unicef
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Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, Health
The UNICEF Programme of Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is designed to address and mitigate the threat of poverty the country’s children face, while responding to the needs with interventions addressing the multiple causative factors.
To find out more about UNICEF’s work in Zambia, please visit https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/ZMB/SitePages/About-us(1).aspx
How can you make a difference?
Under the direct supervision of Chief Health and HIV/ADS, the incumbent will be responsible for project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of immunisation Supply Chain and Logistics (iSCL), specifically the cold chain systems strengthening. The incumbent will support implementation and monitoring of the effective vaccines management (EVM) plan of Zambia; deployment and maintenance of the cold chain equipment at national, provincial and district level including solar disk drive (SDD) refrigerator; forecasting of cold chain equipment, vaccines and injection devices for routine and supplementary immunization Activities (SIAs); train health staff on vaccine and cold chain management, while also monitoring the implementation of immunization interventions in the field, in support of the country programme goals, objectives and strategy.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Evidence-based planning, designing, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of immunisation Supply Chain and Logistics (iSCL)/Cold Chain Equipment (CCE) and Systems Management:
- Ensures the availability of accurate, complete, and up-to-date information on iSCL/CCE required for effective immunization programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Drafts sound project budgets on iSCL/CCE for review by the supervisor, ensuring accuracy and appropriateness of data and coding. Drafts updated project status reports.
- Assembles and provides updated data and information on national cold chain logistics management systems for effective immunisation programme and for programme monitoring, analysis, and reporting.
- Analyses of the programme status and recommends appropriate adjustments as necessary. Analyses collected data and information and prepares progress reports, drafts changes in immunization project work plans with identification of required cold chain equipment and accessories.
- Drafts sections of donor, annual and other project documentation related to iSCL/CCE ensuring accuracy and consistency with established rules, regulations and plans of action.
Immunisation cold chain supplies and logistics forecasting, planning, and development:
- Support MoH/EPI in technical specification of immunisation cold chain supplies, accessories, and equipment; forecasting and quantification; and preparing/updating the comprehensive supply plan for immunisation programme including Covid-19 vaccination.
- Technical support to implement Supply Chain and Waste Management of cold chain equipment, vaccines and other immunisation supplies including regular review and updating of Supply Chain and Waste Management section of Zambia’s National Immunisation Strategy (NIS) and the Covid-19 National Vaccines Deployment Plan (NVDP).
- Technical support to MoH/EPI on regularly reviews and strengthening of cold chain equipment and vaccine forecasting systems, data triangulation of stock, consumption, and coverage at all levels of the immunisation supply chain, considering data use barriers and mitigation strategies.
- Provide regular technical support to MoH/EPI on developing and updating the iSCL/CCE component of Gavi Covid-19 Vaccines Delivery Services (CDS), Covid-19 Vaccines Delivery Partnership (CoVPD), and novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2) introduction and implementation in Zambia.
Training and capacity development of Government, and other implementing partners on immunization Supply Chain Logistics (iSCL)/Cold Chain systems
- Supports staff training/development programme to upgrade the capacity of the MoH and other immunisation counterpart in the programme development, implementation, and management of iSCL/CCE system.
- Uses the appropriate training guidelines; participates in the mid-level management training of vaccinators, cold chain technicians, cold chain managers/supervisors, and mid-level managers; participates in training activities and micro-planning workshops.
- Design, develop, implement, and sustain new approaches of immunisation logistics and cold chain information management systems.
- Maintain and follow a continuous training programme for MoH and immunization partners and stakeholders’ staff on installation, commissioning, repair, and maintenance of cold chain equipment as per the standards of Gavi Cold Chain Equipment Optimisation Platform (CCEOP).
Immunisation Supply Chain Logistics (iSCL) management and coordination:
- Support National EPI Team, EPI national Technical Working Groups (TWGs), and EPI National Logistics Working Group (NLWG), in the development and/or revalidation of national and subnational supply and logistics plans to effectively manage the arrivals, storage, temperature monitoring and control during storage and distribution and redistribution, vaccine accountability, and cold chain equipment disposal and waste management for immunisation programme including Covid-19 vaccination.
- Develop a system for supply chain digitalization, support selection and introduction of appropriate electronic Cold Chain Logistics Management Information Systems (eCCL-MIS) while strengthening the ecosystem (people, processes, and policies) within which the eCCL-MIS will exist.
- Ensure issues in cold chain system management are identified and actively addressed as appropriate at local level or escalate to MoH/UNICEF in a timely manner.
2.1 Cold chain equipment and vaccine stock management including in-country distribution:
- Plan, receive, store, deploy and monitor the in-country distribution of vaccines, CCE and related logistics including waste management.
- Implement on-going/new routine stock management strengthening initiatives including evidence-based allocation/distribution, tracking and tracing of vaccine deployment, cold chain, and logistics management systems (initially at national/immediate sub-national level and then scale-up).
- Establish an up-to-date stock management data on cold chain including on forecast/actual quantities, stock-on-hand, consumption rates, expiry dates, critical operational challenges and data use for governance and action. This will include facilitation of access to the same database to EPI-NLWG and/or the EPI Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).
- Responsible for facilitation of e access to data, review and reporting of national and subnational monthly vaccine accountability and cold chain equipment including stock receipts, distribution, utilisation, and wastage rates which are triangulated with vaccination coverage.
Immunisations supply chain/cold chain and logistics management, monitoring, and reporting:
- Review national and sub-national immunisation supply and cold chain performance, triangulating with service delivery data. Expand/deploy SOPs, tools, and best practices, leveraging appropriate technology, that improve/automate cold chain inventories at all levels of immunisations supply chain (iSC).
- Strengthen monitoring of cold chain equipment and vaccines at subnational levels and ensure timely data sharing with relevant national authorities and partners.
- Responsible for targeted assessment and monitoring of iSC performance for Covid-19, especially with stock management; assist in EVM2.0 guidelines development and conducting the on-going/planned Effective Vaccines Management (EVM) exercise; and iterative development and implementation of EVM improvement plan within a cycle of continuous Improvement Plan (cIP), and develop the capacity of cold chain officers on the concurrent monitoring of improvement plans at all levels
- Monitor the drivers of wastage, developing strategies for mitigating them and incorporating these into their improvement plans.
- Support cold chain management activities including but not limited to regular CCE inventories and development of replacement plans, maintenance plans, and identification of spare parts needs for replacement.
- Support documentation, sharing of evidence and follow-up on Ultra Cold Chain (UCC) maintenance and waste management plans.
- Expand Thrive360 to Zambia and ensure it provides regular stock utilization reports.
- Responsible for the rollout of Covid-19 vaccine verification systems at sub-national levels.
- Monitor progress and lessons on stock management reporting accuracy and use of data for action.
- Strengthen routine stock management practices, tools, and systems and use of data for action by national and subnational NLWG/EOCs.
2.2 Collaboration with programme and implementing partners: Collaborate with UN systems (RCO, WHO), Gavi-COVAX, AU-AVAT, CoVDP, World Bank, USAID, US-CDC, FCDO-UK, EU, SIDA, KfW (Germany), JICA/GoJ, and other strategic and implementing partners in effectively coordinating the management of national immunisation programme cold chain systems strengthening including Covid-19 vaccines, routine immunisation, and related supplies.
2.3 Technical and advisory support to government: Channelling technical and advisory support to MoH/EPI in immunisation supply and cold chain systems strengthening and management, capacity building, and coordinated approach of planning and managing the cold chain systems.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Electromechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Public Health Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Health Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology, International Development, Medicine, or a field relevant to technical assistance in immunization Supplies, Cold Chain, and Logistics.
- At least (5) years of experience in international public health programme management
- Experience in immunization is mandatory
Experience in low- and middle-income countries, is preferably in the areas of:
- Immunisation Supply and Cold Chain Logistics management
- Health systems strengthening
- Logistics management systems
- Supply chain bottleneck and root cause analysis
- Familiarity with inventory policies, allocation, ordering and distribution strategies and other supply chain operations
- Assessing and measuring supply chain performance
- Experience interfacing with national ministries of health an advantage.
- Technical Knowledge and Skills:
- Proven experience in strategic negotiations and planning in multi-stakeholder settings
- Experience in writing complex strategic proposals, 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 / cold 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, and Accountability (CRITA).
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
Core Competencies
- Builds and maintains partnerships (Level 2)
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (Level 2)
- Drive to achieve results for impact (Level 2)
- Innovates and embraces change (Level 2)
- Thinks and acts strategically (Level 2)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (Level 2)
- Works collaboratively with others (Level 2)
- Nurtures, leads, and manages people (Level 1)
Functional Competencies
- Persuading and Influencing (Level 2)
- Applying Technical Knowledge (Level 2)
- Planning and Organizing (Level 2)
View our competency framework at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks:
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.