Recrutement de 01 Cold Chain Specialist (Vaccine Management for polio response)

Cold Chain Specialist (Vaccine Management for polio response)
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: Bangui
Location: Central African Republic
Categories: Health, Emergency
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 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

Central African Republic (sharepoint.com)

A - Strategic office context and purpose for the job

Since May 2019, the CAR has been facing an epidemic of cVDPV2, the first cases of which have been confirmed in the health districts of Bambari in health region N°4 (CAF-RS4-BAM-19-058) and Bimbo in health region N°1 (CAF-RS1-BIM-19-062). In total, since May 2019, 32 cases of cVDPV2 have been confirmed by the laboratory, including 25 in patients with paralysis (21 in 2019 and 4 in 2020) and 12 positive isolates in environmental samples (9 in 2019, 2 in 2020 and 1 in 2021). The date of onset of paralysis of the last case of cVDPV2 dates back to 29/10/2020 in Ndele in the district of Bamingui-Bangoran and the date of sampling of the last positive environmental isolate (cVDPV2) is November 03, 2021 in the district of Bangui 2 at the Kokoro site. These cases were grouped into 9 emergences, 7 of which were closed in October 2020 (5) and June 2021 (2). The still active emergences are those of Chad and Nigeria, from which the last case originated. In response to cVDPV2 cases, the country organized a vaccination response in 03 phases with mOPV2 in accordance with the scopes validated by the Adviser Group after the country shared the risk analysis resulting from the notification of cVDPV2 cases from Bambari, Berberati and Batangafo. Phase 1 involved 21 districts in the Center / East of the country in June-October 2019. Phase 2 involved 12 districts in the West of the country (November 2019 to March 2020) and phase 3 involved 3 districts (October to December 2020). Since the beginning of this response, all 35 districts have conducted at least 2 Rounds of SIAs and since Round 1 of Berberati we notice fewer and fewer children are missed during the response campaigns.

B - Strategic office context :

With the recent notification of the case of environmental cVDPV2 (EPID no: ENV-CAF-RS7-MMPPKK-21-012) in the district of Bangui II dated November 2021, the country must respond against this case by using the vaccine. cVDPV2 according to the proposed risk assessment report at regional and global level.

UNICEF supports the management of vaccines in general and that of polio vaccines in particular, and the cold chain and logistics. The last SSA contract expiring on March 23, 2023 while response activities against the case of cVDPV2 are planned in response to the 4 cases of cVDPV2, the last case of which dates back to November 2022 in a 7-month-old child in the health district. from Bangassou. In addition, funding is available for support to the Ministry of Health for the management of poliomyelitis vaccines and the cold chain in response to the cVDPP2 epidemic for a period of twelve months.

From the above, UNICEF proposes to recruit for a period of twelve months a Cold Chain Specialist (Vaccine Management for polio response) of poliomyelitis to continue its technical support to the Ministry of Health and Population in the management and coordination of logistical aspects. of the response to cVDPV2 in the country.

C - Purpose for the job:

The main objective of the post of Cold Chain Specialist (Vaccine Management for polio response) in support of the response to the poliomyelitis epidemic (cVDPV2), P3, TA is to support the national coordination team for the preparation and implementation of cVDPV2 outbreak response logistics activities to ensure uninterrupted availability of vaccines and full recovery of all nOPV2 vials after rounds in accordance with SOPs and Advisory recommendations group. The Cold Chain Specialist (Vaccine Management for polio response), in support of the response to the poliomyelitis epidemic (cVDPV2) will implement the activities planned in the country (the regional, districts and health facilities level).

How can you make a difference?

As part of his/her duties, the Cold Chain Specialist (Vaccine Management for polio response), for poliomyelitis will have to collaborate with the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partner of the IMEP and the technical coordinator of the epidemic outbreak to estimate vaccine needs, develop aspects of the national response plan related to vaccine management, the cold chain and logistics and adapt the operational procedures to the country context for the management of epidemics and for the management of vaccines.

In addition, within the framework of these tasks, expected results and deadlines, he will have to:

Participate in meetings of the logistics sub-committee and participate in the various COUSP coordination meetings at regional and national level.
Liaise with UNICEF Program and Supply Divisions and support logistics teams in Country Offices and Ministry of Health to streamline activities/actions,
Coordinate the planning, ordering and receipt of vaccines and consumables for the cVDPV2 outbreak,
Ensure the availability of the necessary authorizations from the national regulatory authorities upon receipt of the vaccines,
Support the teams of the Ministry of Health and the GPEI to coordinate the implementation of the logistics aspects of the cVDPV2 response (estimating vaccine needs, management of vaccines and the cold chain, logistics plan, monitoring of vials, management and safe disposal of waste, etc.) as indicated in the epidemic response plan and in the guidance note on the management of vaccines and the cold chain during polio SIAs,
Support the teams of the Ministry of Health and the GPEI in the development of logistics plans/plans for the supply/distribution of vaccines, inputs and other materials for the cVDPV2 response
Support the updating of the inventory of active and passive cold chain equipment, the functionality of the cold chain (temperature reading, recycling of icepacks, packaging of vaccines, etc.) and facilitate the optimization of storage capacities by planning cold chain equipment in the short, medium and long term,
Facilitate the distribution and optimal use of vaccines and consumables according to macro and micro-planning and ensure compliance of receptions with the distribution plan,
Ensure proper storage of vaccines and consumables at each level of the supply chain,
Develop mechanisms to speed up the preparation and compilation of reports (vaccine utilization reports and A forms) and their transmission to the coordination and central level,
Collect and analyze the stock and use of the vaccine at all levels of the supply chain after each round,
Support the correct use of vaccine management and monitoring tools SMT (Stock management Tool), DVD-MT (District Vaccine Data Management Tool) and VIVA and the monthly inventory of vaccine stocks at central and district level
Submit vaccine stock reports when submitting requests for additional vaccines.
In the case of responses/AVS using nOPV2, the Cold Chain Specialist (Vaccine Management for polio response) for poliomyelitis will provide technical assistance to partners from the Ministry of Health and the GPEI to ensure compliance with procedures/such as

At the end of each round of response, all open nOPV2 vials (used and partially used) are disposed in according to WHO and/or national guidelines and all unopened vials are collected at a pre-determined level of the supply chain for later use.
At the end of the last run, all empty and partially used nOPV2 vials are disposed of according to WHO and/or national guidelines.
Coordinate Vaccine and vial monitoring activities: training of supervisors, coordinators and monitors, supervision, compilation of monitoring data and transmission of reports from the area of responsibility,
Train staff and partners involved in the response in vaccine management, logistics and cold chain according to the guidance note and available learning modules. This includes the deployment of management tools and training materials in the country.
Coordinate with partners the implementation of appropriate logistical solutions to ensure the availability of vaccines in hard-to-reach areas.
Monitor health structure performance indicators and take corrective actions to optimize results.
Provide frequent and regular reports to the technical manager on all aspects related to the management of vaccines, cold chain logistics and contribute to the drafting of Sitreps and bulletins.
Prepare reports as per GPEI requirements at the end of each round and at the end of the campaign/response.
Support Outbreak Response Assessment Teams (OBRA) with information related to vaccine management, logistics and cold chain.
Provide supervision and coordination of national vaccine management consultants
Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as requested by Program Managers, in order to contribute to the success of the outbreak response.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in logistics management or other master’s degrees (pharmacy, engineer, etc.), specialist in supply chain and health logistics with a great knowledge of the Expanded Immunization Program, in particular aspects related to the implementation of mass vaccination campaigns.
*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
At least 5 years of professional experience at national and international level in the management of EPI logistics (cold chain, vaccine management, waste management), management of vaccination campaign logistics. Involvement in a campaign using nOPV2 will be an asset;
Have skills in leadership, teamwork and adult training;

Very good knowledge of the computer tool, in particular Excel, Word and PowerPoint software;

Knowledge of EPI logistics tools (SMT, DVDMT, VIVA, Cold Chain Inventory tools);

Experience of working in a multicultural environment and in the context of emergencies and developing countries.

Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Basic skills

Communications (I)
Teamwork (II)
Search Results (I)
Core Competencies

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
Works Collaboratively with others (1)
Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.


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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable [females’ candidates and candidates from industrialized countries’] are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Advertised: 02 Mar 2023 W. Central Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 15 Mar 2023 W. Central Africa Standard Time