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Consultancy Title: Immunization Catch-up Programme Management and Coordination Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Health Programme Group, Immunization Section, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: December 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

 

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the delivery of essential immunization services, leading to declines in childhood vaccination coverage, population immunity gaps, and increasing the risk and occurrence of vaccine preventable disease outbreaks. To tackle the issue, throughout 2022 and 2023 UNICEF and WHO advocated and provided technical support to countries to develop and implement essential immunization catch-up plans aiming to reach children who missed their vaccines with all the required antigens. In 2024, UNICEF has been working in close collaboration with WHO and Gavi secretariat to support the finalization of catch-up plans and vaccine forecasts, the allocation of resources in support of countries, the procurement and delivery of catch-up doses, the development of monitoring and learning agenda, and the deployment of technical support for implementation and monitoring of catch-up activities with focus on vaccine and cold chain management, demand, monitoring. By September 2024, the planning for the Big Catch-up in countries has been completed and the Gavi-approved envelop has been fully allocated. BCU initiative transitioned into the accelerated implementation and implementation monitoring phase.

The implementation, monitoring and reporting on the Big Catch-up activities require strong coordination and project management across levels and teams within UNICEF and with partners (WHO, Gavi secretariat, others). Having assessed the scope of work required for BCU coordination and project management and the existing capacities within UNICEF, PG/Immunization identified a need for a consultant to support this area and associated monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge management support.

Against this backdrop, UNICEF PG/Immunization seeks the services of the individual consultant who will work under the supervision of the Senior Health Advisor and Lead of Immunization Strategy and Management and in close consultation with the Senior Health Advisor (BCU focal point) in Coverage and Equity unit, as well as various BCU focal points in PG Health, DAPM, SD, to fulfill the scope of work as described below.

Scope of Work:

Support coordination with key stakeholders (Gavi secretariat, WHO HQ, Regional Working Groups, and other partners) through the established platforms such as Global BCU Task Team, global calls with RWGs, other relevant platforms by contributing to the development of agenda and background documents and following up on the relevant action points from the interagency meetings.

Support UNICEF internal BCU coordination, monitoring and reporting through the organization of regular calls across relevant UNICEF teams at HQ, RO, CO levels, supported by a structured agenda and background documentation. Develop and maintain a filing system, including an action tracker and follow-up on action points from the calls. Organize internal dissemination calls and capacity building sessions on relevant topics to support timely and quality implementation of BCU activities in line with UNICEF’s roles and responsibilities within Gavi alliance.

Support the implementation monitoring and reporting on the progress of Big Catch-up implementation with focus on UNICEF’s roles and responsibilities. Design process and tools and implement analysis on BCU implementation progress for periodic and ad-hoc reporting within UNICEF and with key stakeholders at the global level. As relevant, design, analyse and package rapid surveys to understand UNICEF’s view/position, approaches, challenges, insights on selected BCU issues of concern to UNICEF and key stakeholders. Collate and package data and analysis for stakeholder engagements, including through collaboration with Gavi secretariat and WHO HQ in preparation of updates for Gavi governance and coordination forums (ACT, APPT, PPC, Board, etc.).

Develop a cross-Alliance risk monitoring and management matrix to inform regular monitoring and support timely identification, escalation, and management of risks associated with the BCU implementation. Develop and implement orientation and capacity building sessions on identification and escalation of risks across Alliance partners and levels (global, regional, country). Collect and analyse relevant data to identify risks on regular basis. Monitor, identify and escalate risks for management attention within UNICEF and for the interagency BCU Task Team.

In collaboration with UNICEF monitoring, evaluation and learning focal points from PG/Health/Immunization and DAPM develop, support the implementation and monitoring of the UNICEF Action Plan by capturing and documenting the learning from the Big Catch-up implementation for selected countries and thematic areas (e.g. supply and vaccine chain management) supported by UNICEF.

In consultation with UNICEF Immunization Knowledge Management Officer, organize and maintain the filing system for the Big Catch-up initiative. Develop and implement orientation and capacity building sessions on identification and escalation of risks across Alliance partners and levels (global, regional, country).

Design and conduct the analysis of existing and new/non-traditional (e.g. private sector) stakeholders for immunization programmes in Africa with potential to accelerate progress on the continent. Summarize, validate and finalize the findings of the analysis as part of UNICEF’s broader Review of Immunization in Africa and in support of continental strategy on immunization. Follow-up on the implementation on selected/prioritized interventions.:

 

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, Monitoring & Reporting.

Initial Deliverables: Agendas and background documents for BCU interagency and internal coordination calls. (Expected meetings are between 15 -20 per quarter). Action tracker for BCU interagency meetings and internal coordination calls established and maintained. Cross-Alliance BCU risk monitoring and management matrix developed and adopted for action. UNICEF BCU filing system established and functioning, including resources for orientation and capacity building. Analysis of existing and new stakeholders for accelerating immunization programmes in Africa conducted as part of broader Review of Immunization in Africa.

Deadline: 28 February 2025

Interim Deliverables (1): Up-to-date BCU action tracker, risk monitoring and management matrix, and filing system. Initial data analysis report capturing insights from UNICEF performance in BCU implementation. Decks for quarterly BCU updates for internal and external communication. 1-2 orientation/capacity building sessions focusing on identified gaps. Up to 2 case studies of in-country BCU progress, covering service delivery and/or system’s strengthening results. Findings of Stakeholder Analysis for accelerating immunization programmes in Africa disseminated and follow-up action plan developed.

Deadline: 30 May 2025

Interim Deliverables (2): Up-to-date BCU risk management tracker, action tracker, and filing system. Consolidated report documenting lessons learned from BCU implementation, including key insights and recommendations. 1 additional case study of in-country BCU progress, covering service delivery and/or system’s strengthening results. Decks for quarterly BCU updates for internal and external updates. Selected/prioritized recommendations from Stakeholder Analysis for accelerating immunization programmes in Africa followed-up and progress documented.

Deadline: 31 August 2025

Interim Deliverables (3): Up-to-date BCU risk management tracker, action tracker, and filing system. Consolidated report documenting lessons learned from BCU implementation, including key insights and recommendations. 1 additional case study of in-country BCU progress, covering service delivery and/or system’s strengthening results. 1-2 orientation/capacity building sessions focusing on identified gaps. Decks for quarterly BCU updates for internal and external communication.

Deadline: 30 November 2025

Final Deliverables: Final up-to-date filing system with comprehensive set of agendas, background documents, and action tracker for all interagency and internal meetings. Comprehensive final report on BCU progress with focus on UNICEF’s contribution to results. One brown bag session to disseminate the learnings from BCU implementation.

Deadline: 31 December 2025

Travel – occasional 1-2 travels to HQ, regions, or selected countries to participate in reviews and documentation missions may be required.

 

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Masters) in the area of public health, epidemiology, health economics, international health relations, or related degree.

 

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• At least five years of professional experience in public health, health programme management, health stakeholder management and coordination at global and/or regional level, preferably linked to immunization programmes.
• Experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, monitoring, learning & evaluation in the area of immunization.
• Familiarity with IA2030, Gavi, and UNICEF immunization programming.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including advanced PowerPoint/design skills.
• Strong analytical skills and experience conducting rapid surveys, and synthesizing information from multiple sources.
• Ability to use data management and analysis software, and digital tools for data visualization (i.e., ArcGIS, Tableau) is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and effectively collaborate across multiple teams.
• Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is required. Good knowledge of French, Spanish or another UN language is a strong asset.

 

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

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:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.