TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR WHO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT OF STRENGTHENING IMMUNIZATION AND SURVEILLANCE
Job Title: National Consultant in Support of Immunization and Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD)
Grade: NO- B
Duration of contract: 6 months (renewable based on needs and results)
Main location: Various duty stations (All 26 Provinces and 519 Health Zones of the country, as needed)
Organization: WHO Country Office, DRC
1. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
Vaccination is one of the most expensive and effective public health interventions of all time. It helps prevent 3.5 to 5 million deaths worldwide each year. It is also a key element of primary health care and a major indicator of the functioning of a health system. It is also one of the best investments in health and the basis of global health security. The Covid-19 pandemic, associated disruptions and vaccination efforts have strained health systems in 2020 and 2021, leading to a reduction in children vaccinated in several countries, putting children at risk if left unchecked. risks of resurgence of epidemics in the years to come.
In the DRC, vaccination is one of the government’s health priorities. Since 2019, the government of the Republic and partners have signed the Kinshasa Declaration, in favor of strengthening the Routine EPI and the eradication of polio, under the patronage of the President of the Republic. The plan to strengthen routine vaccination or Mashako plan bringing together all stakeholders has been launched. Initially targeting the following 9 provinces, it now covers all 26 provinces and 519 health zones in the country. Its implementation has been marked by notable improvements, particularly in terms of increased State resources allocated to the purchase of vaccines, the acquisition of cold chain equipment and the improvement of national performance. The latest vaccination coverage survey carried out in 2022 by the School of Public Health shows that 61% of children received the third dose of Pentavalent vaccination. Despite this progress, it remains below the 90% objective recommended at the global level as part of the 2030 Vaccination Agenda. Like other countries, it is estimated that from 2.7 to 3 million, the number of Congolese children have not received all their vaccines during the covid-19 pandemic, with a risk of resurgence of polio and measles epidemics in particular. Additional efforts are needed to further improve national performance, reduce the risks of outbreaks and deaths.
This is why the WHO country office which supports the Ministry of Health is recruiting consultant epidemiologists who are experts in the fields of vaccination and the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases to support the provincial and health zone teams in implementation of this plan where needs are identified.
DESCRIPTION OF TASKS
Under the general supervision of the WHO Representative in the DRC and the coordination of the IVD/Polio Program Manager, the Consultant in support of the Provincial Health Division will be responsible for supporting the six areas of activities listed below: after:
1. Technical support for the implementation of the routine vaccination recovery plan in the DRC,
2. Strengthening the routine EPI including data quality and vaccine logistics, especially in health zones at high risk for the recovery of unvaccinated or insufficiently vaccinated children;
3. Support for the introduction of new vaccines in the EPI, including vaccination against covid-19;
4. Strengthening surveillance of diseases preventable by vaccination with particular emphasis on that of AFP, measles/rubella, Yellow Fever and Neonatal Tetanus;
5. Support for the implementation of quality supplementary vaccination activities (AVS), both preventive and response.
6. The development of innovative strategies to increase vaccination coverage adapted to the context of the province or health zone of deployment (FAE, OVM, Vaccination of refugees and displaced populations, etc.) Specifically, the technical support of the Consultant to
the Provincial Health Division (DPS) will consist of:
1. Providing technical support for strengthening the routine EPI at all stages:
• Coordination and planning of systematic vaccination activities (regular organization of meetings of different coordination committees,
• Strengthening the capacities of DPS executives, ZS and providers of vaccination activities
• Monitoring the implementation of vaccination strategies (fixed, advanced and mobile) and in areas housing special populations through support for program monitoring (including support for monitoring meetings),
• Monitoring of logistics: monitoring of supplies and management of vaccines, monthly inventories, weekly transmission of SMT,
• Monitoring of quality and management of coverage data (including the stages of data validation and then their use) and vaccines, including databases following the scaling of DHIS2, support for reporting vaccination data • Participation in evaluations
and epidemiological surveys and various studies aimed at generating evidence to guide program management;
2. Provide technical support for the deployment of COVID-19 vaccination and other new vaccines in the province of assignment through grassroots micro-planning, provider training, service delivery including surveillance of AEFIs as well as strengthening the coordination mechanism at the provincial level and in health zones.
3. Provide technical and logistical support for strengthening surveillance of AFP, measles and other EPI target diseases at all stages (planning, implementation of site visits and active case finding, monitoring of escalation samples, training and briefing of field teams, awareness, supervision/monitoring and evaluation) with a view to improving surveillance performance and resulting in indicators that meet the required standards;
4. Support the implementation of best practices to guarantee good quality of vaccination campaigns, the implementation of evaluations of campaigns during the process and at the end of the process and the preparation of reports after each campaign – report which will include actionable recommendations to improve the routine program in those areas where the campaigns were needed;
5. Support the coordination of interventions through regular monitoring from the provincial/branches level with regular sharing of information and data with the hierarchical and central level;
6. Support the preparation of periodic immunization, surveillance and monitoring campaign preparation reports;
7. Contribute to the development of monthly reports for the branch and province;
8. Contribute to monitoring the implementation of innovative strategies to accelerate vaccination coverage (periodic intensification of additional vaccinations IPVS, OVM, FAE, integration of Covid-19 into routine vaccination, etc.) 9. Write a
report final at the end of the mission;
10. Carry out all other tasks assigned by WHO;
Required Profiles
• University degree in medicine, epidemiology, a degree in Public Health or a similar field;
• Have at least 2 years of relevant experience in the field of vaccination and the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation);
• Be of Congolese nationality (DRC) or resident in the DRC with legal authorization to work on Congolese territory;
Desirable profiles
• Have followed specific training in vaccinology (MLM, EPIVAC, etc.)
• Have training or skills in epidemiological surveillance (FELTP, Stop Team, etc.)
• Skills in field epidemiology, improving data quality and strengthening the SNIS;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Good command of IT tools and software, in particular Word, Excel, Power Point, EPI Info; SNIS databases
• Knowledge of the WHO, the UN system or NGOs at the global and national level would be an asset;
• Having previously worked for the WHO, in the United Nations System or in another international agency would be an asset.
Skills
• Communicate credibly and effectively;
• Promote integration and teamwork;
• Produce results;
• Respect and promote individual and cultural differences;
• Advance in a changing environment;
Language knowledge required
• In-depth knowledge of French and a functional knowledge of English
• Working knowledge of one of the four national languages;
OMS offices are a non-smoking area
Additional Information (For HR use only):
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce . Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
