National Vaccine Management (VM) Consultant, 165 w/days, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Health 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

On January 30, 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), and on March 11, 2020, the outbreak was described as a pandemic. On June 4, 2020, GAVI established Advance Market Commitment for COVID-19 Vaccines (Gavi Covax AMC), a new financing instrument aimed at incentivizing vaccine manufacturers to produce sufficient eventual COVID-19 vaccines to ensure access for developing countries. As eligible for GAVI COVAX AMC country, the Minister of Health and Social Protection of Population of the Republic Tajikistan (MOHSP) developed an operational deployment plan and introduced the COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

Staring from 17th of March 2021, the country has been receiving the COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX AMC and other countries. As of June 2023, approximately 98% of the adult target population has received the first and second doses and booster doses. In parallel to COVID-19 vaccination, the Republican Centre for Immunoprophylaxis (RCIP) ensures continuation of routine vaccination of children through implementation of the National Immunization Program. This process involves coordination, planning and budgeting; vaccine, cold chain and logistics management; surveillance and reporting; and capacity building of health workers and Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) including risk communication and media management. UNICEF is leading the SBC, vaccines and logistics management, and cold chain systems maintenance as well as technical advice/assistance on micro-planning and programme management.

The Vaccine Management (VM) consultant will support UNICEF Country office and the Ministry of Health (MoH) on vaccines and related immunization logistical services planning and delivery to effectively support the implementation of national immunization program.

How can you make a difference? 

The Vaccine Management Consultant has a pivotal role in supporting the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis (RCIP) in comprehensive vaccine management encompassing planning, utilization, stock oversight, disposal, monitoring, and tracking of routine immunization vaccines. Reporting directly to the Health Officer, the Consultant operates within the overarching guidance of the Health & Nutrition Chief Section. Stationed at RCIP, the Consultant’s primary responsibility is to provide technical support to the RCIP staff involved in the management and monitoring of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This entails deploying specialized expertise to optimize processes, enhance accountability, and ensure the efficient execution of vaccine-related activities. By bridging strategic planning and hands-on support, the Consultant contributes significantly to the operation of vaccine initiatives, aligning with National Immunization Programme and National Health Strategy until 2030 goals.

The Vaccine Management (VM) consultant will support UNICEF Country office and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population of the Republic Tajikistan (MoHSP) on vaccines and related immunization logistical services planning and delivery to effectively support implementation of the operational deployment plan for COVID-19 vaccination and national immunization program.

In the role of Consultant for Vaccine Management, operating under the supervision of the Health Officer and guided by the Health & Nutrition Chief Section, the incumbent is entrusted with a spectrum of responsibilities aimed at strengthening the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) at the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis (RCIP).

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

Duration: 165 working days (March 2025 – February 2026) 

Supervisor: Health Officer, UNICEF Tajikistan

Tasks/Milestone: (in line with the scope elaborated in section-III)

Deliverables/Outputs:

Anticipated Timeline

% of payment

Deliverable 1: Strengthened Vaccine Stock Management and Reporting

• Identify and document at least five key issues in vaccine management per month and ensure corrective actions are implemented, with progress tracked in monthly reports.
• Update stock management data for all vaccine storage facilities every month, on forecasted and actual quantities, stock-on-hand, consumption rates, expiry dates, and wastage.
• Compile and validate vaccine forecast and consumption data and submit findings in the vaccine management report.
• Develop and submit monthly vaccine accountability reports at national and subnational levels, ensuring the coverage of stock receipts, distribution, utilization, and wastage rates.
• Submit a detailed monthly report to UNICEF, ensuring at least 90% of identified recommendations are followed up on in the subsequent month.

March – April 2025

20% (30 days)

Deliverable 2: Capacity Building and Technical Assistance for Vaccine Logistics

• Organize at least four capacity development events per year, each covering key topics in vaccine logistics and management (training topics TBD).
• Develop and distribute on-the-job training plans for at least 90% of key partners, with post-training evaluations showing a minimum 70% improvement in knowledge and skills.
• Facilitate conducting of at least four meetings of the National Working Group on Vaccine Logistics, with minutes of the meetings.
• Provide mentorship to relevant RCIP specialists on implementing THRIVE 360 standards, with at least 80% demonstrating improved competency in data collection, verification, transmission, and

interpretation.

• Update and finalize SOPs for vaccine management and cold chain equipment, ensuring that at least 90% of trained specialists can correctly apply them in their daily work.

May – July 2025

20% (45 days)

Deliverable 3: Enhanced Cold Chain Management and Infrastructure Support

• Conduct at least 11 technical support visits per year to health facilities, providing guidance on cold chain maintenance and corrective actions for the identified issues.
• Complete a quarterly infrastructure inventory check covering at least 80% of health facilities, cold chain equipment functionality, ventilation, power supply, monitoring devices, and temperature control systems.
• Carry out at least 44 days of field visits annually to assess vaccine management preparedness, with corrective action plans developed and implemented.

August –September 2025

20% (30 days)

Deliverable 4: Support for New and Ongoing Immunization Campaigns

• Support the planning and rollout of at least one new HPV vaccination campaign annually, ensuring 100% of targeted health facilities receive vaccines and training on proper administration.

October – November 2025

20% (30 days)

Deliverable 5: Strengthened Accountability and Oversight in Vaccine Distribution

• Conduct monthly monitoring of vaccine distribution, stock levels, and utilization trends, ensuring 100% of reports are submitted on time and include actionable insights.
• Identify and address at least 90% of reported vaccine wastage issues each quarter, implementing corrective measures in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Develop and implement at least two new technical guidelines or tools per year to enhance transparency and efficiency in vaccine supply chain management.

December 2025 – January 2026

20% (30 days)

TOTAL

165 w/days (15 days per month)

100%

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

• Education: A university degree in public health, supply chain management, medicine, procurement, logistics, or other relevant field.
• Work experience: Minimum 5 years of experience with at least 3 years in immunization, vaccine logistics, and public health, including monitoring the National Immunization Program and providing tailored training for health workers. Previous working experience with UNICEF is considered as a strong advantage.
• Advanced knowledge of vaccine storage requirements, cold chain infrastructure, inventory policies, allocation, ordering, and distribution strategies. Experience in analyzing and interpreting vaccine stock data (receipts, distribution, utilization, wastage rates) and proficiency in digital tools such as ViVa, 1C warehouse, and other LMIS solutions.
• Expertise: Ability to coordinate with the Republican Center of Immunoprophylaxis (RCIP) and other stakeholders to ensure effective vaccine distribution and management. Strong skills in developing vaccine distribution plans, optimizing cold chain equipment use, and ensuring efficient immunization supply chains. Expertise in maintaining vaccine cold chain integrity, ensuring proper storage, and enforcing national immunization guidelines.
• Languages: Excellent written and verbal communication in Tajik, and Russian. Knowledge of English is an asset

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• Cover letter/application/diploma
• A technical proposal with proposed approach to managing the consultancy deliverables, showing understanding of tasks.
• Financial proposal specifying consultancy fee, per day of work including local travels and DSA for 44 days in TJS (travels are planned across the country, mainly to district and facility levels). Please use Annex 3 at the following link
• Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 19 March 2025 on UNICEF website.

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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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