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UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, health 

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Background:

Nigeria is implementing a national Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign targeting a projected 102,539,762 children aged 9 months to 14 years. This will be followed by the introduction of the Measles Rubella vaccine into the routine immunization schedule to be administered at 9 months and 15 months of age. Nigeria has also introduced the Human Papillomavirus vaccine into its routine immunization schedule in 2023-24 for girls aged 9 years. However, the uptake is still suboptimal for measles and HPV vaccines in the routine programme. Lessons from past campaigns, including the introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2023/2024, evidenced parental concerns, adolescent disengagement, inadequate school engagement, and poor community acceptance in some states due to lack of knowledge, rumours, and misinformation played a key role in suboptimal performance. Therefore, it is paramount to integrate the HPV vaccine intensification with the upcoming MR introduction campaign as well as there is a need for strong community engagement to address possible barriers, minimize refusals of the MR and HPV vaccines, to improve uptake of measles rubella and HPV vaccines in target states.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Assignment: 

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and a distinctive maculopapular rash. It can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in young children and immunocompromised individuals, is the leading cause of death among young children worldwide. On the other hand, Rubella, also known as German measles, typically causes mild illness in children and adults, however, Rubella infection during pregnancy can result in severe birth defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).

Nigeria has recently experienced an increase in Rubella cases, with the virus identified in over 30% of suspected measles cases. This situation presents a critical opportunity to address the high prevalence of Rubella and enhance protection against the virus. The introduction of the MR (Measles-Rubella) vaccine not only tackles Rubella but also improves overall campaign effectiveness by reducing the frequency of immunisation campaigns required in the future. By simultaneously protecting against both measles and rubella, the MR vaccine eliminates the need for separate vaccination campaigns for each disease. This dual protection streamlines processes and allows for consolidation of resources and efforts. With the current shift towards integrated campaigns, the MR vaccine provides a unique opportunity to effectively integrate with other public health campaigns to maximise resources and coverage.

Scope of Work:

Under the joint supervision of UNICEF Health Manager (Immunization) and Health Specialist (iSCM), the consultant will work with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Non-Polio Supplementary Immunization Activities (NPSIA) units to ensure the vaccine and logistics management is optimized at national, state, LGA and service delivery levels for the integrated MR campaign. The focus of the assignment will include:

1.Facilitate a comprehensive cold chain inventory and cold chain assessment demonstrate the readiness at national, state, LGA and Health facility levels.

2.Post readiness assessment gap analysis and develop and execute the mitigation plan for CCE, vaccines and logistics for the integrated MR campaign

3.Facilitate the planning, distribution and re-deployment of cold chain equipment including the passive containers before the campaign.

4. Analysis of MR vaccine forecast, and vaccine need data, disaggregated up to the service delivery level and plan timely distribution of MR vaccines and logistics

5. Support the NPSIA, National Logistics Working Group (NLWG) and the Zonal and State Logistics working Groups (ZLWG and SLWG), UNICEF Filed Officers on implementation of the MR vaccine and logistic working groups operation plan for MR campaign

Work Assignments Overview

1. Analysis of cold chain readiness assessment data, develop the distribution and re-deployment plan of the cold chain equipment and passive containers.

Gather vaccine and device stock data and storage capacity data from national stores and develop the phased distribution plan.

Capacity building, training of VMS, MR consultants, VSLs on microplanning and vaccine management

Deliverables/Outputs:

Availability of readiness assessment report, distribution plan, stock report, storage capacity report, training materials, training report etc.

2. Facilitate the distribution of phase-1 state vaccines & logistics for integrated MR campaign.

Track the distribution of phase-1 state vaccines & logistics for integrated MR campaign from State to LGA and to service delivery levels.

Facilitate and track distribution and redeployment of active and passive cold chain equipment to all states, LGAs and Health facilities.

Facilitate and track distribution of waste management materials and funds to all health facilities.

Programme visit to phase-1 states to monitor vaccine management

Deliverables/Outputs:

Open LMIS report, distribution report, programme monitoring report.

3.Account for the MR vaccines deployed for phase 1 through vials counts, data reviews for utilization and vial balances

Track and report on waste management after the phase-1 campaign as per the national plan.

Analysis of vaccine forecast, and vaccine & logistics need data, disaggregated up to the service delivery level of the phase-2 states and develop distribution plan

Track vaccine stock analysis and transition from MCV to MR vaccines in phase-1 states

Deliverables/Outputs:

Vaccine Utilization report (VUR), Vaccine Accountability Report (VAR)

State waste disposal report

Vaccine & logistics distribution plan for phase2 available, Switch plan from MCV to MR is available.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Terms of Reference_MR Vaccine management Consultant.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Advanced University degree is required in supply chain management, epidemiology, public health, industrial engineering, economics, logistics, business, operations management, physical sciences and any other relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience, at the national and international levels, on immunization supply chain management, cold chain management, monitoring and evaluation, logistics or operations management and at least 3 years of experience on immunization/public health programs.
• Familiarity with vaccines and supplies stock management practices, cold chain systems, effective vaccine management, inventory policies, logistics, outsourcing, segmentation strategies, integration of health products, and other system design strategies.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas. Experience conducting similar study in low and middle-income countries is an advantage.
• Good writing and communication skills.
• Computer skills, including strong quantitative analysis and reporting tools.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural, inclusive and diverse environment.
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French would be considered an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others  

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.