VACCINE AND LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Duty Station:  Partner/IP Office (EPI-HQ, Mohakhali)

Contract Duration:  12 Months

Number of Vacancies: 01

Contract Type: Contract with E-Zone.

Contract Start Date:  Immediate             

Reporting to: Health Officer (eEPI)

A.    Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical support to DGHS in implementing the Vaccine Intelligence Network (VaxIN), EPI E-tracker, and GISbased online microplanning to reach vulnerable children with quality and equity immunization services. This includes the support of the Immunization Supply Chain and Logistics (ISCL) to EPI-HQ, which focuses on building the capacity for monitoring vaccine and logistics management. The consultant will also support national and sub-national EPI in on-the-job orientation and troubleshooting and monitor the timely reporting and quality of data using different-level teams.

This consultancy will build the capacity of EPI government staff to take over the training on MIS and analysis of data for decision-making, and hands-on support in this area of work will be phased out over the duration of this consultancy. Furthermore, the consultancy will focus on implementing new systems for the Vaccine Intelligence Network (VaxIN), which needs assistance in the starting-up phase. Gavi and the EPI partners expect this particular UN Agencies‘ support in this area of work.

This consultancy will significantly contribute to leveraging this particular UN Agencies‘ priority results through DGHS in EPI-HQ under the Gavi CDS, HSS3, OCV, and HPV projects.

B.    Background

Despite overall progress toward the achievement of the EPI objectives, inequities persist. In particular, the program does not yet reach all children equally across different socioeconomic groups and geographical locations. According to the Coverage Evaluation Survey (CES), EPI performance varies significantly between districts. For example, the gap in coverage of the valid Fully Vaccinated Child (FVC) between the district with the highest (95.6% in Bhola) and the lowest (64.9% in Khagrachari) coverage was 30.7%. In terms of FVC, the gap between the hard-to-reach (HTR) (81.4%) and non-HTR (84.6%) areas was more than 3%. The immunization coverage of urban areas (79%) of Bangladesh lags by 5 percent compared to national coverage (84%). This is mainly due to the dichotomy of the health service delivery, i.e., MOH&FW, local government Institutes, and the lack of dedicated vaccinators in the big Cities.

A critical challenge for the immunization program in Bangladesh is reaching the remaining pockets of unvaccinated and unreached children. Data collection exercises do not track spatial distinctions of populations living in slums, which are often not factored in official statistics and are generally hidden within urban averages. One of the UN Agencies is supporting MOH in developing a comprehensive social and behavior change communication (SBCC) strategy focusing on equity in accessibility and quality by ensuring reaching out to vulnerable, hard-to-reach, and excluded populations at the sub-national level. COVID-19 vaccination is another burden for the health system, and retaining high routine coverage is facing more challenges. 

EPI, DGHS is planning to expand individual tracking for Immunization based on the OpenSRP platform with equity focus District Evidence-Based Planning and Budgeting (DEPB) in 16 low-performing districts and 8 city corporations under Gavi HSS3 and MACP support after successful pilot phase implementation of Immunization Tracker in Moulvibazar, and DSCC. This particular UN Agencies has received the funds from the donor and is responsible for implementing these activities. This TOR has been developed to recruit Jamalpur and Netrokona District consultants to support EPI and DGHS.

C.     Objectives and Expected Results

The consultant  continues  to  support  the  improvement  of  equitable  routine  immunization  coverage nationwide with equity evidence-based planning and provides support in activities integrating EPI with PHC, the implementation of the HPV, MR, TCV, JE, and OCV vaccination campaign, COVID-19 and the implementation of SBCC-related interventions for both routine, campaign and COVID-19. In addition, technical assistance will be provided to EPI-HQ in implementing the VaxIN, VaxEPI, EPI e-tracker, online microplanning, and technology-based innovations to reach vulnerable children with quality and equity immunization services.

The consultancy of ‘National Vaccine and Logistics Officer’ is essential to strengthening routine EPI through implementing new vaccine introduction and vaccination campaigns, DEPB, EPI E-Tracker, integration with PHC, innovations, SBCC intervention, and increased coverage in slums and high-risk groups of children. The consultant will provide support in implementing effective local-level evidence-based planning, which is developed with local implementers, along with the implementation of appropriate innovative approaches and SBCC interventions, which is crucial to achieving equitable coverage for immunization. For that reason, intensive support in EPI-HQ is essential. The consultant will also support implementing the HPV, MR, TCV, JE, and OCV vaccination campaign, VaxIN, EPI micro plan review, and immunization DEPB.

D. Key Tasks and Responsibilities

The consultant, during the contracting period, will support the Division Director, Health and Civil Surgeons

to:

·         Provide technical support to roll out and implement the Vaccine Intelligence Network System (VaxIN) throughout the country.

·         Conducted capacity building on VaxIN all over Bangladesh.

·         Conducted capacity building on the HPV campaign management, including online microplanning, daily vaccination reports, and real-time monitoring tools all over Bangladesh.

·         Conducted capacity building on the VaxEPI system and real-time monitoring tools all over Bangladesh.

·         Conducted capacity building on the GIS-based online microplanning (DHIS2/OpenSRP) for EPI personnel all over Bangladesh.

·         Conducted capacity building on the OpenSRP-based Immunization E-Tracker and real-time monitoring tools all over Bangladesh.

·         Provide support in capacity-building activities of EPI officials for planning and monitoring the routine EPI vaccine and logistics of current stock, as well as receiving and supplying at EPI HQ.

·         Provide support for active monitoring through EPI management for ensuring Monthly reporting in DHIS2 by District, Upazila, Mun, & CC (Form 1&2, Form 3, Form 4, and indent)

·         Prepare reporting completeness and timeliness reports during the online microplanning implementation of the routine EPI and campaigns. Ensure a 100% reporting rate from all Upazila, Municipality, and City corporations by all EPI centers.

·         Provide support to EPI-DGHS for VLMIS data update

·         Assisted in ensuring routine EPI vaccine and logistics stock data analysis and stock data check (record of register, VaxIN, and physical status) through EPI management. Also, support to follow-up District and Upazila mun, CC regarding data mismatch, negative balance, wastage rate negative and high wastage etc)

·         Regularly participate in planning and coordination meetings and support PM-EPI/LD MNCAH and this particular UN Agency regarding data.

·         Provide support in drafting the monthly stock and situational report for the global team.

·         Provide support to HPV vaccine introduction activities like updating the EPI campaign server (Org unit creation, User ID, and Password creation) and support during campaign implementation, HPV micro plan, vaccination, and day-to-day coverage monitoring.

·         Provide support to LD/PM/DPM for the preparation of immunization-related reports.

E. Deliverables

·         Report on the rollout and implementation of the vaccine intelligence network system (VaxIN) throughout the country.

·         Conducted capacity building on VaxIN all over Bangladesh.

·         Conducted capacity building on the HPV campaign management, including online microplanning, daily vaccination reports, and real-time monitoring tools all over Bangladesh.

·         Conducted capacity building on the VaxEPI system and real-time monitoring tools all over Bangladesh.

·         Conducted capacity building on the GIS-based online microplanning (DHIS2/OpenSRP) for EPI personnel all over Bangladesh.

·         Conducted capacity building on the OpenSRP-based Immunization E-Tracker and real-time monitoring tools all over Bangladesh.

·         Provide support in capacity-building activities of EPI officials for planning and monitoring the routine

·         EPI vaccine and logistics of current stock, as well as receiving and supplying at EPI HQ.

·         Provide support for active monitoring through EPI management for ensuring Monthly reporting in DHIS2 by District, Upazila, Mun, & CC (Form 1&2, Form 3, Form 4, and indent)

·         Report on completeness and timeliness reports during the online microplanning implementation of the routine EPI and campaigns. Ensure a 100% reporting rate from all Upazila, Municipality, and City corporations by all EPI centers.

·         Report on routine EPI vaccine and logistics stock data analysis and stock data check (record of register, VaxIN, and physical status) through EPI management. Also, support to follow-up District and Upazila mun, CC regarding data mismatch, negative balance, wastage rate negative and high wastage, etc).

·         Drafting the monthly stock and situational report for the global team.

·         Final deliverable report

F. Payment

The consultant will get BDT 125,000 per month with DSA.

G. Administrative Issues

a)     For payment by E-Zone on due time, the Supervisor will forward the certified attendance sheet and confirmation of receiving expected deliverables for the respective period.

b)     Stationery and other office equipment will be borne by the community mobilizer

c)      The contractor/consultant will be responsible for paying all taxes as per government rules

H. Qualification Requirement

·        A degree in Social science, health education, information technology, or other social sciences is required.

·        A minimum of 1 year of professional work experience in relevant areas of rural/urban health departments, preferably in the immunization program.

·        Preference would be given to candidates with working experience in developing equity focus

·        EPI microplanning, strengthening immunization, health-related information technology implementation, and implementation of E-Tracker.

·        Working experience and familiarity with the health program of the Ministry of Health and

·        Family Welfare, Local Government Institutes, international organizations, or any other agencies will be an asset

·        Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of software development is an added advantage.

I.     Language Requirement

·         Fluency in Bangla and good English communication skills are required.

This position is open for Bangladeshi Nationals only. All candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds can apply for the vacancies.

The UN Agency prides itself as fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected consultants will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Candidates with the required profile and proven experience, who meet these qualifications, are invited to submit their application in English clearly mentioning the Job Title along with a meaningful cover letter, updated CV, recent PP size photographby email to:

Last Date of Application:  July 08 , 2024

No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated according to the merit and with strict confidentiality.