Consultancies to Support Planning and Implementation of MNTE SIAs in 2 States of South Sudan
Terms of Reference
Consultancies (Two Consultants) to Support Planning and Implementation of MNTE SIAs in 2 States of South Sudan
Consultancies (Two Consultants) to Support Planning and Implementation of MNTE SIAs in 2 States of South Sudan
UNICEF support to the Ministry of Health, Republic of South Sudan
Summary
Title MNTE Consultant
Purpose To Support the national Ministry of Health (MoH) and State Ministry of Health (SMoH) of Jonglei and Upper Nile states in the Republic of South Sudan in planning, implementation and documentation of MNTE Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) with TT campaigns in 2 States of South Sudan.
Expected fee Equivalent to P3 level
Location Bor (Jonglei State) and Malakal (Upper Nile State)
Duration 2 months for each of the consultancy for 2 states (Jonglei and UNS)
Start Date February 1, 2013
Reporting to The consultants will report to the Immunization Specialist, UNICEF South Sudan country office for overall direction and guidance and will be assigned at EPI Directorate, Ministry of Health, of the respective State (Jonglei and Upper Nile) in South Sudan.
Purpose To Support the national Ministry of Health (MoH) and State Ministry of Health (SMoH) of Jonglei and Upper Nile states in the Republic of South Sudan in planning, implementation and documentation of MNTE Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) with TT campaigns in 2 States of South Sudan.
Expected fee Equivalent to P3 level
Location Bor (Jonglei State) and Malakal (Upper Nile State)
Duration 2 months for each of the consultancy for 2 states (Jonglei and UNS)
Start Date February 1, 2013
Reporting to The consultants will report to the Immunization Specialist, UNICEF South Sudan country office for overall direction and guidance and will be assigned at EPI Directorate, Ministry of Health, of the respective State (Jonglei and Upper Nile) in South Sudan.
Background
The mission and goal of the EPI programme, MoH-Republic of South Sudan is to contribute to the overall realization of the Health Sector Strategic plan by reducing morbidity, mortality and disability due to vaccine preventable diseases; and to ensure every child and high risk group is fully vaccinated with high quality and effective vaccines against the target diseases according to the recommended strategies. To achieve these goals, routine immunization services for children and pregnant women are provided through static, outreach and mobile sites and occasional special acceleration campaigns. The Ministry of Health, in compliance with global expectations, is also committed to supplemental immunization activities to achieve globally set targets of polio eradication, elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus, and accelerated measles control
In 2012, the Ministry of Health developed a plan of action with support from UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA for the implementation of TT SIAs in all 10 States (and 80 counties) in South Sudan over 3 years to help attain maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination by 2015. In addition to strengthening routine TT2+ vaccination amongst pregnant women, clean delivery and cord care practices and NNT surveillance, the plan provided for 3 rounds of TT SIAs in a phased manner. The first phase states (all three Equatoria states) have completed the first round in October 2012 with the second round due in January 2013. The second phase states comprising Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity and Warrap States will conduct the first round from February 4 and second round from 9 March 2013. The third round in both groups of States would be conducted later in 2013 while the third phase campaign implementation is scheduled for 2014.
Justification
The results of the first round of the first phase reflected poor performance in some counties. In order to improve the performance, a joint review was held with implementing States and discussed with other partners in the EPI program. A key recommendation was the necessity for additional technical support for the subsequent rounds to help absorb the additional workload to strengthen preparedness, improve the planning, implementation, monitoring, supervision and evaluation of the SIAs.
Shortage of skilled manpower in the management of EPI services (including SIAs) was a major finding of recent program reviews for which UNICEF/other partners have continued to provide support. The key states of Jonglei and Upper Nile due to their population and geographic sizes as well as logistic complexity have been selected for this additional support to complement the efforts of regular staff members in both government MoH and UNICEF/UN structures. The outcome of this short consultancy would also help the country EPI program substantially improve on the implementation of the latter phases on the campaigns in late 2013 and 2014.
Specific Tasks
- Review the preparedness for the campaign in assigned State
• Completeness of developed micro-plans, with particular reference to training plans at respective levels, team distribution and strategies for hard-to-reach populations
• Social mobilisation and communication strategies in place
• Logistics (vaccines and supplies distribution plan, transport)
• The strategies put in place to improve coverage in poorly performing counties - Support monitoring and supervision of two (2) rounds of TT campaign in assigned State
• Immunization practices
• Availability of vaccines and supplies
• Data collection and compilation
• Waste management- Coordinate and support post campaign evaluation in assigned State
• Data compilation and reporting
• Management of balance vaccine and supplies
• Assess performance especially for previously reported poorly performing counties
• Review reports of independent monitors
- Coordinate and support post campaign evaluation in assigned State
- Overview/snapshot of immunization (routine EPI) service delivery – infrastructure, planning, coverage and challenges.
- Provide recommendations / corrective actions for subsequent TT SIA rounds and EPI in general where gaps and challenges are identified
Deliverables
A detailed report with recommendations and follow-up actions to improve the subsequent phases of MNTE campaign and routine EPI service delivery
Duration of Consultancy
Two months (February 1 – March 31, 2013)
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
• Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, statistics, health economics, etc.
• At least 5 years’ experience in public health with particular reference to planning and managing Tetanus Toxoid vaccination campaigns or similar projects, handling routine EPI administrative data, analyzing data, and writing reports.
• Experience in Health Management Information Systems will be an added advantage.
• Excellent computer knowledge and skills in data-based software such as Excel, Epi Info,
• Good analytical, interpretation and data analysis skills.
• Excellent English language writing skills and Fluency in written and spoken English
• Experience of South Sudan would be an added advantage.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, and meet tight deadlines
• Good organizational and planning skills
• Good analytical, negotiating and advocacy skills.
• Good presentation and reporting skills.
• Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, statistics, health economics, etc.
• At least 5 years’ experience in public health with particular reference to planning and managing Tetanus Toxoid vaccination campaigns or similar projects, handling routine EPI administrative data, analyzing data, and writing reports.
• Experience in Health Management Information Systems will be an added advantage.
• Excellent computer knowledge and skills in data-based software such as Excel, Epi Info,
• Good analytical, interpretation and data analysis skills.
• Excellent English language writing skills and Fluency in written and spoken English
• Experience of South Sudan would be an added advantage.
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, and meet tight deadlines
• Good organizational and planning skills
• Good analytical, negotiating and advocacy skills.
• Good presentation and reporting skills.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply for this consultancy service.
General Conditions
Procedures and Logistics
• UNICEF shall be responsible for the Consultant’s Fees and other related costs, including costs associated with the consultant’s travels to Juba and back to the consultant’s place of abode.
• The consultant is entitled to DSA inside South Sudan as per UNICEF rules and regulations.
• The assignment is for 2 months and the consultant shall be remunerated by UNICEF in accordance with UNICEF’s regulations, rules and policies including those relating to methods and timing of payment.
• Working space and working tools will be provided for the consultant to work from UNICEF premises.
• The consultant is not entitled to sick leave with pay, annual leave or over-time payment, including weekends and during holidays.
• Upon completion of the assignment, UNICEF shall be responsible for the return travel arrangements for the consultant from the closest port of entry to the duty station designated by UNICEF in its request.
• UNICEF shall be responsible for all internal travel arrangements within South Sudan or region of the assignment.
• UNICEF shall be responsible for the Consultant’s Fees and other related costs, including costs associated with the consultant’s travels to Juba and back to the consultant’s place of abode.
• The consultant is entitled to DSA inside South Sudan as per UNICEF rules and regulations.
• The assignment is for 2 months and the consultant shall be remunerated by UNICEF in accordance with UNICEF’s regulations, rules and policies including those relating to methods and timing of payment.
• Working space and working tools will be provided for the consultant to work from UNICEF premises.
• The consultant is not entitled to sick leave with pay, annual leave or over-time payment, including weekends and during holidays.
• Upon completion of the assignment, UNICEF shall be responsible for the return travel arrangements for the consultant from the closest port of entry to the duty station designated by UNICEF in its request.
• UNICEF shall be responsible for all internal travel arrangements within South Sudan or region of the assignment.
Policy both parties should be aware of
• Under the consultancy agreements, a month is defined as 21 working days, and fees are prorated accordingly. Consultants are not paid for weekends or public holidays.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or contractor.
• For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or email. Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before Travel Authorization is issued.
• No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorization prior to the commencement of the journey to the duty station.
• Unless authorized, UNICEF will buy the tickets of the consultant. In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorized to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most economical and direct route” but this must be agreed to beforehand.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance.
• The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.
• Under the consultancy agreements, a month is defined as 21 working days, and fees are prorated accordingly. Consultants are not paid for weekends or public holidays.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or contractor.
• For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or email. Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before Travel Authorization is issued.
• No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorization prior to the commencement of the journey to the duty station.
• Unless authorized, UNICEF will buy the tickets of the consultant. In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorized to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most economical and direct route” but this must be agreed to beforehand.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance.
• The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.
How to apply:
Human Resources Officer
UNICEF South Sudan Country Office, Juba
OR Preferably: Email: jubavacancies@unicef.org .
UNICEF South Sudan Country Office, Juba
OR Preferably: Email: jubavacancies@unicef.org .
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