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Immunization supply chain is the backbone of  the  immunization programme. An intact and responsive supply chain ensures the availability of the potent and safe vaccines for the vaccination sessions for the children and pregnant women. The cold chain infrastructure not only ensures the safety and potency of the vaccine but also expands the reach of the programme. Investments in the cold chain infrastructure and immunization supply chain are crucial for achieving the global and regional targets. 

The entry of the COVID-19 vaccines to respond to the pandemic and planned introduction of new vaccines in routine immunization overburdened the immunization supply chain, especially the cold chain infrastructure. Therefore, towards achieving high immunization coverage the need for a robust and responsive immunization supply chain equipped with standard cold chain equipment are important in helping Ukraine primarily to reaching children with potent lifesaving vaccines to protect them against vaccine preventable diseases as well as ensuring the availability of C19 vaccines. UNICEF, with the support of donors has updated and expanded the cold chain infrastructure in the country for ensuring the reach of the programme and reducing the “Zero Dose Children” and under vaccinated children in the country.   

Purpose of assignment:

UNICEF Ukraine Country Office is supporting the MoH in strengthening immunization supply chain with expanding the Cold Chain Infrastructure with PQS qualified cold chain equipment (CCE), ensuring better vaccine management. 

To ensure vaccines safety during storage, transportation and distribution, UNICEF is updating and expanding the cold chain infrastructure by increasing the storage capacity at national, regional and subregional levels, while also replacing the currently used domestic refrigerators for the storage of the vaccines with WHO prequalified equipment in 4,000 health care facilities.  UNICEF CO is implementing the following components: 

• Procurement and delivery of CCE (WICRs/WIFRs, refrigerators, freezers, spare sets, 30-day temperature loggers, remote temperature monitoring system); 

• In-country logistics;  

• CCE installation and training;  

• Inventory of the current situation on CCE with site readiness evaluation and implementation IGA platform as well as UNICEF Dashboard updating to ensure proper cold chain management; 

• Capacity building activities including training on proper use of CCE (uploading of vaccine, unloading, transportation and temperature monitoring); 

• Providing technical support to the programme managers at oblast, rayon, and facility levels;  

• Development, support with implementing of SOPs on proper vaccine storage and management using novel CCE.

With the expanded support from the donors, there activity continues with procurement of more cold chain equipment, installation and capacity building of the staff concerned with vaccine and cold chain handling. The successful implementation of the additional scope of work requires the presence of the consultants for the identification and preparation of the site for cold chain installation, capacity building of the vaccine and cold chain handlers as well as updating the cold chain inventory, trouble shooting in case of any cold chain related issue as well as monitor the vaccine and cold chain related practices.

Keeping view the geographical spread and the workload, the programme has considered hiring three national consultants and assigning these consultants to the following regions:    

1. Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattya, Volyn, Rivne, Khmelnytsky, Ternopil, Chernivtsi; 

2. Kyiv region, Kyiv city, Chernihiv, Sumy, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Kharkiv, Poltava, Donetsk, Luhansk;  

3. Dnipro, Zaporizhya, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kirovograd, Kherson, Vinnytsya.  

Under the general direction of the UNICEF country office and the PHC/MOH, the consultant will provide relevant technical support to their respective regions at the levels of primary health care facilities, primary health care centers and regional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:  

• Regular monitoring and evaluation of cold chain infrastructure, including CCE capacity, dry stores, site readiness, transport/logistics and staff responsible for storage and transportation of vaccines. Providing timely reports on projects activities, gaps, and bottlenecks to be addressed. 

• Technical consultation and other relevant support to the health facility staff in their respective regions regarding procured cold chain equipment including active and passive cooling equipment, temperature monitoring system, refrigerated vehicles for the transportation of vaccines and injection safety devices. 

• Providing technical consultations to PHC/MoH/rCDC, relevant health care facilities, local authorities, counterparts in collaboration with UNICEF field offices, Ukraine CO, Supply Division concerning complaints, claims and other technical issues with procured CCE.  

• Consulting and controlling the quality delivery of cold chain equipment (CCE) and other related equipment verifying the compliance and providing recommendations. 

• Monitor and supervise the installation, handover, and commissioning of the CCE in accordance with the requirements            and procedures set by the organization. 

• Updating the CCE inventory and UNICEF CCE Dashboard on a regular basis and site readiness for CCE installation according to the requirements.  

• Consult the local level cold stores by preparing recommendations based on the Effective Vaccine Management guidelines, as well as identifying gaps based on data and evidence for capacity building of staff on vaccine and cold chain management. 

• Training on proper use of CCE (uploading of vaccine, unloading, vaccine placement in CCE, transportation, temperature monitoring). 

• Monitoring visits to health care facilities and vaccination points, preparation reports on supplied equipment, knowledge and skills of trained personnel at using cold chain equipment and temperature monitoring devices, actions in emergency situations and providing on-the job training to the staff. 

• Monthly reporting on the work done in accordance with the agreed workplan.   

• Minimum 3-year work experience in relevant work area, experience in managing public health programs and/or cold chain and vaccine management will be an asset.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of MOH of Ukraine in vaccine and cold chain management  
• Knowledge of WHO/UNCIEF recommended vaccine and cold chain management practices and assessment tools will be an asset. 
• Work experience in resource-limited settings, monitoring and evaluating supply chains, and risk management and mitigation will be an asset. 
• Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills, with ability to lead/train a group of individuals and impart knowledge. 
• Experience in conducting trainings, seminars, good trainer skills is required. 

• Product knowledge on cold chain equipment, new cold chain technologies and understanding of the principles of vaccine management, and reporting are essential. Knowledge of procurement processes and good distribution practice will be an asset. 
• Skills in adult training methodology are strongly preferred. 
• Technical skills.
• Working with People.
• Drive for results.

For every Child, you demonstrate…