Liberia has recorded two positive environmental samples of polio (CVDPV2) as of March 1, 2024 indicating the risk of further positives (either environmental or human). There are ongoing polio transmissions in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone which are all bordering Liberia.
This situation coupled with the sub-optimal routine immunization data places Liberia as a high-risk country and an outbreak response including a nationwide immunization campaign needs to be conducted as soon as possible. The immunization campaigns need to be synchronized across the four countries to achieve maximum impact once all logistics, vaccines, surge requirements are in place.
II: Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
Effective management of nOPV2 vaccines in an outbreak situation is critical to ensure that vaccines are deployed timely, enough vaccines are issued, and all vaccines issued are retrieved and accounted for. UNICEF is a key partner to support vaccine management during Polio outbreak response hence the justification to engage national field consultants. The consultant will work in close collaboration with international consultant and UNICEF staffs at large.
III: Scope of Work:
- Support the regional, county and health facility vaccine store managers to distribute vaccines and other related logistics to the various levels of the health system in efficient and timely manner.
- Support district and health facility Vaccine Accountability Coordinators to ensure that all vials are retrieved, and unused vials properly destroyed.
- To identify gaps and put in place strategies and detailed plans on vaccine and cold chain management aspects of the polio emergency response based on field monitoring visits and report.
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Education:
- Degree in health related discipline, logistics management, supply chain, health logistics, business management).
Work Experience:
- Professional/Technical Experience: At least, 2 years of professional experience at related to Cold Chain, Vaccine Management, Waste Management, vaccination campaign logistics management, field experience of OPV management will be an asset.
- Relevant work experience in emergency response especially epidemics; Experience with public health supply chain and cold chain management issues.
- Leadership skills, teamwork and ability to conduct training.
- Masters EPI logistics tools (SMT, Cold Chain Inventory tools).
- Additional training in immunization and cold chain is an asset
Other skills and competencies required:
- Results-driven and good writing skills.
Language Proficiency:
- Fluency in English and a local dialect is essential
Working Conditions:
- Field-based
- The consultant is expected to use his/her own ICT equipment.
Supervision:
The consultant will be supervised by Immunization Specialist.
