Health Specialist - Cold Chain
Job Code-UNHLT-02
Duty Station: New Delhi
Closing Date: 24th June 2009
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Analyses and recommends policies, systems of management, risk allocation and coordination systems related to immunization logistics and cold chain. Assist MOHFW-GOI and state government in implementation of cold chain and vaccine management system in India and Routine Immunization including advocacy, micro-planning and management support. Assist in monitoring and evaluation related to SIAs and Routine Immunization activities.
2. Provide consultation and assistance to UNICEF field offices and state governments on issues related to vaccine and logistics management, cold chain and immunization campaigns including measles. Provide technical inputs for capacity building in immunization at national and state level. Participate in ongoing capacity building of cold chain managers, cold chain handlers and refrigerator mechanics.
3. Coordinate programmatic activities aimed at estimating vaccine, cold chain and other supply requirement and take responsibility, together with the Cold Chain staff and consultants of logistics planning or procurement and follow up.
4. Fosters partnerships for immunization logistics and cold chain with government, other agencies, professional bodies, technical institutions and NGO networks. Assists in the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management and evaluation. Develop and implement strategy and activities at national level, and facilitate and coordinate them at sub national level, to strengthen capacity for evidence based programming of UNICEF in immunization logistics and other health initiatives in the context of health sector reform.
5. Undertakes field visits to monitor immunization programmes (including cash and supply assistance) aiming at increased and more equitable coverage of strategic interventions, as well as conducting periodic reviews with government counterparts and other partners. Identify the needs and provide technical support and backstopping for interventions related to RI, introduction of new vaccines, accelerated disease control and other aspects of quality immunization service delivery in the UNICEF supported integrated districts.
6. Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing on cold chain and vaccine logistics. Provides advice and assistance to government officials and other UN agencies and partners such as the World Bank, GAVI, and bilateral governments in the planning and management of immunization interventions. Contributes to the preparation of the immunization Situation Analysis, led by SPME, by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information.
7. Participate in the development and monitoring of annual work plans, budgets, reports and performance reviews and requirements in immunization. Assist in the creation of programmatic indicators and data for decision making at the high risk districts/blocks. Take responsibility of coordination and interaction with POs/APOs at state level to analyze monitoring data. Offer technical assistance to plan and implement state/district/area-specific efforts to guide integrated immunization related programming.
8. Establish and review a systematic recording and reporting inherent in cold chain and vaccine management, forecasting, injection safety and waste disposal and document, give feedback and disseminate lessons learnt. In consultation with PO (Immunization), develop and implement a mid point review of immunization strengthening activities of UNICEF, ICO as defined in the Immunization Plus strategy.
9. Assist in the preparation of fund-raising proposals and donor reports for EPI activities following standard UNICEF guidelines.
Qualifications, Experience and Competencies required:
• Master’s degree in engineering (electrical/refrigeration) or logistics management or public health or related technical field. Familiarity with the theoretical basis and the practical applications of cold chain principles, vaccine and logistics management , as well as the planning and management of PHC services, with particular emphasis on delivery of immunization services.
• Minimum five years progressively responsible field work experience in immunization and cold chain required, including four years at national level in India or other developing countries. Previous experience in working within UNICEF or other UN agencies and in international settings, preferred. • Fluency in written and spoken English. Working knowledge of local language of the duty station an asset.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage programmes as well as to transfer knowledge and skills.
• Supervisory and managerial skills; proven ability to lead a team.
• Good conceptual and analytical abilities.
• Communication skills to advocate negotiate and promote UNICEF’s concerns related to equity, social inclusion in rural as well as in the urban poor contexts.
• Ability to network and develop alliances in support of UNICEF’s aims.
• Knowledge and use of standard office automation applications related towards processing, graphics presentations etc. as well as Management Information • Systems and databases. Knowledge and training on use of work planning tools an asset.
• High proficiency in the application of computers and electronic data management and interpretation.
• Excellent writing skills with special focus on report writing.
• Drive for result.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work harmoniously in an international and multi-cultural environment
Only candidates meeting the above requirements may send their application consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV by e-mail to devjobs@abcconsultants.net before the closing date. In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly indicate the Job Code of the post and location in the subject line of your e-mail/application.
Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged. This vacancy is open to Indian Nationals only.
UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment. Applications from qualified women are encouraged.
