National consultant for Immunization supply chain, Kigali Rwanda, 12 months – Based in EPI/ Rwanda Biomedical Center (For Rwandan Nationals ONLY) at United Nations Children’s Fund: (Deadline 21 June 2024)

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.

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For every child, Health

To learn more about UNICEF career and the work in Rwanda, please visit the country website https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/RWA/ or watch this video about UNICEF work in Rwanda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7B91m5Yzoc and UNICEF Careers | UNICEF Careers.

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1. Background:

Immunization is one of the most cost-effective interventions available to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), particularly in children. Rwanda is implementing the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) and the Gavi 5.0 strategy for 2021-25.  UNICEF is supporting MOH/RBC to reach some of the objectives including:

• Secure high-quality supply chains for vaccines and related commodities and effective vaccine management, within the primary health care supply system.
• Strengthen immunization information within a robust health information system and promote use of high-quality, “fit-for-purpose” data for action at all levels.
• Establish and maintain a well-functioning vaccine safety system involving all stakeholders.

UNICEF Rwanda and MOH/RBC Conducted the Effective Vaccine Management Assessment (EVMA) concluded in January 2024; although the score reached 87%, the assessment showed gaps in the supply chain and logistics at all levels including the central vaccines store and facility levels. From the analysis of data from 137 facilities with high precision a 5-year comprehensive improvement plan was developed and costed.

In view of the above, UNICEF seeks a consultant to work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) to monitor and support the implementation the EVMA recommendations and the comprehensive improvement plan. The consultant will focus on all EVM activities planned in the comprehensive Improvement Plan(cIP) for 2024-2025, the implementation of ongoing Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Plan (CCEOP) and maintain the ongoing achievement at all levels.

2. Purpose of the consultancy:

The purpose of the consultancy is to support MOH/RBC to implement the EVMA recommendations through the cIP by working with the EPI team and the National Logistic Working Group (NLWG) to monitor the progress and provide accurate reports for national and global level use. The specific objectives of this assignment are to:

• Support, monitor and report the implementation of EVMA-cIP at all levels of the health system in Rwanda
• Support, Monitor, and report the implementation of the CCEOP
• Collate, collect data and report on immunization supply chain for use

Key Tasks:

EVMA-cIP implementation and reporting:

1. Monitor and ensure the seamless implementation of the EVM-cIP and regularly update the NLWG on the implementation status and progress of EVM-cIP.

2. Support the development of SOPs identified as missing by the EVMA reports

3. Ensure vaccines potency by conducting regular temperature mapping/studies at the CVs to assess the effectiveness of cold chain management practices.

4. Ensure the operationalization of the sub-national logistic working groups with close and regular supportive supervision

CCEOP implementation

5.Review the operational deployment plan (ODP) to prevent deviations and ensure alignment with project objectives.

6.Facilitate real-time customs clearance processes to minimize delays in equipment procurement.

7. Monitor the distribution, the installation and post installation supervision and provide final report

8. Monitor the implementation of vaccination at Health Posts levels to ensure effective vaccine management at that level

9. Provide pre- and post-implementation supervision of the CCEOP to ensure smooth execution and adherence to quality standards

Collate, collect data and report on immunization supply chain for use

10. Utilize the Vaccine Management Information System (VMIS) to monitor stock management at central and district health levels, ensuring vaccine availability down to the last mile.

11.Conduct supportive supervision visits to assess vaccine stock management effectiveness through VMIS.

12. Monitor temperature management practices to ensure optimal performance of cold chain equipment at all levels of the immunization supply chain

13. Support vaccine forecasting at all levels and submit monthly report of vaccine stock management to UNICEF

14. Conduct regular analysis of immunization supply chain data for decision making to improve immunization system for quality immunization services at all levels.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

• EVMA-cIP implementation and reporting
• CCOP Implementation and data collection and report on immunization supply chain for use.

Deliverables/Outputs:

Payment 1: 20%

1. Annual implementation plan of the EVM-cIP developed and discussed in  the NLWG. To be completed by 30 August 2024
2. EVM SOPs developed and submitted to the NLWG for approval. To be completed by 30 August 2024

Payment 2: 20%

3. Temperature mapping/studies conducted and reports available. To be completed by 30 October 2024
4. Sub-national logistic working groups supportive supervision conducted and quarterly- reports submitted to the NLWG. To be completed by 30 October 2024

Payment 3: 20%

5. National annual Vaccine forecasting timely conducted and monthly report of vaccine stock management to UNICEF. To be completed by 30 December 2024
6. The CCEOP- ODP review meeting organized in preparation of the CCEOP implementation- through NLWG and sub-NLWG. To be completed by 30 December 2024
7. Vaccine stock management reported using e-VLMIS by monthly basis. To be completed by 30 December 2024

Payment 4: 20%

8. Quarterly monitoring report with status of the implementation of vaccination at health posts to ensure effective vaccine management at that level. To be completed by 28 February 2025
9. Bi-annual data reports on immunization supply chain   available for decision making to improve immunization system for quality immunization services at all levels. To be completed by 30 March 2025

Payment 5: 20%

10. e-LMIS supportive supervision conducted, and temperature management practices monitored, and mentorship conducted to ensure optimal performance of cold chain equipment at all levels of the immunization supply chain- monthly reports reported trough NLWG. To be completed by 30 June 2025
11. CCEOP Real-time customs clearance processed, and distribution plan approved. To be completed by 30 June 2025
12. Distribution, installation and post installation supervision conducted with approved installation report. To be completed by 30 June 2025
13. CCEOP implementation final report including quality standards ranking. To be completed by 30 June 2025
14. Final report. To be completed by 30 June 2025

Duration and Location

The consultancy will be for 12 months from July 2024 to June 2025 and the consultant will be based in RBC.

Selection Criteria

Applications shall be assessed based on their technical and financial proposals. Maximum scores for technical and financial applications will be 75% and 25%, respectively.

Successful candidates in technical evaluation will be requested to send their most competitive, all-inclusive financial proposals.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, vaccine supply chain management
• Five or more years of working experience in the field of vaccine and cold chain management.
• Technical knowledge and expertise in the Gavi Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform Application
• Technical knowledge and experience in vaccine stock management and cold chain maintenance (including EVM assessment methodologies as per WHO and UNICEF guidelines).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality results within specified timelines.
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is required. Knowledge of French and Kinyarwanda is an asset.

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: 

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.