Polio/EPI Consultant for Immunization and vaccines management for Somali region
| Location | Regional Health Bureau, Somali, Ethiopia |
| Date Posted | July 23, 2020 |
| Category | Consultancy Health Care / Medical |
| Job Type | Contract |
| Currency | ETB |
Description
The overall purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to the EPI unit of the Somali Regional Health Bureau and the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency (EPSA)-Jigjiga Branch, Somali districts in technical improve immunization emphasis on service Region Health Bureau , implementing analysis, evidence-based advocacy to services and coverage with particular delivery and supply chain/vaccine management consistent with the latest SOPs for outbreak responses and continuity of essential services in COVID-19 response in the context of the new regional IIP 2017-2020 GC) including SIAs (Polio & Measles) and new vaccine introductions (HPV & MCV2) for immunization service.
The consultant will work closely with Somali region Emergency operation center (EOC) , the Cold Chain and Vaccine Management -technical working group , EPSA hub manager and EPI unit of the Regional health bureau and other partners involved in immunization program in the region to accomplish the following:
• Develop/review the micro plan for outbreak response SIAs esp. supply and logistics plan.
• Develop/review the distribution plan , route, transport and organize the distribution of the vaccine supply and logistics for routine immunization and SIAs
• Provide training to SIA facilitators at regional and sub regional level on vaccine management
• Strengthen availability and proper utilization of vaccine stock monitoring tools.
• Establish regular cold chain equipment inventory system at all level
• Improve the capacity of storekeeper on stock management , vaccine delivery and distribution system and how to prepare vaccine-forecasting plan through on job training and frequent follow up .
• Improve use of vaccine wastage monitoring for vaccine management performance measure.
• Support RHB in analyzing bottlenecks and propose practical solutions to EPI performance improvement and Polio /other SIAs coverage within existing strategies and provide specific technical expertise on strategies and implementation modalities
• Support the RHB in micro-plan preparation for polio/measles SIAs including for routine EPI and with particular emphasis on hard to reach, border and poorly performing zones to ensure all pastoralist settlements are identified and targeted
• Support the EPSA and Woreda health office in ensuring availability of vaccine and cold chain equipment in all health facilities for effective routine immunization
• Support RHB in the collation of weekly zonal updates on key indicators including immunization
• Support monitoring of data of outbreaks and assist the TWG to reach informed decision in SIA in light of COVID-19 response.
• Support Scale up of monthly EVM self-assessment system in selected health facilities .
• Support the Bureau in mapping all NGOs involved in immunization activities in the region
• Develop and implement capacity building /mentorship plan for the Immunization focal persons at the zonal and woreda level as part of exit strategy.
• Undertake field visits to monitor EPI activities including SIAs, review implementation and make recommendations for improvement.
• Provide weekly reports of EPI situation to the health section to UNICEF Somali region field office.
Job Requirements
Education requirement: University degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the area of the expertise - Supply Chain and logistics, Biomedical engineering, Public Health. Training in Cold Chain & vaccine Management will be an asset. A Diploma in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree.
Work Experience: At least 2 to 3 years of professional work experience at national and decentralized levels in outbreaks response , routine immunization, public health and other relevant programs.
- Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance to governments on the implementation of outbreak responses (polio) and for routine immunization activities.
- Demonstrated experience in managing vaccine and reverse logistics for mOPV2 released for outbreak responses
- Emergency experience is an asset.
- Familiarity with the UN system and Polio Eradication efforts is desired Willingness to immediately take up the assignment.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
- Fluency of English language both speaking and written is a requirement. Fluency and Working knowledge of local language will be an asset.
Nationality : Ethiopian
Applying Instructions
Qualified and interested applicants who fulfill the above requirements can submit their CV along with application letter through jobs@abhpartners.com by stating the position you are applying on the subject email