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, a future…
The ‘base-case’ scenario of WHO’s November 2023 Roadmap for COVID-19 vaccines is that the virus continues to evolve but does not become more virulent. Periodic spikes in transmission may occur because of an increasing proportion of susceptible individuals over time if waning immunity is significant; this may require periodic boosting at least for high-priority populations (2). The roadmap recommends that high-risk groups receive COVID-19 vaccine annually. High risk groups are older adults with co-morbidities that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19; adults, adolescents, and children older than 6 months with moderate to severe immunocompromising conditions; pregnant women, and health care workers.
While COVID-19 vaccine was primarily delivered through mass vaccination during the pandemic, the recommended and more sustainable approach is now to integrate COVID-19 vaccine delivery with routine health services. Hence, in line with the WHO Roadmap, and the Government of Malawi’s latest guidance on COVID-19 vaccination, the COVID-19 vaccination delivery should transition to routine service delivery platforms and prioritize high-risk groups.
Following WHO and UNICEF guidance (3), Malawi has commenced integrating COVID-19 vaccines into their routine immunization programme and broader health systems. It has already taken steps to integrate COVID-19 vaccine into care pathways of high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and people living with HIV. However, so far there is little evidence on how these existing models integrate COVID-19 vaccination into the clinical services that serve these populations.
The service of a consultant is therefore required to provide oversight for the conduct of a study that will provide evidence on strategies and models for the integrated delivery of COVID-19 vaccination within routine care for the high-risk groups of People Living With HIV as recommended by the WHO Scientific Advisory Group on Emergency (SAGE). The study is intended to collect evidence on the acceptability, feasibility, effectiveness, cost of COVID-19 vaccine routine delivery and document practices, enablers, and challenges to delivery for this target group.
How can you make a difference?
Working with KUHeS, the consultant will provide evidence on the delivery of COVID-19 vaccine into routine services. The consultant will ensure the output of documentation that:
1. Describes the existing COVID-19 vaccination delivery model(s) in HIV (and/or TB) affected patients delivered within routine HIV and/or TB clinics.
2. Identifies the barriers and facilitators of COVID-19 vaccine delivery to HIV and/or TB patients.
3. Assesses the uptake, and associated determinants of COVID-19 vaccination uptake, in HIV (and/or TB) patients.
4. Assesses and maps how COVID-19 vaccine delivery is integrated within HIV/AIDS (and/or TB clinics), including examining integration of health systems functions.
5. Collates health care professionals (HCPs) and programme managers’ experience and views of the feasibility, acceptability and experience of integrating C-19 vaccine delivery into HIV (and/or TB) clinics.
B. Support the dissemination of evidence to country government on how to optimize the integrated delivery of COVID-19 vaccination into routine services.
C. Support the dissemination of evidence to the Global public health and immunization community.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education:
• Advanced university degree in public health, pediatric/adolescent health, social sciences, epidemiology, or any development related field is required.
Work experience:
• At least 2 years of professional experience post qualification at national level, including field experience and expertise in HIV programming, immunization, or any other related field.
• Those with familiarity with UNICEF working processes and procedures will have added advantage.
• Technical field experience with data collection and pathway analytics would be an asset.
Technical skills, competencies, and knowledge:
• A set of strong qualitative and quantitative collection and analytical skills and a good understanding of translating evidence into policy and programmatic implementation will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships.
• Familiarity with UNICEF processes for evidence generation through operational research, data collection, analysis, and development of peer reviewed manuscripts.
Languages:
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills is required.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
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.
HOW TO APPLY…
Interested Individual Consultant should provide the following:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Academic certificates
- Brief technical proposal (no longer than five pages) demonstrating the Individual Consultant’s understanding of the assignment and approach/methodology to the assignment
- Financial proposal including a breakdown of their all-inclusive fees (including professional fees, stationery, communication, and other miscellaneous costs). Financial Proposal for Consultancy.xlsx Complete the attached form.
- References details from three most recent supervisors.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
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 and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
