Closing date: 07 Mar 2016
1.Background
For over 40 years, UNICEF and partners have supported countries in the global drive to bring vaccines to the world’s most vulnerable children, defending their rights to survive and to be healthy. Immunization is one of the most powerful tools to end preventable child deaths, saving up to 3 million children a year. In the last 5 years, global immunization coverage has stagnated around 84%, leaving 19 million children unprotected every year. These children belong most likely to the poorest families, have the least access to health care and bear the largest burden of preventable diseases and deaths. An estimated 1.5 million unvaccinated children die each year from vaccine preventable diseases.
The Global Vaccine Action Plan aims at 90% coverage nationally and 80% in every districts and calls for recasting or Reaching Every District Approach to Reaching Every Community, with an emphasis of reaching marginalized communities with lifesaving vaccines. UNICEF along with its partners are fully engaged and support the goals outlined in the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP).
It is against the backdrop of persistent low coverage and inequities in immunization that UNICEF helps governments to refine strategies to address inequities and low coverage and ensure that all target populations, wherever they live and whatever their status, can access and choose to access these services.
2. Purpose
In this context, UNICEF New York Headquarters seeks to hire consultants to support National Immunization Programs and UNICEF CO teams in priority countries:
a. To facilitate a workshop to conduct an equity assessment and identify appropriate immunization strategies to address the inequities (see annex)
b. To review country’s microplanning guidelines and REC approach to incorporate the findings of the equity assessments and best practices from the country in RI and campaigns and other contexts as appropriate, pilot where necessary and subsequently reach agreement to include them in national plans (Annual EPI plan, cMYP, Health Sector Plan) and ensuring funding at scale through existing resources (government, donor (e.g. Gavi HSS)
c. To incorporate community approaches and communication for immunization strategies in the REC approach as appropriate, reach agreement to include them in national plans (Annual EPI plan, cMYP, Health Sector Plan) and ensuring funding at scale through existing resources (government, donor (e.g. Gavi HSS)
d. To review context specific training materials and job aids (to include interpersonal training) for healthcare workers and volunteers, and to build capacity in behavior change communication and community engagement at various government levels that will facilitate popular acceptance and utilization of RI services.
e. To review a supportive supervision guide and monitoring tool (which will also include monitoring of community engagement) and mechanisms to use them
f. To review or develop periodic review meeting guide to use data, analyse causes of bottlenecks and solutions at district level (monitoring for action, 5 whys, feasible solutions)
g. Build coaching and mentoring capacity among National EPI staff using the developed tools (microplanning, supportive supervision, monitoring, review meetings)
h. Explore sustainable financing of the strategies and roll-out plan (government funding, donor funding (Gavi HSS, etc)
i. Document lessons and review evidence in equity and immunization and Reaching Every Community (report and peer reviewed article)
3.Expected results: (measurable results)
a. Government owned equity assessment and review of immunization strategy
b. Revised microplanning guidelines and REC approach (ICC approved)
c. Supportive supervision guide and monitoring tool for use of government EPI staff
d. Training material and job aids
e. District review meeting guide for use of government EPI staff
f. Capacity building workshops and field visits for coaching and mentoring skills of EPI staff
g. Financing modalities for the strategies identified.
h. Document lessons in working paper and peer reviewed publication
The above described results will be delivered by an international consultant under direct supervision of the UNICEF immunization advisor in the country or at regional or HQ level, as priori agreed. All will closely coordinate with the RO, HQ and country’s EPI unit and C4D teams.
4.Duration: Provisional Start date: 22 March 2016 Provisional End date: 28 February 2017
Timeframe: up to 90 working days as requested by the priority country for the following deliverables.
Deliverables
Deliverable *)
# days
Government owned equity assessment and review of immunization strategy
15 days
30 June
Revised microplanning guidelines and REC approach (ICC approved)
10 days
30 June
Supportive supervision guide and monitoring tool for use of government EPI staff
5 days
30 Sep
Training material and job aids
15 days
30 Sep
District review meeting guide for use of government EPI staff, including field test
10 days
30 Sep
Capacity building workshops and field visits for coaching and mentoring skills of EPI staff
15 days
31 Dec
Financing modalities for the strategies identified
5 days
28 February 2017
Working paper and peer reviewed article
15 days
28 February 2017
Total Working Days
90 days
*) Depending of the country context and request and consultant’s expertise, specific deliverables will be reformulated before consultant’s deployment to the country, in agreement with the country office.
5.Key competences, technical background, and experience required:
· Advanced university degree (, Public Health, social science or other relevant field)
· At least 8 years of relevant Mid/Senior level experience, including immunization in developing countries
· Proven ability to facilitate workshops in developing country settings
· Proven writing experience and skills
· Proven excellence in developing presentations
· Fluent in English, fluency in French or Portuguese is an asset
How to apply:
How to Apply
Applicants are requested to send their submissions to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line:
“Immunization Consultant for Equity Assessments and Strategy Refinement**”** by 7th March 2016, 5:00pm EST.
Applications must include:
· Cover letter,
· CV, and
· P-11 form[1] -http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc
· Indicate where you heard about this advertisement
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.
NOTE: Files should not exceed 5.0MB limit
UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
[1] P 11 form can be downloaded from our website athttp://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc