Description of assignment title: Immunization Logistics Officer
Assignment country: Angola
Expected start date: 11/01/2024
Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months
(with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Luanda
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.
UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children’s rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.
UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress.
UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a “first call for children” and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families.
UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children – victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation, and those with disabilities.
UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care.
UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority.
UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities.
UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
Context
Angola’s immunization program is grappling with significant challenges, including low coverage rates and a high number of zero-dose children—those who have not received the Pentavalent 1 vaccine. According to the 2023 WHO and UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC), Angola is among the top 20 countries with the highest number of zero-dose children, with Pentavalent 1 coverage consistently below 80% over the past decade. This persistent issue reflects substantial weaknesses in the health system’s capacity to deliver vaccines effectively, leaving many children at risk of preventable diseases.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges by disrupting health services and diverting resources, leading to a further decline in immunization coverage. Angola is currently facing a widespread measles outbreak affecting 38 municipalities across 13 provinces, as well as an outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived poliomyelitis (cVDPV), highlighting the critical consequences of inadequate vaccination coverage. These outbreaks underscore the urgent need for strengthened immunization efforts and better infrastructure.
The immunization logistics system is under considerable strain due to logistical difficulties in vaccine distribution, especially in remote and underserved areas. There is an urgent need to improve the overall logistics of the immunization program, including enhancing vaccine distribution efficiency and addressing gaps in logistical planning and execution.
To address these challenges, the recruitment of a United Nations Volunteer (UNV) Immunization Logistics Officer is crucial. The officer working under the supervision and guidance of the Immunization Specialist will play a key role in optimizing the logistics of the immunization program, including improving vaccine distribution and supporting the implementation of effective logistical strategies. By strengthening these areas, the UNV Immunization Logistics Officer will help increase vaccination coverage, and support Angola in achieving its immunization goals.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision and support from Immunization Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Immunization Logistics Officer will:
- Assist in the preparation of annual immunization forecasts by analyzing historical data, assessing future needs, and coordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure accurate and realistic projections.
- Support the development and implementation of detailed logistics plans for immunization campaigns, including the allocation of resources, transportation routes, and delivery schedules.
- Regularly assess the performance of the immunization logistics system, identifying gaps and recommending improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Develop and implement contingency plans to address potential disruptions in vaccine supply or logistics infrastructure during emergencies or outbreaks.
- Work closely with national, regional, and local health authorities, as well as other stakeholders, to ensure efficient logistics planning and execution of immunization activities.
- Support EPI manager to oversee the procurement, storage, and distribution of vaccines and related supplies to ensure timely and adequate availability at all levels of the health system.
- Support EPI manager to maintain accurate records of vaccine stock levels, usage, and wastage, and prepare regular inventory reports for decision-making and planning.
- Actively participate in and provide technical support to the national logistics working group, contributing to discussions, strategy development, and implementation of best practices.
- Conduct training sessions for health workers on vaccine handling, logistics management, and best practices to build local capacity.
- Monitor and track vaccine shipments, ensuring close follow-up with the Ministry of Health (MOH) for timely customs clearance and the completion of the electronic Vaccine Arrival Report (e-VAR). eYFze65 BVUcJh
- Ensure the accurate collection, analysis, and reporting of logistics data to inform decision-making and support the monitoring of immunization program performance.
- Ensure that all logistics activities comply with national and international standards, regulations, and guidelines, and prepare regular reports for submission to relevant authorities.
- Perform any other duties as may be required from time to time
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in Public health, Immunization, epidemiology, global/international health, logistics/vaccine management other relevant programmes at the national or international level.
- Knowledge of national and international systems for immunization logistics/vaccine management/supply management systems including IOTA/ReDIV, SMT etc
- Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels.
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
- Have affinity with or interest in children’s rights and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
Area(s) of expertise
Health, Logistics and Inventory, Information technology
Driving license
Languages
Portuguese, Level: Mother tongue, Required
English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Public health, Immunization, epidemiology, global/international health, logistics/vaccine management, or related field.
Competencies and values
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
- Live the UNICEF Core Values of: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability
- Competencies: Builds and maintains partnerships, Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, Drive to achieve results for impact, Innovates and embraces changes, Manages ambiguity and complexity, Thinks and acts strategically, Works collaboratively with others.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers 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 recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments 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 appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers 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 contracts.
More Information
- Job City Angola
