Consultant ( Coordination of Vaccination and Strengthening of the Health System )

( 2304310 )

Grade: No grade

Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement ( SSA )

Contract Duration ( Years, Months, Days ): 1 Year

Job Posting: May 10, 2023, 6:44:33 AM

Title position: Coordination of vaccination and strengthening of the health system

Grade: NBO

Major Office: WCO / STP

Duty Station: Sao Tome & Principe

Nature of Position: SSA

Duration of the mission: 12 months ( 01 June 2023 to 01 June 2024 )

First Level Supervisor: HPR / SD

I. Background and Justification

The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded the world of the value of vaccines in the fight against disease to save lives and create a healthier future, safer and more prosperous. Today, there is an urgent need to rapidly and fairly increase immunization coverage against COVID-19 and to act collectively to resume routine immunization activities that have suffered the consequences of the pandemic of COVID-19.

The current supply and supply system for COVID-19 vaccines is temporary and cannot be sustainable in terms of human and financial resources. It is therefore necessary to widen the supply of vaccination service against COVID-19 thanks to the integration of vaccination against COVID-19 in routine vaccination or other established health services for specific population groups.

The integration of COVID-19 vaccination into routine vaccination is not limited to jointly offering ( COVID-19 and routine vaccination ) at the service level. It should also consider components such as planning, budgeting, joint coordination under the Ministry of Health, Human Resources, capacity building, advanced and integrated mobile strategies, community engagement and social communication, cold chain and vaccine management, data management, integrated program monitoring, monitoring MAPIs, etc.

There is an opportunity to capitalize on the investments, innovations and new tools developed in the context of vaccination against COVID-19 for the strengthening of vaccination programs.

Strengthening the Expanded Immunization Program at central and district levels will contribute to strengthening primary health care services. The implementation of effective vaccination programs for children and adults ( vaccination against COVID-19 ) will play an important role in the establishment in Sao Tome and Principe of a resident and sustainable primary health system, which is one of the pillars of tomorrow’s global health security.

Summary of activities

In collaboration with the coordinator of the Expanded Immunization Program, the candidate will be responsible for the following functions: AT. Implementation of an effective strategy for integrating vaccination against COVID-19 into routine vaccination

•  Organize a workshop to present the WHO recommendations regarding the development of the plan for integration of vaccination against COVID-19 in primary health services with the contribution of the organizations concerned ( National Committee for coordination of the response to COVID -19, technical working group led by National Immunization Program Coordinator, National Regulatory Authority, AEFI Committee, Surveillance and other relevant groups such as private sector )
•  Multi-sectoral conduct consultations on COVID-19 vaccine integration between government entities and programs ( e.g. EPI, MNT ), civil society, donors, development partners, CCM and other higher level bodies .
•  Conduct a situation analysis to assess the country’s status at national and sub-national levels for integrating COVID-19 vaccination into EPI services and other appropriate services
•  Organize workshops to identify target groups for vaccination
•  Organize working sessions in the districts for the development of micro plans aimed at the integration of vaccination against COVID-19 in primary health services following WHO guidelines
•  Consolidate the district micro-plans to lead to the overall plan for the integration of vaccination against COVID-19 in primary health services
•  Develop the overall plan for integrating COVID-19 vaccination into primary health services
•  Develop a monitoring plan for the implementation of the plan to integrate vaccination against COVID-19 in primary health services
•  Implement the strategy for integrating vaccination against COVID-19 in primary health services

B. Development of the national vaccination strategy

•  Adapt WHO documents for Sao Tome and Principe situation
•  Organize working meetings with stakeholders
•  Participate in meetings with IST/AFRO
•  Perform the situation analysis
•  Organize working sessions with government entities and programs (e.g. EPI, SIS, Surveillance), civil society, donors, development partners, CCM and other higher level bodies.
•  Organize meetings for the budgeting of activities
•  Write the national vaccination strategy
•  Organize a session for the validation of the national vaccination strategy

C. Strengthening of EPI planning and coordination capacities

•  Strengthen coordination with actors involved in the vaccination activity, including district health delegates by organizing regular meetings
•  Support the creation of NITAG
•  Facilitate management training for health delegates and EPI managers to support the planning and implementation of effective immunization integration

i. Facilitate collaboration with the chosen training organization

ii. Define training needs

iii. Participate in management training for managers of the Ministry of Health

D.Training

•  Organize joint routine vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination trainings in all districts
•  Organize working sessions with leaders of HIV, TB, Malaria, Non-Communicable Diseases, Neglected Diseases to reach high-risk populations
•  Organize training in each district for all health professionals in the country to engage and improve COVID 19 vaccination coverage among health workers

E. Monitoring and evaluation

•  Work in collaboration with the EPI data manager and the Health Information System team to ensure good data quality and the development of monthly reports to be disseminated to stakeholders
•  Update immunization data on the WHO Dashboard
•  Participate in weekly meetings organized by WHO
•  Set up telephone teams to call back vulnerable people who have not been vaccinated
•  Support the implementation of the vaccination coverage study
•  Support the supervision of vaccination teams

i. Update monitoring tools

ii. Develop field reports describing the gaps observed

F. Communication and demand generation

•  In collaboration with other partners, support the review and development of information, education and communication materials
•  Disseminate guidance documents and materials to countries for adaptation.
•  Support communications monitoring for demand generation, myths and misconceptions and mitigation measures in the region.
•  Ensure that community leaders and community health workers participate in social communication and community engagement activities
•  Continue to support NGO activities for community engagement
•  Support the improvement of the coordination of the work of civil society

G. Perform any ad hoc tasks that may be assigned

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Diplomas:

Essential :

Master’s degree in public health or epidemiology or other health-related field, obtained from a recognized university or institution.

– Others :

•  Excellent knowledge of statistical software, communication packages and Microsoft applications (eg Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.).
•  Certificat de participation au cours Prevention & Response to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

Experience

Essential :

At least 3 (three) years of professional experience in the field of public health or epidemiology, preferably in vaccination.

Desirable:

•  Experience in immunization or EPI programs or professional experience in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the national or international level.
•  Experience in immunization data management or surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases.
•  Experience working within the United Nations system in related fields.

Skill

•  Produce results
•  Communicate Credibly and Effectively (Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including report writing and presentation skills.)
•  Create and promote partnerships across the organization and beyond.
•  Strong organizational skills
•  Autonomous work
•  Ability to integrate and work in a team, including the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
•  Ensure efficient use of resources
•  Respect and promote individual and cultural differences

Functional knowledge and skills

•  Medical experience with public health experience in the prevention and control of COVID-19
•  Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of vaccine preventable disease epidemiology.
•  Demonstrated expertise in the development and evaluation of disease surveillance systems in a public health setting
•  Ability to identify needs and provide appropriate recommendations
•  Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and data analysis.
•  Ability to prepare clear and accurate documentation and data presentations
•  Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with various audiences
•  Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners and provide support and guidance as needed
•  Ability to work independently and take initiative
•  Ability to work and produce results under pressure and meet deadlines

Working languages

Essential :

Specialized knowledge in Portuguese.

Desirable:

Knowledge of English or French.

Emplacement

The candidate will be based in Sao Tome and Principe

Expected duration of the contract