Consultant for Vaccine Supply Chain Management

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 some of the world's most challenging environments, aiming to reach the most disadvantaged children. UNICEF's mission is to save lives, defend rights, and help children fulfill their potential. The organization employs thousands of staff members globally, working collaboratively with governments, NGOs, and other partners to implement programs that address health, education, and protection for children.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing local capacity for managing vaccine supply chains for routine immunization across Malawi. This position involves developing a sustainable model for integrating drone delivery into the vaccine supply chain, focusing on financial sustainability and government ownership. The consultant will also work to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders and partners to support drone delivery for routine immunization and emergency responses. The role requires the consultant to assist in the rollout of the drone delivery system to all districts, particularly targeting hard-to-reach communities. Additionally, the consultant will expand Geo-enabled Microplanning across all 29 districts in Malawi and improve routine immunization planning and execution by implementing GIS-driven recommendations for outreach clinics, routine immunizations, and campaigns. This position is vital for addressing the challenges faced by Malawi's immunization program, which include reliance on outdated data collection methods and inaccurate population estimates.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance to enhance local capacity for managing vaccine supply chains for routine immunization nationwide.
• Develop a sustainable model for incorporating drone delivery into the vaccine supply chain, emphasizing financial sustainability and government ownership.
• Strengthen the capacity of stakeholders and partners to support drone delivery for routine immunization and emergency responses.
• Assist in the rollout of the drone delivery system to all districts, particularly those with hard-to-reach communities.
• Expand Geo-enabled Microplanning across all 29 districts in Malawi.
• Improve routine immunization planning and execution by implementing GIS-driven recommendations for outreach clinics, routine immunizations, and campaigns.
• Collaborate with local health authorities and stakeholders to ensure effective integration of drone delivery solutions into existing healthcare systems.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the drone delivery system and make recommendations for improvements.
• Provide training and capacity-building support to health workers on drone delivery and GIS.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree in Public/Environmental Health, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is required.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in immunization or health supply chain management, with a specific focus on data management is required.
• Proven experience in supporting vaccine delivery using drones and GIS microplanning, including routine immunizations and emergency campaigns is required.
• Experience working with government health systems, NGOs, or international organizations, particularly in low-resource settings is required.
• Familiarity with WHO guidelines on cold chain and vaccine storage is required.
• Experience in capacity-building, including training health workers on drone delivery and GIS, is desirable.
• Experience working with the UN will be an asset.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Public/Environmental Health, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage vaccine supply chains and implement innovative solutions such as drone delivery systems.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have at least 5 years of professional experience in immunization or health supply chain management. This experience should include a specific focus on data management and proven experience in supporting vaccine delivery using drones and GIS microplanning. Additionally, experience working with government health systems, NGOs, or international organizations, particularly in low-resource settings, is required. Familiarity with WHO guidelines on cold chain and vaccine storage is also necessary, along with experience in capacity-building and training health workers.

Languages:
Good proficiency in English, both written and spoken, is required for this position. This language skill is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, partners, and team members involved in the vaccine supply chain management and drone delivery initiatives.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy position does not specify a deadline for applications. It is important to note that 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. They will not be entitled to benefits provided to staff members, such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage. The conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Selected candidates 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. Additionally, selected candidates must ensure that their visa and health insurance are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates will also be required to confirm their fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a WHO-endorsed vaccine prior to taking up the assignment, unless they are working remotely and not expected to interact with UNICEF's programs or communities.