CONSULTANT – MEASLES & RUBELLA SUPPLEMENTARY IMMUNIZATION ACTIVITY (MR SIA)

BACKGROUND

The Solomon Islands is a double chain archipelago of more than 900 islands with a landmass of 28,400km2 and over 1.3 million km2 of Territorial Ocean. The country is considered as a fragile and least developing country (UN LDC status), with total population of 599,419[1] and annual birth cohort to be around 19,000 infants. There are nine provinces plus one city council in the country. With the vast expanse of territories inhibited by relatively small and widely dispersed populations, Solomon Islands shows unique characteristics in terms of supply chain management challenges.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) through its Reproductive and Child Health Division (RCH) are adopting the strategic objectives of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) which is to ensure that the benefits of immunization are equitably extended to all people. Achieving this objective will mean that every eligible individual is immunized with all appropriate vaccines – irrespective of age, gender, disability, educational level, socioeconomic level, work condition, geographic location or ethnicity. GVAP challenges countries not only to reach at least 90% national vaccination coverage and at least 80% vaccination coverage with all antigens in every district but also to sustain these gains over the long term. Some disease control goals require even higher levels of vaccination coverage, such as Measles and Rubella. Achieving interruption of endemic measles transmission requires at least 95% vaccine coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) in every district.

The MHMS has successfully acquired GAVI support for an MR Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) and are preparing for the rollout of this SIA. SIAs, also referred to as mass-immunization campaigns, are an effective strategy for delivering vaccination to children otherwise missed by routine services (e.g. the hard-to-reach and underserved groups and communities) or to older susceptible individuals who are not among the age groups targeted by the routine Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) services. As such, SIAs are a proven strategy for increasing vaccination equity. SIAs also have the effect of rapidly increasing population immunity by reducing the number of susceptible individuals in the population, which can result in protective “herd” immunity. SIAs provide opportunities for strengthening vaccination services through building national capacity, reducing inequity of service delivery, advocating for RI, improving immunization practices and providing further public health benefits through integration of other public health interventions with the SIA. Strengthening RI programmes is in turn critical for sustaining gains made through the SIA.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The EPI consultant will provide technical support in preparing documents and plans for the scheduled MR SIA and support coordination of MR SIA activities as the EPI team roll-out the SIA. The consultant will also support planning and roll out of the national Training of Trainers (TOT) package.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The consultant will be expected to deliver in 3 key areas:

1. MR SIA Planning and Preparation:

    

1. Through consultation with MHMS and the EPI team, provide technical assistance for finalizing the draft documents related to micro-planning and logistics

• Reviewing estimated target populations
• Estimating requirements and costs for vaccines and supplies
• Reviewing cold-chain capacity, requirements and costs for transporting vaccines
• Reviewing estimates for personnel requirements and costs, liaising with Provincial counterparts for budgets and development of micro-plans

   

1. To facilitate consultations with the established multi-sectorial working group and all the relevant stakeholders to agree on the common health / immunization systems bottlenecks and agree on the priority areas of health / immunization systems strengthening

• Ensure effective communication and planning
• Enable new solutions/strategies for coordinating outreach and supporting Provincial EPI teams
• Identify any training requirements and system gaps

1. Review the drafted M&E framework for MR SIAs campaign for external monitoring

1. Implementation of Measles Rubella (MR) SIA

    

1. Develop overall macro-planning materials, and training materials to ensure high-quality implementation during the operational phase of the campaign.
2. Develop and facilitate a 3—4 day workshop with key persons from national and sub national level to build on the lessons learned from previous campaigns.
3. Coordinate and supervise the preparations for the 2019 nationwide mass vaccination campaign (SIA)

   Coordinate use of the WHO SIA readiness assessment tool, to identify and mobilize personnel and resources to fill gaps in preparation at the national and subnational level, with emphasis on:

• Status of logistics deployment, including vaccines, immunization ancillaries, IEC, etc
• Status of identifying high-risk areas and all eligible children
• Human resource deployment plan (vaccinators, monitors, community organizers)
• Advocacy, communication, coordination with stakeholders and partners

1. Ensure that campaign preparations activities integrate components that strengthen structures for routine immunization, and documenting these activities.
2. Coordinate and supervise activities to monitor the implementation according to standardize procedures, including rapid coverage assessments in high-risk communities.
3. Ensure a smooth transition of responsibility to staff and partners if the implementation phase of the campaign continues beyond your period of availability.

    

   1. Findings beyond Measles Rubella (MR) SIA and brief evaluation

1. Report findings of the success of the MR SIA and recommendations in areas for improvement to Ministry of Health and WHO.
2. Coordinate and supervise activities to monitor the implementation according to standardize procedures, including rapid coverage assessments in high-risk communities.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Assessment of requirements of MHMS EPI Programme, through desk review of existing documents and plans, and stakeholder consultations. Pro-active production of resulting work.

Draft the MR SIA preparations, working with the MHMS and Other partners. This should include all the needed implementation plan and operational budget organizing for the MR SIA in 2019.

Collate all the necessary supporting documents, review and incorporate feedback received from stakeholders on the implementation of the SIA, support at Provincial vaccination session, ensure high quality in vaccine outreach strategies, report back to various MHMS levels. Travel to Provinces will be required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

University degree is required in medicine, preferably with post graduate qualification in Public Health / Epidemiology, or a related subject

Desirable:

Post graduate specialization in immunization

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• At least 5 years’ experience in the main functions of the role – immunization programme experience, preferably in a developing country context. Experience in a Pacific Island setting is an advantage. Writing skills and the ability to work as part of a team is essential.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas.

Desirable:

• Experience working in MR SIA or other SIA

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• High level of competence in the Expanded Programme of Immunization field, production of professional documents and reports, word processing and ability to use the GAVI portal mechanism. Ability to work independently and as part of a team required.

LANGUAGES

Fluency in written and spoken English

COMPETENCIES

• Solid analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the work place.
• Versatility, judgment and maturity.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DUTY STATION:  Honiara, Solomon Islands
ORGANIZATION:  WHO Western Pacific Regional Office
TYPE OF CONTRACT:  Short Term Consultant
APPLICATION DEADLINE:   17 July 2019
STARTING DATE:  1 August 2019
DURATION OF CONTRACT:  92 days

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications}, Expression of Interest {cover letter} and financial offer on a monthly and daily basis in USD to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 18 July 2019 

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. (to be filled up by SUP) as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.