position or equivalent level of experience in vaccine procurement and vaccine procurement assessment.
SKILLS
At least 8 years of experience in vaccine procurement management and/or supply chain.
Excellent expertise in vaccine procurement strategies, techniques and procedure.
Demonstrated familiarity with the global vaccine market and procurement options.
Good knowledge of UN agency policies and role in procurement and supply.
Proven ability of conducting the consultancy in the field of vaccine procurement.
Experience in conducting capacity building activities.
Experience in working with UNICEF and other UN agencies will be an asset.
Strong computer skills and knowledge of the statistical and mapping software.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Location:
Tbilisi (home based with occasional travel might be possible)
DURATION AND MODE OF CONSULTANCY
The consultancy service is required for the duration of 14 days starting from November 12, 2016.
Required documentations for submission
Interested individual consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
Financial proposal (inclusive of the fee for the assignment and travel expenses)
Other materials that will demonstrate candidate's expertise in Vaccine Procurement Assessment.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
30% after submission of debriefing presentation including conclusions and recommendations
70 % after reception of draft assessment report
Deadline , COB 21 October 2016.
UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines (fees reduced due to late submission: 20 days - 10%; 1 month -20%; 2 months -30%; more 2 months – payment withhold). All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
How to apply:
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