TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position Title:Level:
Location:
Duration:
Start Date:
Reporting to: / International Consultant for EVM Improvement Plan-SSA
L-3
Kigali, Rwanda
3 months
November 2015
UNICEF Rwanda, Child Survival and Development Section-Health Unit
1. Background and Purpose
Rwanda is one of the countries in Africa with high immunization coverage and an efficient EPI system. Rwanda’s vaccine preventable diseases program, one of the units in the Maternal, child and community health (MCCH) division of RBC within Ministry of Health, has maintained routine immunization coverage above 90% for all antigens since 2005, including the newly introduced vaccines. The 2014/2015 Demographic and Health Survey report showed a fully immunized status of 93%. The country is still pioneering most African countries in the introduction of new vaccines like PCV13, Rotavirus, MR and HPV and now planning to introduce Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) and switch from tOPV to bOPV to Routine Immunization in 2016.
The EPI programme is currently managing 12 antigens in its immunization programme. The standalone measles vaccine is no longer being used in the country, the Measles and Rubella vaccine is used for both contacts; at 9 months and at 15 months of age. Following the successful introduction of 4 new vaccines in 5 years, the need for cold chain capacity has progressively increased.
According to UNICEF, it is recommended to conduct an Effective Vaccine Management Assessment (EVMA) every 3 years or every time a country is planning to introduce a new vaccine. For Rwanda an EVMA was conducted in June 2014 following the one of 2011 and an improvement plan has been developed for both health facilities and central cold and dry stores are being implemented accordingly. As Rwanda will introduce Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in routine immunization program in 2016 and switch t-OPV to b-OPV, there are a lot of requirement to support immunization program both programmatic support supply chain, routine immunization and financial support.
The team from MoH/RBC together with UNICEF have found necessary to develop this ToR for the consultant to support training of staffs on vaccine preventable disease including logistic management information system (LMIS), conduct temperature monitoring study based on WHO/UNICEF standard protocols and capacity building on the use of SOP and contingency plan and clarify all deliverables that will be in place at the end of consultancy period. The time frame for the consultancy period is three months starting November 2015 up to January 2016.
2. Justification
Rwanda is planning to introduce IPV to routine immunization program in 2016. To facilitate the smooth introduction of the new vaccine and switch from t-OPV to b-OPV, MoH/RBC has requested UNICEF to provide international technical assistance for the Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) improvement plan, capacity building and temperature monitoring study, before the introduction of IPV.
Given the expected workload of the EVM improvement plan, the volume of technical deliveries, and the required technical expertise, the tasks are beyond the current capacity of UNICEF Rwanda’s in-house personnel.
3. Objectives
The main objectives are as follows:
a) To conduct temperature monitoring study at all levels
b) To finalize the draft Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) and contingency plan for the national vaccine store and other levels of the vaccine supply chain as recommended in EVMA.
c) Support to strengthen the implementation of EVMA improvement plan
d) To improve capacity of Vaccine Preventable Diseases staffs on vaccines supply chain management and provide technical support and training on Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) and install software related to vaccines and logistics management.
4. Methodological Approach
The methodology will follow the WHO/UNICEF standard protocols and will be further defined with support of the consultant. The international consultant, will work with the Rwanda MoH/MCCH-EPI and UNICEF CSD-Health unit, to finalize the methodology for the temperature monitoring study, finalizing SOPs and contingency plan, strengthening implementation of EVMA improvement plan and capacity building activities. The activities will be accomplished within three months.
5. Major Tasks, Deliverables & Timeframe
In collaboration with UNICEF CSD-Health staff, National EPI Manager, EPI Logistics officer, the international consultant will be able to deliver the following:
a) Comprehensive technical final report on Temperature Monitoring study,
b) Review and finalize the existing draft SOPs and contingency plan as recommended in EVMA report related to Vaccine management. The final copy to be approved by MoH/RBC and shared with UNICEF.
c) Detailed training report on vaccine supply chain management and LMIS
d) Comprehensive final report on the strengthening implementation of EVMA-improvement plan at all levels of the health system.
The consultant will report to the National MOH/RBC-MCCH-EPI Unit and UNICEF-CSD- Health Unit and will be working from November 2015 to January 2016;
Tasks / Expected Deliverables / Timeframe1. Develop the methodology of the temperature monitoring study, engage in preliminary discussions, review of available documents/SOPs, contingency plan, implementation of EVMA improvement plan and preparation training materials/tools. / Final methodology developed, training materials prepared, training on vaccines, logistics and supply chain management conducted, SOP reviewed including work plan, presentation of methodological approach, instruments to be used for data collection and interview and to be presented and approved by the MoH/RBC and UNICEF (deliverable 1). / Week 1-2
2. Conducting Temperature monitoring study at Central Vaccine Store (CVS), District Hospitals, Health Centres, health posts and outreach sites / Brief draft report and PowerPoint presentation of the temperature monitoring study (deliverable 2) / Week 3-6
3. Conducting training on vaccines, logistics and supply chain management and LMIS for vaccine preventable diseases staffs.
Finalizing the report of Temperature monitoring study. Finalizing the SOPs on vaccines and logistics management, Developing contingency and improvement plan related to vaccine management. Presenting report on Temperature monitoring study, SOPs on vaccines and logistics management and contingency and improvement plan to MoH/RBC/EPI, UNICEF technical staff and key stakeholders for final review and validation / Preliminary draft report of the Temperature monitoring study, comprehensive report on the training conducted, final SOPs and draft contingency and EVMA improvement implementation plan and all submitted and brief PowerPoint presentations on the training conducted, final SOPs and draft contingency and EVMA improvement implementation plan (deliverable 3) / Week 7-9
4. Incorporate comments from key stakeholders and finalization of all documents and reports; / Final report of Temperature monitoring study , final copy of the SOP, final improvement and contingency plan of EVM (deliverable 4),
as end products, approved by the UNICEF-CSD-Health Unit and MoH/RBC-MCCH-EPI Unit submitted to UNICEF / Week 10-12
6. Stakeholder Participation
The main stakeholders are the members of the Ministry of Health/RBC-MCCH-EPI team and UNICEF RO and CSD-Health unit), which will facilitate the accomplishment of the planned activities.
· Provide guidance to consultant and monitor the implementation;
· Review the consultants work plan, instruments, the report and provide feedback on time);
· Review and approve the final report,
UNICEF Rwanda will be responsible for selection of the international consultant to provide the required technical assistance. The consultant will be managed by UNICEF Rwanda.
MoH/RBC/MCCH-EPI unit will be responsible for providing relevant information at country level, providing access to relevant reports, providing inputs for data collection, avail sitting space and organizing meetings with different stakeholders.
7. Qualifications and Requirements
Candidate should possess following:
· Advanced university degree in Public Heath/ Public Health Supply Chain with 7 years of relevant work experience, particularly in the planning and implementation of EVMA
· Excellent planning, monitoring and evaluation skills, and ability to oversee projects
· Excellent in immunization survey coordination especially studies related to Temperature monitoring and mapping.
· Excellent experience to work with immunization program especially in vaccine and vaccine materials supply chain
· Skills in writing, production of analytical & brief notes on programmatic issues
· Knowledge and skills with logistics’ management information system
· Proficiency in use of computer, including Excel and generation of graphs and charts
· Familiar to working with UNICEF and/ or UN organizations or One UN in the related field
· Fluency in English, and fluency in French will be an added value
8. Supervision
The consultant will be based in RBC/MCCH-EPI unit and will be supervised by RBC/MCCH-EPI unit jointly with UNICEF CSD- Health Unit. Reports will submitted to UNICEF CSD- Health Unit with approval letter from RBC/MCCH-EPI unit.
9. Duration
The consultancy will be for three (3) months from the date of contract signature.
10. Terms and conditions:
· The consultant will work primarily in RBC/MCCH-EPI unit office and closely work with the UNICEF CSD-Health Unit on daily basis with frequent missions in the field.
· Air travel is by economical fare and reimbursement AS PER UNICEF POLICY.
· On-field (in-country) transport will be arranged by UNICEF and Consultant will complete Waiver for Non-Staff issued with travel authorization in accordance with UNICEF Financial and Administrative Policy 5, Supplement 4 (B.2):
· Consultant must complete basic security and advanced security in the field prior to travel.
· The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF general terms and conditions for individual contracts.
· The consultant will use private computer for the consultancy period.
· The consultant will be paid by UNICEF on monthly basis based on the submission of written approval of the deliverables approved from RBC/MCCH-EPI Unit.
· Non-UNICEF staff (including individual consultants) issued with UNICEF Travel Authorization are not covered by the insurance which automatically applies to UNICEF staff, and are fully responsible for arranging their own insurance cover.
· Applicable UN DSA rates for subsistence and accommodation will be applied. Full DSA for the first 30 days and 100$ for the remaining time.
· UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines
· All materials developed by the consultant will remain the copyright of MoH/RBC and UNICEF.
How to Apply:
Qualified individuals are requested to submit their cover letter, CV and P11 form (which can be downloaded from: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), to Human Resources at: by October 21st, 2015, with subject: “International Consultant for EVM Improvement Plan-SSA.”
You may also submit to: Human Resources Specialist, UNICEF Rwanda, and P.O. Box 381, Kigali, Rwanda.
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UNICEF IS COMMITTED TO GENDER BALANCE AND DIVERSITY WITHOUT DISTINCTION AS TO RACE, SEX OR RELIGION, AND WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. WELL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
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