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For every child, the right to, health

Jordan’s National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), established in 1979, originally covered five antigens (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP), and Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV)). The country achieved universal child immunization in 1988 and has been polio-free since 1995. Over the years, the EPI program has expanded to include 12 antigens, with plans underway for the introduction of additional new underutilized vaccines yet very important for child survival.

Jordan’s National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has made significant strides over the years, achieving high coverage across multiple antigens. Building on this success, the Ministry of Health (MoH), with support from Gavi and UNICEF, is introducing the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) into the National immunization programme, targeting children under one year of age.

To ensure a smooth and effective rollout, UNICEF is providing comprehensive technical assistance to strengthen the immunization system. This includes targeted capacity building, private sector engagement, and the activation of Community Health Committees to new vaccine introduction Messages to the beneficiaries. These efforts aim to not only support the introduction of PCV but also to drive sustainable improvements in routine immunization service delivery across the country.

While national strategies for the PCV rollout are well-defined, ensuring acceptance and uptake at the decentralized level remains critical. Health workers, parents, and caregivers especially in hard to reach and areas with limited access require adequate information, reassurance, and support to the new vaccine rollout.

Periodical analysis of routine immunization data revealed serious disparities/inequities in immunization performance across regions, with poorly performing health directorates such as Amman, Ma’an, Tafileh, Ramtha, and Zarqa requiring additional tailored technical support such as updating and reviewing of health facility focused micro-plans and mobile/outreach to address access and utilization challenges.

It is against the above backdrop, that a qualified national immunization consultant be hired to provide technical support selected poorly performing health directorates as well as work with EPI focal persons and MOH EPI team to build the capacity of health workers and private sector for the successful PCV rollout.

How can you make a difference? 

The scope of this assignment will encompass monitoring rollout activities for PCV across selected Health Directorates. of Amman, Balqa, Madaba and Zarqa in coordination with MoH and UNICEF; conducting structured interviews with health workers to understand their clinical knowledge on PCV, assessing vaccine availability, health-worker training status, and providing weekly updates that flag operational issues related to new vaccine introduction; collaborating with Health Directorate-level EPI officers to troubleshoot emerging issues; supporting the collection and reporting of PCV doses administered, dropout rates, and missed opportunities; and submitting detailed field visit reports with key findings and actionable recommendations. The consultant will support targeted/identified poorly performing health directorates of Amman, Ma’an, Tafileh, Ramtha, and Zarqa with focus on micro-planning and developing focused mobile and outreach strategies.

The Key deliverables are as follows:

• Technical support provided to immunization teams in health directorates for PCV introduction and integration into routine immunization.
• Monthly vaccine stock analysis reports developed and shared by the 15th of each month at the directorate level.
• MOH supported in analyzing collected data and preparing consolidated monthly progress reports, with special focus on underperforming directorates.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on multi-dose vial policy and immunization waste management rolled out in health directorates and facilities.
• Regular field visits conducted to health directorates and facilities for monitoring and supportive supervision.
• Follow-up and mentoring provided to directorate immunization focal persons on PCV introduction and performance improvement.
• Poorly performing directorates (Amman, Ma’an, Tafileh, Ramtha, and Zarqa) supported developing micro-plans and focused mobile/outreach strategies.
• Support any other work allocated/assigned by the supervisor or as per program priority.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A first university degree in Public Health or Diploma in Nursing, Public Health, Communication, Sociology, Cold chain logistics or any other related technical field.
• Work Experience: At least 3 years of relevant work experience in public health, particularly in planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring of EPI service delivery and logistics, including facility-based microplanning for immunization
• Skills : 
  • Effective presenter including ability to adapt the message and visual aids for multiple audiences to deliver concise, impactful presentations.
  • Effective facilitator with proven ability to engage and train a group of individuals (through an interpreter if necessary).
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team.
  • Good analytical skills and report writing skills.
  • Good interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in Arabic language is required.

Desirables:

• Training and experience in social welfare, or Immunization/health care is highly desirable.
• Proven experience working in multi-stakeholder and multi-cultural settings.
• Experience in training and mentoring health workers.
• Proven track record in working with ministries of health.   
• Reporting writing and data analysis.
• Prior experience working with a UN agency in immunization-related projects, particularly in areas of micro-planning, and supportive supervision, is an asset.
• Knowledge on new vaccine introduction
• Expertise in training and mentoring health workers in immunization.
• A good knowledge of Jordan’s EPI system
• Knowledge of Reaching Every District/every child (RED/REC) strategy Additional qualifying experience in cold chain maintenance will be an added advantage.
• Experience in knowledge management and developing dashboards.

Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.  The financial offer should be a lump sum for the whole assignment including Travel if applicable. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 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. 

This consultancy is for Jordanian nationals only.