1.      Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide coordination and technical support to the planning, organization and implementation of the EPI comprehensive review by the WCO Afghanistan with support from GAVI Alliance.

Specifically, it aims to provide high-level strategic coordination and technical support to the in-depth review of the National Expanded Programme on Immunization, including desk review of available documents, development/adaptation of the review tools, training of the international and national reviewers, oversight of the field work/data collection and analysis, consolidation of inputs of the review teams, and preparation of the final report. The review findings and recommendations will serve as baseline for strengthening programme management of the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (NEPI) in Afghanistan.  The EPI review findings will contribute to the Situation Analysis of the National Immunization Strategy that will be developed for 2026-2030.

2.      Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been providing extensive technical support to NEPI in Afghanistan for many years. Following the regime change in 2021, the domestic funding of the National EPI drastically decreased. GAVI is generously supporting the costs of GAVI vaccines co-financing and NEPI management at the national, regional and provincial level. The costs of the basic vaccines have been covered by JICA which is no longer able to continue the funding; the existing gap in USD 5.5 M is partially covered by the World Bank. BPHS (Basic Package of Health Services) NGOs are largely providing immunization services funded by the World Bank through Health Emergency Response (HER); the funding amount is not sufficient to cover all needs particularly for the regular outreach sessions.

The last EPI review was conducted in 2017 and the new assessment will provide an excellent baseline for the current status of the National Immunization Programme; findings and recommendations will feed into the Situation Analysis of the National Immunization Strategy (NIS) which has to be developed for 2026-2030. National EPI will be better equipped for the development of the goals, objectives and strategies on routine immunization.

3.      Planned Timelines

·         50 days consultancy (remote work and field work in Afghanistan)

·         Start date: 15 September 2024

·         End date: 30 November 2024

4.      Work to Be Performed

Output 1: EPI comprehensive review is planned, organized and implemented according to the WHO guidelines with support of the collaboration with national and international reviewers.

Deliverable 1.1: Desk review of existing core documents and data on the National EPI strategies, policies and performance is conducted

·         Analysis of existing National Immunization Strategy and Plan is conducted

·         Performance of the National Immunization Programme over the last 10 years is conducted; the trends and challenges are identified

·         Summary technical report on desk review is submitted

Deliverable 1.2: Comprehensive EPI review planned and organized; EPI review tools developed; field review conducted:

·         A plan for conducting the review with timetable is developed

·         Data collection tools are developed

·         Teams of external and internal reviewers are formulated

·         Team of international/national reviewers is trained

·         The field visits are planned and conducted

Deliverable 1.3: Narrative summary report and strategic analysis of the findings of the field visits and meetings with the NEPI focal points are developed

·         Summary account of the field visits to selected regions and provinces of Afghanistan and semi-structured interviews with senior management of the Ministry of Public Health, National EPI, REMTs/PEMTs, national and international partners highlighting most important findings and recommendations is developed

·         Summary of the strategic analysis of the NEPI and service providers activities in addressing the routine immunization challenges in Afghanistan based on interviews and discussions with stakeholders is provided

·         Prepare post field preliminary results debriefing for the MoH

Deliverable 1.4: An EPI review report is developed; it includes:

·         Narrative report on the findings

·         Analytical report on the findings and main recommendations of the field visits

·         Strategic account of the main achievements, challenges and lessons learned from the available documents and stakeholders’ feedback

·         Main recommendations on the strengthening NEPI programme management

5.      Specific Requirements

Qualifications required:

• University Degree in Medicine and a Master’s degree in public health.

Experience required:

• At least 10 years’ experience in health leadership and policy planning at country, Regional and/or HQ levels. 
• Previous experience with EPI comprehensive reviews. 
• Experience in vaccine preventable diseases and immunization 
• Previous experience with writing analytical reports. 
• Desirable: WHO experience 

Skills

• Strong communication skills 
• Good report writing skills in English. 

Language Requirements:

•          Excellent knowledge of English (speaking/writing).

• 6      Place of Assignment 

–          Remote assignment and field visits in Afghanistan

Medical clearance : The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.) All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

 Additional Information section

·         This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

·         Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

·         Remuneration is in line with WHO consultant established rates

·         Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO

·         A written test may be used as a form of screening.

·         If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

·         For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

·         WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

·         WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

·         Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

·         WHO’s workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

·         Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.

·         WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:
(a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated;
(b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided;
(c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

Qualifications

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