🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) – 3 Positions
UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is recruiting to fill the following positions:
1.) Regional Vaccine Consultants (VMS)
2.) National Vaccine Management Consultant (VMS)
3.) Health & Nutrition Officer
See job details and how to apply below.
1.) Regional Vaccine Consultants (VMS)
National Consultancy - Regional Vaccine Consultants (VMS), Freetown, Sierra Leone, 11.5 months (For Sierra Leoneans Only)
Job no: 558173
Position type: Consultant
Location: Sierra Leone Division/Equivalent: Dakar (WCAR), Senegal
School/Unit: Sierra Leone
Department/Office: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Categories: Health
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, education
Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here
How can you make a difference?
Purpose and Objectives:
The purpose of the consultancy is to effectively manage COVID-19 and routine vaccine deliveries, build capacity and support national authorities in planning, storage, distribution, temperature tracking, monitoring, accountability and waste management and other relevant commodities, and support routine immunization activities.
Specific Tasks of the Consultancies:
- Build the capacity of health staff at district and health facility levels through training and supervision especially those at service delivery level and to monitor the overall implementation of integrated delivery of both COVID-19 and routine immunization services at district level in all aspects including cold chain, logistics and vaccine management through:
- Facilitating the distribution and optimal use of vaccines and consumables according to micro plans and ensure that receipts comply with the distribution plan.
- Ensuring the proper storage of vaccines and consumables at each level of the supply chain.
- Provide on the job orientation on the basic planned preventive maintenance (PPM) of cold chain equipment at district and health facility levels for enhanced effectiveness and long-term functionality of the equipment.
- Collect and analyze COVID-19 and routine vaccine stock and utilization status at all levels of the supply chain weekly. Work closely with DHMTs and ensure complete and timely submission of weekly reports on COVID-19 vaccination.
- Undertake field visits to the district health management teams (DHMTs) and health facilities to provide support towards the effective implementation of the campaigns, if any, and other activities of routine immunization services.
- To provide continuous on-the-job training, coaching, mentoring and supportive supervision for district staff on the use and reporting of monthly Stock Management Tool (SMT), including the newly introduced online version of the SMT (eSMT).
- To coordinate the conduct of monthly physical count of Immunization supplies (vaccines and syringes) and sharing such data with central level – both for routine immunization services and for COVID-19 vaccination.
- To support the updating of national cold chain inventory to inform future installation of CCE countrywide.
- To provide support to data management and timely reporting at district and health facility levels.
- To support the implementation of improvement plans for both the countrywide cold chain and EVM assessments at district and health facility levels.
- Undertake any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.
Methodology and Technical Approach:
The regional consultants will provide data-driven technical assistance through an effective coordination with district health management teams (DHMTs) and partners present at sub-national level, capacity building support including day-to-day on-the-job knowledge transfer, and document lessons learnt and recommendation (with clear prioritization) to improve vaccine stock management of both COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization.
Management, Organization and Timeframe:
The consultants will be supervised by the Immunization Specialist, UNICEF Sierra Leone, under the overall guidance of Chief of Health & Nutrition Section. The three consultants responsible for Western, Northern, and Eastern/Southern regions of the country respectively will be based in Freetown (Western Area Urban DHMT office), Makeni UNICEF Field Office, and Kenema UNICEF Field Office. They will have regular interactions with DHMTs in districts under their responsibility and other partners. The monthly fees of the consultants will be processed by UNICEF upon submission of their monthly progress reports along with deliverables certified by the supervisor.
The duration of the consultancy is 11.5 months.
Please find attached the full ToR for this consultancy: VA TOR - Regional Vaccine Management Consultants 2022.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...
Education
University degree is required (Advanced degree an advantage), preferably in relevant field (e.g., public health, business planning, supply chain management, economics, international development studies, medicine, procurement, logistics, or other quantitative degree).
Applicable work experience can substitute in cases where university degree is not aligned to a relevant field.
Experience
- Two (2) years progressively responsible field work experience in immunization and cold chain, supply chain management or other related field in primary health care
- Experience in similar assignment related to effective vaccine and cold chain management practices
- Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance in similar exercises
- Proven track record in interfacing with national ministries of health is a distinct advantage.
- Previous experience in working with UN agencies or other Non-governmental organisations is an asset.
Skills required
- Very good command of English language, both oral and written, including report-writing skills.
- Very good analytical capacities - excellent ability to synthesize information and relate action to results.
- Ability to work independently to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate in a multicultural environment
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit 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.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
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:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the applicable visa and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of full-vaccination status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed vaccine, prior to taking up the assignment. This requirement does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work at or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
Advertised: Dec 28 2022 Greenwich Standard Time Application close: Jan 11 2023 Greenwich Standard Time
2.) National Vaccine Management Consultant (VMS)
National Consultancy - National Vaccine Management Consultant (VMS), Freetown, Sierra Leone, 11.5 months - For Sierra Leoneans Only
Job no: 558172
Position type: Consultant
Location: Sierra Leone Division/Equivalent: Dakar (WCAR), Senegal
School/Unit: Sierra Leone
Department/Office: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Categories: Health
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, education
Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here
How can you make a difference?
Purpose and Objectives:
The purpose of the consultancy is to effectively manage COVID-19 and routine vaccine deliveries, build capacity and support national authorities in planning, storage, distribution, temperature tracking, monitoring, accountability and waste management and other relevant commodities, and support routine immunization activities.
Specific objective is to support Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS)/EPI Programme to:
- strengthen end-to-end stock management and timely and equitable vaccine distribution.
- assist National Logistics Working Groups (NLWGs) to make data-driven decisions and triangulate data sources.
- enhance existing monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
- deploy needs-based technical assistance.
- track vaccine transportation and temperatures.
- assist the expansion of vaccine verification systems at subnational levels.
- deploy field-tested, cost-effective, and human-centered stock monitoring tools to automate vaccine inventories at all levels.
Specific Tasks of the Consultant:
- Map vaccine inventory tools and dataflows at all levels and support the national EPI Programme to develop and implement data collection Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines.
- Revalidate supply chain and waste management sections of National Vaccine Deployment Plan (NVDP) for COVID-19.
- Prepare performance monitoring and accountability checklists and SOPs so duty barriers at all levels are held accountable for Immunisation Supply Chain (iSC) related activities.
- Support NLWG to develop or revalidate supply and logistics plans.
- In collaboration with the National EPI Programme and Regional Office Focal Person to develop a robust supportive supervision plan along with budget breakdown.
- Ensure the national EPI Programme has access to updated stock management data including on forecast/actual quantities, stock-on-hand, consumption rates, expiry dates and open and closed vial wastage on weekly basis.
- Deploy both COVID-19 and routine vaccination monitoring checklists and SOPs, collect, analyze and present supportive supervision data with the EPI Programme and partners in real-time or at least twice a week.
- Strengthen or deploy tools to automate, collect and share data on COVID-19 and routine vaccine arrival, distribution and monitoring.
- Lead targeted assessment of iSC performance, especially stock management as per EVM2.0 guidelines and iterative development and implementation of improvement plans. Review continuous improvement plan (cIP) on bimonthly basis.
- Prepare and share monthly vaccine accountability reports.
- Support the updating of national cold chain equipment (CCE) inventories on quarterly basis and support the development of CCE and UCC maintenance plans.
- Support the development and implementation of effective vaccine management (EVM) improvement plans.
- Support the Integration and implementation of Thrive360 and iDash.
- Track and document the drivers of wastage, develop mitigation strategies and refine improvement plans.
- Initiate or support forecast accuracy verification and revision exercise on six monthly bases.
- Lead or contribute to iSC digitalization mapping.
- Conduct two peer data quality reviews, draw recommendations and track progress
- Implement capacity development workshops and on-the-job training opportunities.
- Support the implementation of Global Trust Repository (GTR)
- Undertake other assignments and responsibilities as requested by the supervisor.
Methodology and Technical Approach:
The national consultant will provide data-driven technical assistance through an effective coordination with both Government and partners, capacity building support including day-to-day on-the-job knowledge transfer, and document lessons learnt and recommendation (with clear prioritization) to improve vaccine stock management of both COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization services.
Management, Organization and Timeframe:
The consultant will be supervised by the Immunization Specialist, UNICEF Sierra Leone, under the overall guidance of Chief of Health & Nutrition Section. The consultant will be seated at EPI Programme Office of the MoHS and will have regular interactions with EPI Programme Manager and team at MoHS, and other partners. The monthly fees of the consultant will be processed by UNICEF upon submission of his/her monthly progress report along with deliverables certified by the supervisor.
The duration of the consultancy is 11.5 months.
Please find attached the full ToR for this consultancy: VA TOR - National Vaccine Management Specialist Sierra Leone 2022.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...
Education
University degree is required (Advanced degree an advantage), preferably in relevant field (e.g., business planning, supply chain management, economics, international development studies, medicine, procurement, logistics, or other quantitative degree).
Applicable work experience can substitute in cases where university degree is not aligned to a relevant field.
Experience
At least (3) years of experience in public health programme management including at least three (3) years in immunization, with experience in low- and middle-income countries, preferably in the areas of:
- Logistics management systems
- Supply chain bottleneck and root cause analysis
- Familiarity with inventory policies, allocation, ordering and distribution strategies and other supply chain operations
- Health systems strengthening
- Assessing and measuring supply chain performance
- Experience interfacing with national ministries of health an advantage.
Skills required
- 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 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, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit 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.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
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:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the applicable visa and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of full-vaccination status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed vaccine, prior to taking up the assignment. This requirement does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work at or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
Advertised: Dec 28 2022 Greenwich Standard Time Application close: Jan 11 2023 Greenwich Standard Time
3.) Health & Nutrition Officer
Health & Nutrition Officer, NO-2, Freetown, Sierra Leone #112436 (For Sierra Leone Nationals Only)
Job no: 558189
Position type: Fixed Term Appointment
Location: Sierra Leone Division/Equivalent: Dakar (WCAR), Senegal
School/Unit: Sierra Leone
Department/Office: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Categories: Health and Nutrition
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, a champion
Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here
How can you make a difference?
Purpose of the Post
The Health & Nutrition Officer provides professional technical assistance and support for programme/project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of programme/project activities, including data analysis, progress reporting, knowledge networking and capacity building; in support of achievement of planned objectives of the work plan aligned with Health & Nutrition programme goals and strategy, particularly to bring positive change in family/individual practices related to infant and young child feeding, maternal nutrition, health seeking (with special attention to adolescents) and other care. S/he will also serve as a focal point for adolescent health/nutrition and HIV programming.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Accurate information, data analysis, and documentation are made available on a timely basis to support situation analysis, sectoral input and reporting.
2. Technical assistance are provided to the development and implementation of integrated Health & Nutrition strategies and approaches, including the related social and behavior change communication strategies and plans, through participation and collaboration with internal and external partners.
3. Work plan and objectives are effectively established, and planned results are timely delivered through technical support and coordination in consultation with all relevant partners.
4. Project efficiency and effectiveness are enhanced through effective implementation follow-up.
5. Project implementation progress is monitored for adjustment and improvement of program delivery and sustainability. Gender sex aggregated data and inputs provided relevant to the Health & Nutrition programme.
6. Transparency is ensured for supply and non-supply assistance and disbursement of programme funds for Health & Nutrition.
7. Effective partnership and working relationships are maintained for advocacy, technical coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking, with focus on adolescent health/nutrition, HIV, and health/nutrition social and behavior change communication.
8. Up-to-date programme information is made available, and reports are prepared and shared with relevant stakeholders as required, to support the Health & Nutrition programme by the effective implementation of integrated monitoring system.
9. Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with
effective coordination are provided and in line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, partnerships with the Health and Nutrition humanitarian actors strengthened within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).
10. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...
- A university degree in Public Health and Nutrition, Social and Behavioral Science in Health and Nutrition, Health/Nutrition Education, Health/Nutrition Communication, Child Development, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or other relevant disciplines.
- Two years of professional work experience in planning, programming, implementation monitoring and evaluation of health / nutrition programmes. Professional work experience in a programme management function or a technical expert capacity in child survival & health care, HIV and Adolescent programme,
- Field work experience. Experience working at policy level with Government and partners is an advantage.
- Background/familiarity with Emergency situations.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local language of the duty station is considered as 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...
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
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 Sierra Leoneans are encouraged to apply.
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.
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.
Advertised: Dec 28 2022 Greenwich Standard Time Application close: Jan 11 2023 Greenwich Standard Time
