National Consultancy for Vaccine, Logistics and Cold Chain Management , Harare, Zimbabwe, Open to Zimbabwe Nationals Only

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UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfillment of children’s rights.

Supporting the Government’s vision of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society, the country programme is aimed at contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development that provides all children, including adolescents, with opportunities to fulfil their potential, lead a healthy life, access quality learning and protection and meaningfully participate in society.

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How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for a national individual consultant to for supporting the vaccination programme in the planning, use, stock management, capacity building, immunization supply chain management, disposal (if necessary) and tracking of all vaccines and cold chain equipment used in Routine Immunization (RI) and Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA).

BACKGROUND

The Vaccine, Logistics and Cold Chain Management Consultant is responsible for supportig the vaccination programme in the planning, use, stock management, capacity building, immunization supply chain management, disposal (if necessary) and tracking of all vaccines and cold chain equipment used in Routine Immunization (RI) and Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA). The consultant will provide support to the national immunization programme at MoHCC headquarters and will also be deployed to the field to ensure quality at the sub-national level. The consultant will report to the EPI Manager MOHCC and the Health Specialist Immunization and Public Health Emergencies (UNICEF).

Objectives of the assignment

• To provide technical support for strengthening vaccine logistics and cold chain systems at all levels in Zimbabwe.
• To support the MoHCC/EPI in implementing best practices in vaccine forecasting, procurement, storage, transportation, and temperature monitoring.
• To enhance national and sub-national capacity for cold chain management through training and system development.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The consultant will perform the following tasks in close collaboration with MoHCC and partners:

3.1. Assessment and Strategic Support

• Assess the current EPI supply chain and cold chain infrastructure, including cold room capacity at national and provincial levels.
• Support review and implementation of Zimbabwe’s Cold Chain Expansion Plan (as per CCEOP and Gavi guidance).
• Identify gaps in equipment functionality, storage capacity, and maintenance systems.

3.2. Cold Chain Equipment (CCE) Optimization

• Support the rollout and maintenance planning of new cold chain equipment procured through CCEOP, Gavi, and other mechanisms.
• Provide technical oversight for installation, commissioning, and training of technicians and health facility staff.
• Assist in setting up preventive maintenance schedules and service contracts with local providers.

3.3. Vaccine Logistics Management

• Provide guidance on the effective implementation of vaccine forecasting, quantification, and stock management tools.
• Strengthen last-mile delivery systems, including reverse logistics and tracking of vaccine returns and wastage.
• Support the use and analysis of stock data using Zimbabwe’s electronic LMIS (eLMIS).

3.4. Temperature Monitoring and Remote Sensing

• Facilitate the integration and effective use of remote temperature monitoring devices (RTMDs) in national and sub-national stores.
• Review data from temperature loggers and ensure corrective actions for temperature excursions are documented and implemented.
• Promote best practices in cold chain monitoring using WHO-recommended tools such as vaccine vial monitors (VVMs) and Fridge Tags.

3.5. Capacity Building and Support Supervision

• Develop training materials and job aids tailored for Zimbabwean cold chain and logistics personnel.
• Conduct training-of-trainers (ToTs) and on-the-job mentorship at national, provincial, and district levels.
• Participate in and support supportive supervision visits with MoHCC and partners.

The consultant will be based in Harare with frequent travel to provinces and districts as required under the Gavi Full Portfolio Funding (FPP) implementation plan.

Major tasks and deliverables:

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Indicative Timeline/Days (payments)

Assessment and Planning

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing vaccine supply chain and cold chain system.
• Identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements.
• Assist in developing or updating national cold chain and logistics management plans.
• Inception report with detailed work plan (within 2 weeks of start).

10 days (10%)

Cold Chain Equipment Management

• Support the planning, procurement, and deployment of cold chain equipment (CCE).
• Ensure compliance with WHO PQS standards for all equipment.
• Support the installation, commissioning, and preventive maintenance of CCE.
• Cold chain and logistics assessment report with actionable recommendations.

25 days (25%)

Vaccine Logistics

• Develop and support implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for vaccine forecasting, stock management, and distribution.
• Monitor vaccine stocks and wastage rates at various levels.
• Establish and implement effective vaccine distribution mechanisms.
• Updated national cold chain maintenance and distribution SOPs.
• Progress reports summarizing activities, findings, and recommendations.

25 days (25%)

Temperature Monitoring and Data Systems

• Guide the use of electronic temperature monitoring devices.
• Strengthen data collection and analysis using tools such as Vaccine Vial Monitors (VVMs), EVM, and mSupply/Logistimo/OpenLMIS.
• Strengthen use of electronic temperature monitoring devices (e.g., Fridge-tags, RTMDs) across the cold chain.
• Analyze temperature excursion data and ensure timely corrective actions and documentation.
• Progress reports summarizing activities, findings, and recommendations.

20 days (20%)

Capacity Building

• Develop and deliver tailored training (including job aids) for cold chain technicians, health workers, and logistics personnel.
• Support implementation of Gavi-funded supportive supervision tools and monitoring frameworks.
• Progress reports summarizing activities, findings, and recommendations.

19 days (10%)

• Production of Final Report
• Final consultancy report with summary of achievements, challenges, and sustainability roadmap.

5 days (10%)

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• Advanced university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Pharmacy, Supply Chain Management, or related to supply and logistics operations in UNICEF program areas. 3 years working experience.
• First university pharmacy degree combined with relevant professional work experience and understanding of relevant functions may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree combined with at least five years of experience in immunization and supply chain.

Experience:

• Work experience in managing large-scale projects, working with governments, working in resource-limited settings, monitoring and evaluating supply chains, and risk management, mitigation will be an asset.
• chain technologies and understanding of the principles of vaccine management, knowledge and experience with data collection, data management analysis and reporting are essential.
• Knowledge of procurement processes and good distribution practice will be beneficial.

Language requirements:

• Written and spoken fluency in English required and knowledge of main local languages (Shona and Ndebele) is an added advantage.

The detailed consultancy terms of reference is downloadable via this link ToR Template Vaccine Management Consultant .pdf

If interested and available to undertake the individual consultancy, please submit your application online and attach the required documents including the technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal incorporating an approximate number of travel days for field (local) travel.

Technical proposal: The Technical Proposal should articulate an understanding of the TOR and include the proposed Tasks/Milestones, Deliverables/Outputs, Timeline and level of effort by deliverable. The similar table provided in the TOR is indicative. Applicants may use the indicative table as a guide or deviate as per the proposed approach. The proposal should also cost-effectively propose the local travel proposed by the applicant to undertake the assignment.

Financial proposal: The Financial Proposal should include the costs (providing a daily rate as justification) for each task, including consultant fee, proposed travel costs and perdiem, communications costs and any other proposed cost.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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