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For every child, health!

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Timely and equitable immunization services are amongst the most cost-effective development interventions with sustained and long-term health and economic dividends for nations. An effective end-to-end vaccine stock management is at its core, ensuring life-saving vaccines are always available up to the last mile, coverage goals are met, and no child is left behind. However, at least one-third of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) each year experience one or more vaccine stockouts lasting for one month or more, including Uzbekistan. By reviewing annual government-reported supply chain indicators over the last ten years, LMICs have seen an increase in stockouts of at least one routine antigen from 30% in 2010 to 45% in 2019.

Sub-optimal stock management not only increases the operational and opportunity costs of vaccination but can also significantly broaden inequities and stagnating demand, specifically affecting underserved, urban poor, insecure and hard-to-reach populations. In 2022-2023, UNICEF provided targeted assistance to improve management practices, conduct effective vaccine management assessment, introduce and roll out new COVID-19 vaccines, update training materials, carry out temperature mapping, installation of the remote temperature monitoring system (RTMS) at 21 cold stores.

Notwithstanding the concentrated effort to strengthen vaccine management in 2022-2023, there are still some areas for improvement and innovations that need to be fostered in 2025: introduction of the Visibility for Vaccine (ViVa) and Traceability and Verification System (TRVST); capacity building of EPI staff; updating SOPs and training materials, etc.

To strengthen the stock management and vaccine forecasting capacity of MOH, UNICEF developed the Visibility for Vaccines (ViVa) tool, which is a stock monitoring dashboard that visualize the pipeline of vaccine orders and forecasts, enabling country governments to identify risks of stock-out or overstocking and take corrective action before they occur.

In 2025, UNICEF plans to strengthen its support to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and relevant national authorities by engaging in various initiatives aligned with Vision 2030. These efforts will encompass key areas such as the supply of cancer drugs, procurement of nutritional supplements, and broader health system strengthening. To proactively address stock management challenges and enhance supply chain efficiency, UNICEF aims to operationalize electronic supply chain management platforms. Additionally, it will work to ensure that national and subnational authorities—including the MOH, the National Logistics Working Group (NLWG), and the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) office—have the necessary capacity to effectively receive, store, distribute, and monitor vaccines and other critical health commodities. To support these efforts, UNICEF requires an international vaccine and supply chain management specialist who will provide technical assistance to the Government, reinforcing capacity-building efforts and ensuring the sustainability of supply chain operations.

Scope of Work:
Under the supervision of the Immunization Officer, the consultant will proactively address stock management challenges and ensure relevant national and subnational authorities (MOH/NLWG/EOC/National EPI office) have adequate capacity to receive, store, distribute and monitor vaccines and other health commodities.

Within the technical area of Vaccine Management, the consultant will support MOH to:

• Train MOH’s national logistics working group to coordinate vaccine management and ancillary products deployment;
• Assess MOH’s dry storage and cold chain capacity based on the existing inventory at all levels and develop a plan for filling the identified supply and logistics gaps (ref global guidance);
• Identify the potential port(s) of entry, points of storage (stores), and facilities with their respective cold chain storage for the potential vaccine (2-8C, -20C, -60/70C) and transportation capacity for vaccines and ancillary products;
• Update MOH’s vaccine stock management tools, operating procedures, and information system to reflect the characteristics of new vaccines (i.e vial size, QR code. barcode); and prepare a dashboard with vaccine stock trends and its evaluation in regard to minimum and maximum quantities for every supply chain level.
• Adapt the training materials and guidelines for new vaccine introduction, including vaccine traceability, reverse logistics, and accountability framework, and conduct trainings;
• Support the country to make use of VIVA platform by entering monthly data and at the same time reporting to THRIVE 360 to enable stakeholders evaluate the vaccine stock trends and take actions.

Tasks under the technical area COLD CHAIN EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT:

• Provide technical support in the area of temperature management, which includes: repeating a temperature mapping study in the vaccine cold rooms in selected regions using the WHO tool (protocol, training, data analysis) and building national capacity to conduct future studies.
• Follow up with recommendations and repeat the tests where major repairs have been done, or repeat tests in other seasons in comparison with the previous tests and complete the missing tests for equipment performance qualification (such as cool down and holdover tests).
• Coordinate a temperature monitoring study in the vaccine distribution routes in selected regions using the WHO protocol and the UNICEF guide (temperature monitoring handbook) and build national capacity to conduct future studies
• Support the development and deployment of guidance, training materials and SOPs to ensure adoption and sustained use of the system by health workers and managers
• Implementation of remote temperature monitoring systems (RTMS) and data management processes
• Support user training for vaccinators and cold store managers to ensure proper vaccine handling, storage, distribution, and compliance with cold chain protocols
• Contribute to the development of trainings manual and job aids for users
• Provide inputs for the development and endorsement of the Cold Chain Equipment Management Information System and Vaccine Transport Management Information System
• Assist with developing a sustainability plan for immunization-related modules of HMIS

Key Tasks under HEALTH SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT:

• Internal Control & SOPs: Develop a framework defining roles/responsibilities across the supply chain.
• Real-Time Asset Tracking: Implement digital tools to track humanitarian aid, technical assistance, and grant-funded supplies.
• Last-Mile Distribution Solutions: Deploy digital innovations for efficient vaccine and health commodity delivery.
• Childhood Cancer Support: Facilitate cancer drug procurement through UNICEF.
• Health Equipment Maintenance SOPs: Support the MOH in developing health equipment maintenance guidelines.
• MOH Staff Training: Conduct training on warehousing, inventory management, customs clearance, and distribution logistics.

Work Assignments Overview - Deliverables/Outputs - Timeline

1. Develop a consultancy workplan articulating linkages with the work of VLMIS, RTMD, EIR to ensure synergies, as well as a draft consultancy report layout. Consultancy workplan developed 10 days
2. Provide monthly vaccine accountability reports, including stock receipts, distribution, utilization, and wastage rates, developed, and shared with NLWG and UNICEF country and regional offices. Monthly vaccine stock reports provided 10 days
3. Update and revalidate Supply Chain and Cold Chain Management sections of the National Immunization Strategy (NIS) NIS are updated semi-annually 10 days
4. Support NLWG to effectively plan the arrivals, storage, temperature monitoring and control during storage, distribution, and redistribution of routine vaccines. Consultancy reports provided 10 days
5. Review SOPs and training materials on vaccine and supply chain management, RTMS, ViVa platform, TRVST, etc., and provide training to EPI staff. SOPs updated, and training reports provided 20 days
6. Training and capacity building of EPI staff on vaccine and supply chain management. Training reports 10 days
7. Develop of a framework for standard Supportive Supervision Visits. Develop of the SS SOP, checklist, and feedback reporting form. Framework, SOP, Checklist 10 days
8. Guidance for evaluation and adjustments of existing Key Performance Indicators of the EPI and PHC. Updated KPIs
   10 days
9. Provide technical support in temperature management, including conducting a temperature mapping study in the vaccine cold rooms in selected countries using WHO tool (protocol, training, data analysis) and building national capacity to conduct future studies. Temperature mapping report is provided and action plan on improvement is developed 10 days
10. Contribute to country Improvement Plan from EVM. Follow up with the action points relevant to vaccine and supply chain strengthening and staff capacity building. Updated cIP 10 days
11. Contribute to the reporting to partners/donors/UNICEF Reports
    5 days
12. Assessing further needs and development of recommendations for sustainability Lessons learned and recommendations in the reports/final report 5 days
13. Develop Internal Control Framework & SOPs Framework & SOPs defining supply chain roles/responsibilities 20 days
14. Support implementation of the real-time asset tracking system TORs for digital platform for tracking aid and supplies 5 days
15. Support deployment of digital solutions for last-mile distribution TORs on digital tools for vaccine and health commodity distribution 5 days
16. Provide technical support to Childhood Cancer Drug Procurement Platform Procured essential cancer drugs through UNICEF 10 days
17. Support Health Equipment Maintenance SOPs Health Equipment Maintenance SOPs developed and validated 10 days
18. Train MOH Staff on Supply Chain Management Training sessions conducted, staff trained on logistics & inventory 20 days

Total 190 days

Travel International: Round trip from home to duty station

Travel Local: The consultant will be required to travel once a month (10 in total) to the fields to monitor vaccine management, and provide training/supportive supervision

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

• University degree is required (Advanced degree an advantage), preferably in relevant field (e.g., business
  planning, supply chain management, economics, international development studies, medicine, procurement, logistics, or another quantitative degree). Relevant work experience can substitute in cases where a university degree is not aligned with a relevant field.
• At least (8) years of experience in international public health programme management including at least
  three (3) years in immunization, with experience in low- and middle-income countries, preferably in the
  areas of: Logistics management systems; Supply chain bottleneck and root cause analysis; Familiarity with inventory policies, allocation, ordering and distribution strategies and other supply chain operations; Health systems strengthening; Assessing and measuring supply chain performance; Experience interfacing with national ministries of health is an advantage.
• Fluency in written and spoken in English and the knowledge of Russian or Uzbek is an added value.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Proven experience in strategic negotiations and planning in multi-stakeholder settings
• Experience in writing complex strategic proposals, and developing multi-year operational plans Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance
• Effective presenter, including ability to adapt the message and visual aids for multiple audiences to deliver concise, impactful presentations
• Knowledge of supply chain management and operations
• Excellent analysis skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Proven track record in interfacing with national ministries of health a distinct advantage

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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.