International Vaccine and Supply Chain Management Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of children and ensure their well-being. The organization focuses on providing assistance in health, education, and protection, particularly in the most disadvantaged areas. UNICEF's mission is to reach every child, everywhere, every day, and to build a better world for everyone. With a workforce of thousands of employees, UNICEF is committed to making a significant impact on the lives of children and families globally.

Job Overview:
The International Vaccine and Supply Chain Management Specialist will play a crucial role in enhancing the immunization services in Uzbekistan, particularly focusing on vaccine stock management and forecasting. This position aims to address the challenges of vaccine stockouts and improve the overall efficiency of the supply chain. The specialist will work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other relevant authorities to ensure that vaccines are available at all levels, from storage to distribution. The role involves training MOH staff, assessing storage capacities, updating management tools, and implementing new systems for better visibility and traceability of vaccine stocks. The specialist will also contribute to the development of guidelines and training materials to support the introduction of new vaccines and improve existing practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the International Vaccine and Supply Chain Management Specialist include:

• Training the MOH’s national logistics working group on vaccine management and deployment of ancillary products.
• Assessing the MOH’s dry storage and cold chain capacity and developing plans to address identified gaps.
• Identifying potential storage and transportation facilities for vaccines and ancillary products.
• Updating vaccine stock management tools and operating procedures to reflect new vaccine characteristics.
• Preparing dashboards to visualize vaccine stock trends and evaluations.
• Adapting training materials for new vaccine introductions and conducting training sessions.
• Supporting the use of the ViVa platform for data entry and reporting.
• Conducting temperature mapping studies and coordinating temperature monitoring studies in selected regions.
• Developing guidance and training materials for health workers on cold chain management. 1
• Supporting the development of internal control frameworks and SOPs for supply chain management. 1
• Implementing digital tools for tracking supplies and improving last-mile distribution solutions. 1
• Conducting training sessions on logistics and inventory management for MOH staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in a relevant field such as business planning, supply chain management, economics, international development studies, medicine, or logistics. An advanced degree is preferred. Relevant work experience may substitute for formal education in cases where the degree does not align with the field. Candidates should have at least 8 years of experience in international public health program management, including a minimum of 3 years in immunization, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Experience in logistics management systems, supply chain analysis, health systems strengthening, and interfacing with national ministries of health is highly advantageous.

Educational Background:
A university degree is required, with an advanced degree being an advantage. The degree should preferably be in a relevant field such as business planning, supply chain management, economics, international development studies, medicine, or logistics. In cases where a university degree is not aligned with a relevant field, relevant work experience can be considered as a substitute.

Experience:
The position requires at least 8 years of experience in international public health program management, with a specific focus on immunization for at least 3 years. Candidates should have experience working in low- and middle-income countries and possess knowledge in logistics management systems, supply chain bottleneck analysis, and health systems strengthening. Familiarity with inventory policies and supply chain operations is essential, as is experience interfacing with national ministries of health.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Knowledge of Russian or Uzbek is considered an added value, enhancing communication and collaboration with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a total of 190 days, with travel requirements including monthly trips to the field for monitoring and training purposes. The consultant will be responsible for their own tax liabilities and must ensure that all necessary visas and health insurance are valid for the duration of the contract. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, unless they are working remotely and not interacting with UNICEF premises or communities.