Consultant for immunization (COVID-19 and routine)

BACKGROUND

Lao PDR has been implementing the COVID-19 vaccine program in line with their National Vaccine Deployment Plan, achieving over 25% coverage of total population by September 2021.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines in Lao PDR have reach the top priority group of frontline workers including healthcare workers. The next priority groups are the elderly and people with underlying conditions. It is important that the programme focus on vaccinating the priority groups - to minimize the risk of severe diseases and death from COVID-19 – while ensuring routine immunization services are preserved.

There are many experts who believe that COVID-19 will not be eradicated but will become endemic, continuing to circulate in pockets and causing outbreaks even in regions where there is overall protection from immunization much like measles. As COVID-19 vaccine access improves, COVID-19 is becoming a vaccine preventable disease (VPD) and will likely need to be integrated, controlled and managed into the immunization system in coordination with surveillance and other public health interventions needed, just as with other new vaccines.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The WHO Lao PDR country office is seeking a company, to be based in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), to support the National Immunization program of the Ministry of Health of Lao PDR. The company will advise on all aspects of routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, placing focus on the development of tailored strategies to promote integration and community engagement to achieve high and equitable vaccination coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output/s

Under the supervision of the Vaccine Preventable Disease & Immunization (VDI) Team Lead and the management of the WHO Representative, a company will be responsible for delivering the following:

Output 1: Management and coordination:  Assist the WCO and National Immunization on all aspects of management and coordination of COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization  materials.

• • Deliverable 1.1 – Coordination with NIP, CCEH and UNICEF in developing, revising and implementing workplans related to COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization.
• • Deliverable 1.2 – Coordinate with NIP and relevant MOH departments/centers on dissemination of the performance and IEC materials through appropriate channels.

Output 2: Initiation of integration of COVID-19 vaccine delivery with routine programs: 

• • Deliverable 2.1 – Update, finalize and tailored tools for integrating COVID-19 delivery with other essential health services including routine child immunization with the appropriate national policies and strategies.
• • Deliverable 2.2 – Support NIP in implementing related activities from GAVI HSS especially supportive supervision and quarterly community meeting.

Output 3: Risk communication

• • Deliverable 3.1 – Support WHO Representative in all aspects of coordination with MOH and development partners on risk communication on vaccinate safety, AEFI and immunization-related communications such as draft talking points for press release and/or press conference.
• • Deliverable 3.2 – Work with MOH to identify and formalize the core spokesperson for risk communication related to COVID-19 vaccination as well as routine immunization.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

• • Advanced university degree in Public Health
• • Medical background is desirable 

EXPERIENCE

The company shall propose suitable candidates with at least 8 - 10 years of experience (Mid/Senior Level) of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in management, vaccines preventable diseases, and routine immunization.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Technical expertise
• • Communication
• • Organisation skills
• • Personable

LANGUAGES

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Written and spoken fluency in another UN or Lao language is desirable.

COMPETENCIES

• • Teamwork
• • Producing results
• • Ensuring effective use of resources
• • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• • The company proposing individual(s) not currently in Lao PDR will likely be required to complete a fourteen days quarantine on arrival.
• • Duration of contract is for initial period of 3 months

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested candidates should submit their brief project proposal (including budget) with a CV of proposed specialist to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 21 September 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 144713 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.