Immunization Specialist

BACKGROUND

There have been remarkable achievements in vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programme (VDI) in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) over the past two decades. The countries and areas have made great efforts to protect their people from Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) including attaining some landmark achievements such as sustained polio eradication, achieved maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) and controlling measles outbreaks.  Incredible contributions are also made to newborn survival, reduction of child and maternal mortality and hence supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Routine immunization remains the backbone and main element of the primary health care programme in the PICs. A well-functioning routine immunization system and high vaccination coverage are critical to achieving/sustaining national and regional VDI elimination and control goals.

Most countries/areas in the PICs faced major measles outbreaks in 2018-2019. Multiple efforts were taken including Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs) to increase the population’s immunity. Following measles outbreaks, from 2020 onward the COVID-19 pandemic has affected routine immunization services and VPDs surveillance in PICs like in many other countries in the world, resulting in decreased vaccination coverage of the national immunization programmes. At the same time, staff were repurposed to support COVID-19 response activities from the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic and then engaged in COVID-19 vaccination activities from late 2020.

VPD surveillance system has been improving, however, quality is widely varied, and needs strengthening the system. Countries and areas in the PICs also adopted the Syndromic Surveillance System where only Acute Fever and Rash (AFR) case of VPDs reports. Countries and areas also respond timely to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks through adequate investigation, management and immunization activities.

COVID-19 pandemic continues as one of the major public health problems. Most countries and areas in PICs had started COVID-19 vaccination in early 2021. They had successfully vaccinated the priority target groups by providing recommended doses. Many countries and areas are also now vaccinating adolescent groups including booster doses and many are planning/starting to vaccinate children from 5-to 11 years old age.  

Despite significant progress, VDI programmes are also experiencing a range of challenges and difficulties including delivery of immunization services to remote and scarcely populated islands, reaching vulnerable populations, utilization of services, and lack of human resource capacity. The number of target children to be vaccinated is inaccurate in a few countries, especially at service delivery points and micro-planning is mostly weak. Supportive supervision by the national and provincial/state levels is inadequate too. Data collection, management, and analysis remain challenges. Significant investments were made for COVID-19 vaccination and countries and areas need to use the COVID-19 platform for strengthening routine immunization and surveillance systems. Therefore, continued efforts are needed in the above areas toward achieving and maintaining the national vaccination coverage target of all the vaccines at the national and sub-national levels and improving surveillance indicators.

“Immunization Agenda 2030 – A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind” (IA2030) replaced the Global Vaccination Action Plan (GVAP) to address key challenges in immunization over the next decade. Through core principles of IA2030, immunization programmes are expected to address coverage and equity gaps by tracking zero-dose children and engaging representatives of communities and health providers in designing interventions. Following IA2030, a “Regional Framework for Vaccine-Preventable Disease and Immunization in the Western Pacific” was developed and endorsed by the member states where 3 strategic objectives, 18 strategies and 3 synergetic areas were outlined and described. IA2030, Regional Framework for VPD and Immunization, lessons learnt and experience of COVID-19 vaccination, and the wider health system needs to be reflected in national policies, strategies and guidelines on immunization and implemented in countries and areas in PICs.

Therefore, considering newly developed global and regional immunization strategic documents; the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination services; and the health system, WHO will continue to provide policy and strategic advice and technical support to the National Immunization Programme (NIP) and Ministry of Health (MOH) in the PICs. The main areas of support will be policy and strategy development; capacity building; strengthening the immunization system and programme as a part of the wider health system toward increasing vaccination coverage for all the vaccines in the system; strengthening VPDs and adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance system toward improving detection, reporting and quality; adequate coordination with partners.

 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The Director of Pacific Technical Support and WHO Representative Office to the South Pacific is seeking technical assistance to support the NIP and MOH in the PICs with the following objectives:

• • To review the existing policy/strategic documents and develop a common PICs immunization policy/strategy document.
• • To strengthen the immunization systems and programmes by guiding to implement of identified immunization activities toward reducing inequities of immunization coverage with a special focus on reaching the unreached; and
• • To strengthen the VPD and adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance systems including improving detection and reporting of VPDs and AEFI cases.  

 

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1:

1. Reviewed existing policy/strategic documents and developed a common PICs immunization policy/strategy.  

Deliverables:

1. Conduct desk review of existing policy/strategic documents in countries and areas in PICs including global and regional strategic documents and lessons learnt and experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Plan, prepare and develop a common PICs immunization policy/strategy document that can be adopted by countries and areas in PICs.  

Output 2:

1. Strengthened routine immunization system toward reaching the unreached and increasing vaccination coverage for all the vaccines in the system.

Deliverables:

1. Conduct desk review of the country’s health sector and immunization strategic document in PICs including the regional framework for reaching the unreached and other relevant documents.
2. Conduct national and sub-national level data analysis in countries and areas in PICs.
3. Develop an action plan with identified activities needed to implement as common for all countries and areas in PICs and for identified individual countries.

Output 3:

1. Provided additional support needed for the office; and prepared and submitted the mission report

Deliverables:

1. Provided additional support needed by the DPS office as needed.
2. Prepare mission report and submit it to WHO DPS office (by end of mission).

 

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

A consultant will be based in Suva, Fiji work under the overall guidance of the Technical Officer-EPI. She/he will be working and in collaboration with the NIP and MOH of countries and areas in PICs for planning, preparing, implementing, and monitoring of above-mentioned activities including visits to countries and areas.

 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential: Postgraduate degree in public health from a recognized university or its equivalent

Desirable: Training in EPI

 

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least 10 years of relevant experience and/or experiences in the field of immunization programmes at the country level is essential.

Desirable: Working experiences in WHO or UNICEF country office

 

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Sound knowledge in policy and strategy development; and in the planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring of various activities in vaccine-preventable disease and immunization programme. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. 

 

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English. 

 

COMPETENCIES

1. Producing results.
2. Fostering integration and teamwork.
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way
4. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Duration of contract:

4 months starting 1 June 2022

Duty station:     

Suva, Fiji

Travel:

Visits to countries and areas in PICs.

 

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 10 May 2022. 

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

Please use Tender Notice No. 173287 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.