Vaccine Management and Cold Chain Logistics Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a culture of belonging and growth among its employees. UNICEF is known for its attractive compensation and benefits package, and it emphasizes the importance of its core values in all its operations.

Job Overview:
The Vaccine Management and Cold Chain Logistics Specialist (VMCCL) is responsible for ensuring effective coordination and implementation of vaccine management and cold chain activities across supported provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This role is crucial for routine immunization, supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), and outbreak response. The specialist will focus on delivering measurable improvements in various areas, including vaccine availability, stock management, forecasting, timely distribution, cold chain equipment functionality, preventive maintenance, temperature monitoring, data quality, reporting performance, campaign waste management, and capacity building of provincial Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) teams. The expected outcomes will be tracked through specific indicators, such as reduced stock-out days, improved stock record accuracy, enhanced forecast accuracy, increased cold chain equipment functionality, and strengthened provincial capacity through training and supervision. The VMCCL Specialist will work under the supervision and technical guidance of the Immunization Supply Chain Manager, ensuring that all activities align with UNICEF's mission and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Vaccine Management and Cold Chain Logistics Specialist include:

• Coordinating and implementing vaccine management and cold chain activities in supported provinces.
• Ensuring effective stock management and forecasting for routine immunization and SIAs.
• Monitoring cold chain equipment functionality and conducting preventive maintenance.
• Managing temperature monitoring and addressing any excursions.
• Ensuring data quality and reporting performance related to vaccine management.
• Overseeing campaign waste management and ensuring compliance with best practices.
• Building the capacity of provincial EPI teams through training and supportive supervision.
• Tracking and reporting on key performance indicators related to vaccine availability and distribution.
• Collaborating with other health sectors to integrate approaches for health, nutrition, and protection. 1
• Conducting field visits to assess and support vaccine management practices in health regions and districts.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in Public Health, Pharmacy, Health Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Immunization, or a relevant field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in vaccine/cold chain management, particularly in public health and immunization in developing countries.
• Proven experience in coordinating and managing field teams in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and other accelerated vaccine-preventable disease initiatives.
• Strong background in integrated approaches that encompass health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), social behavior change (SBC), and protection.
• Experience with routine immunization and campaigns, including nOPV2 campaigns in developing countries.
• Strong expertise in vaccine logistics, cold chain optimization, stock management, and temperature monitoring.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in fields such as Public Health, Pharmacy, Health Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Immunization, or other relevant disciplines. This educational background is essential to ensure that the specialist has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage vaccine logistics and cold chain operations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in vaccine and cold chain management, particularly within the context of public health and immunization initiatives in developing countries. Candidates should have a proven track record of coordinating and managing field teams, as well as experience in integrated health approaches and routine immunization campaigns.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, knowledge of a local language such as Swahili or Lingala is considered an asset, as it can enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is six months, and the working arrangement is office-based with travel to health regions and districts within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from individuals with disabilities. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.