Job no: 547580
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Level: P-4
Location: Senegal
Categories: Health, Supply/Logistics
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, vaccine.

The Immunization Supply Chain Specialist reports to and works under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Chief of Supply and in close collaboration with the Health section and Immunization unit.

Under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Supply, the purpose of the position is to provide technical support to countries in WCARO with special focus on priority countries to improve Immunization supply chain (iSC) management through Effective Vaccine Management (EVM), Cold Chain Equipment management (CCEOP, Covax), Temperature monitoring, Vaccine stock management, functioning National Logistics Working Groups and general support to an integration of health related supply chains and systems.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job:

Under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Supply, the purpose of the position is to provide technical support to countries in WCARO with special focus on priority countries to improve Immunization supply chain (iSC) management through Effective Vaccine Management (EVM), Cold Chain Equipment management (CCEOP, Covax), Temperature monitoring, Vaccine stock management, functioning National Logistics Working Groups and general support to an integration of health related supply chains and systems.

Summary of results-based key functions/accountabilities:

The incumbent is expected to carry out the following tasks:

EVM assessment

Undertake UNICEF lead Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessments,
Develop the EVM based Improvement Plan (cIP) and ensure the link to Immunization financing through comprehensive Multi Year Plan (cMYPs) and Health System Strengthening (HSS),
Support the national EPI team and partners to implement cIP towards better performance across the supply chain standards,
Monitor implementation and report progress against programmatic indicators.
Cold Chain Equipment Management (CCEM)

Support and/or coordinate the whole process of the CCE applications (CCEOP, Covax, etc.). It should include:
Cold chain inventory and its report
Rehabilitation plan
Maintenance plan
CCE deployment plan
Support the national team to complete the CCE application form and budget to the highly acceptable level,
Follow up with countries on Cold Chain Equipment purchase and deployment through dashboard,
Provide technical advice and support to the Immunization team to strengthen routine immunization supply chain for Cold Chain Equipment used for the storage and transport of vaccines,
Support the CCE implementation in close collaboration with Programme Division and Supply Division.

Temperature Monitoring and Control (TMC)
- Assist the National Logistics Working Groups (NLWG) to conduct temperature mapping for cold rooms at all levels using WHO tool (protocol, training, data analysis),
- Support countries and build capacity in reporting on each of the temperature mapping studies conducted based on method, results and recommendations,
- Coordinate the temperature monitoring study in selected countries. It should include:
- Develop or adapt a protocol and determine the sites (routes)
- Organize a workshop on the protocol, methodology and monitoring tools
- Coordinate the preparation and collection of the study packets which include data loggers, vaccine samples and monitoring tools
- Analyze the data utilizing the data analysis tool
Prepare a technical report for each temperature monitoring study based on method, results and recommendations
- Support the development and deployment of guidance, training materials and SOPs to ensure adoption and sustained use of the system by EPI / Logistics managers.

Supply Chain Strengthening and Collaboration
- Provide leadership, technical advice and guidance to Country Offices, Government Counterparts and Partners on strategic an operational planning, to integrate cold chain and logistics components into national plans and proposals and development / update of national strategies, tool and guidance on CCL policies and procedures integration,
- Support countries to implement iSC interventions to improve coverage and equity,
- Assist countries in New Vaccine application and/or HSS development,
- Identify country operational weaknesses in Cold Chain and Vaccine Management and opportunities for capacity development. Develop training activities specific for cold chain and vaccine management for the region, partners and country offices and including with the aim of integrating parallel systems for efficiency gains,
- Support the establishment or strengthening of the NLWG to ensure national ownership of all planned activities,
- Build synergies between Immunization and Supply units to strengthen the supply chain capacity and work towards close collaboration through the integration of supply chain considerations in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation,
- Provide supply input to donor dialogue, and support development of supply components of proposals to donors including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies and services,
- Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices on supply chain management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient supply chains for children.

LMIS and Data for Management (D4M)
- Provide regular feedback on Vaccine stock and Cold chain management,
- Support trainings on iSC data management for decision making,
Support countries to develop and implement SOPs, guidance on effective stock management and relevant data flows for operational and reporting systems,
- Support countries to provide visibility on stock tracking and consumption to minimize overstocks and reduce stockouts at a subnational level.

Sustainability
Gather and country experiences on health facility electrification and solarization projects and in collaboration with the health and immunization team, evaluate their impact on immunization and primary health care, with a focus on zero dose communities
In collaboration with partners and headquarters, develop guidance and support the country implementation of health facility solarization based on evaluation studies
Support countries to proactively advocate for the funding and planning of waste management activities
Support training, guidance implementation and planning in optimal waste management practices.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:
- Advanced university degree in Business Administration; Cold Chain and Logistics, Health / Immunization Supply Chain Management, Public Health or related field.
*A first level university degree in a relevant technical field (as identified above) in conjunction with two additional years of relevant work experience in Cold Chain and Logistics, Health / Immunization Supply Chain Management and/or other directly-related technical field with a relevant professional certification may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.
- At least 8 years of experience in logistics, cold chain management, health / immunization supply chain; of which at least 4 years in developing countries.
- Knowledge of the latest development in the field of temperature studies and/or cold chain equipment management is highly desirable
- Experience in conducting health supply chain assessments, EVM assessments, GDP audits would be an added value.
- Fluency in English and French is required. Another official UN language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
- Works Collaboratively with others (2)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
- Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
- To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

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.

* This position is based in Dakar, the incumbent will therefore be expected to live and work from Dakar (the duty station).