Individual National Immunization Consultant

UNICEF is a UN organization mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. In Lao PDR, UNICEF is working with its partners to support the Government to realize children’s rights on survival, development, protection and participation.

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, support

UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for a National Immunization Consultant to support implementation of Electronic Immunization Registration (EIR) tracker in Lao PDR. The duration of this assignment is 20 months starting as soon as possible and the consultant will be deployed at MCHC (Government office) with weekly reporting at UNICEF office.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The immunization consultant will be deployed at central level to provide technical assistance to Immunization Unit at the Maternal and Child Health Center (MCHC) who plays a vital role in collaborating with the provinces to plan various activities such as cold chain management, data handling, supportive supervision, and service delivery. Additionally, the unit supports provinces, districts, and health centers in planning and executing Routine Immunization (RI) activities. It assists district and health center staff in the selection of Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) for implementing the zero-dose plan, with health center workers overseeing their work. The unit also aids in training VHVs and health center-based supervisors according to guidelines for identifying and vaccinating zero dose children. Furthermore, it supports health center-based health workers in monitoring and supervising VHVs, providing them with refresher training, and estimating the number of eligible children for vaccination. Community-based advocacy meetings are conducted with village chiefs and other leaders to select volunteers if necessary. The unit actively participates in provincial and district-level immunization meetings and provides routine progress reports on immunization coverage and cold chain management.

In addition, the consultant will support following activities in 20 low performing districts:

• Coordinate electronic micro plans from all 20 low-performing districts to prepare for budget allocation for Routine Immunization (RI)
• Conduct site visits to districts and Health Centers (HCs) within the 20 low-performing districts to oversee progress toward establishing HCs as models for EPI activities.
• Accompany the data team on field visits to observe Electronic Immunization Registry (EIR) activities at the subnational level.
• Assist data and communication teams in coordinating with the Ministry of Health and provinces to ensure timely implementation of activities.
• Encourage community engagement by collaborating with community and village leaders.
• Establish a feedback mechanism from the community to the central level and from the central level to the subnational level.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Qualification and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in medicine or Public Health or any other related field
• Advanced degree in Public Health will be an advantage.

Knowledge and skills:

• Over 10 years of experience in Immunization, cold chain Management and related initiatives at National or Provincial level.
• Familiarity with the Lao PDR health system context is required.
• Experience in providing technical assistance to the government staff and capacity building activities.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and have the initiative to work independently to meet deadlines.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents:

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including medical insurance with medivac, travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment.

Assessment Criteria:

A. Technical Qualification, 75 points

Degree Education in ……… (10 points)

• Bachelor’s degree in medicine or Public Health or any other related field
• Advanced degree in Public Health will be an advantage.

Knowledge of ……….. (20 points)

• National Immunization Programme and its governance structure
• Solid understanding of Immunization guidelines and protocols

Experience in ……… (30 points)

• Supporting government in Immunization or other related programs
• Capacity building of health managers and workers
• coordinating with provinces and districts

Quality of past work (15 points)

• Assessment of previous work
• Reference checks

2. Financial Proposal (25 points)

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 50 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The Contract shall be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview, if required.

Please find attached the TOR here:  ToR_National Immunization Consultant-TMS.pdf

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at 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: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.