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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, good health
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
Towards achieving high immunization coverage while introducing new vaccines through equity-focused vaccination program, the need for effective immunization supply chain remains vital. Efficient supply chains equipped with reliable cold chain equipment are important in helping countries primarily to reaching children with potent lifesaving vaccines to protect them against vaccine preventable diseases and subsequently increase immunization coverage.
As countries improve their immunization coverage and expand the scope of their EPI programmes through initiatives such as introduction of new vaccines and Effective Vaccine Management, the need to more reliable and bigger size cold chain equipment becomes important.
In Malawi, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has the mandate to manage the supply chain for vaccines and other inputs for the immunization programme. The country currently has one National Vaccine Store in Lilongwe and two Regional Vaccine Stores in Mzuzu and Blantyre. Currently the Central Region is utilizing part of the National Vaccine Store to store its vaccines. These vaccine Store have significant capacity limitations, especially as new, bulkier vaccines are introduced into the Malawi immunization schedule.
In this context, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) is providing financial support to Malawi via UNICEF under the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) grant to, amongst other aspects, improve cold storage capacity. Procuring and installing a Walk in Cold Rooms (WICR) and Walk in Freezer Rooms (WIFR) to be installed in four new Vaccine Stores is one component of that support. The construction of the building infrastructure for four vaccine stores will be contracted by the Ministry of Health and Population to a local construction company. One vaccine store will be constructed in Lilongwe district to carter for Central East and Central West Zones; The second vaccine store will be constructed in Zomba for South East Zone and Zomba district; the third one will be constructed in Mzimba district for Mzimba district and the last one will be in Mangochi district. The construction company will be supervised by an independent Engineering Company/QA Company, also be contracted by the Ministry of Health and responsible for project management, quality assurance and overall coordination.
How can you make a difference?
Under the general guidance of the UNICEF Malawi Supply and Procurement Manager, Cold Chain Specialist and Chief of Health in collaboration with UNICEF Supply Division and ESAR Cold Chain Technical Unit, the consultant will:
Phase 1: Equipment designing and specifications and site preparation (pre-procurement): (60 days between 01 Nov 2019 to 31 Jan 2020)
- Assess and follow up with stakeholders to ensure that site has been identified, properly selected.
- Provide inputs to the design company for building infrastructure on the best design that will ensure adequate space for the next 10 years or more in line with the rising population.
- In consultation with all stakeholders, identify the optimal service requirement for the installation of large size cold and freezer rooms and prepare a generic TOR for provision of services such as temperature mapping and installation services.
- Engage with all stakeholders to draft technical specifications and requirements specific to the cold rooms to ensure completeness and appropriateness and provide these as inputs to the QA company for the construction project.
- Provide technical inputs to the QA company in charge of designing the vaccine stores to house the cold and freezer rooms. This will involve engagement with the QA company to have adequate plans for floor layout, building envelope thermal insulation, electricity supply, backup generator supply, electrical protection, lighting and ventilation required for the cold and freezer rooms.
- Review the final documents produced by the QA Company to verify accurateness and completeness and provide supplementing information when required.
- Advise MOH and UNICEF MCO on technical matters relating to the implementation of the installation of the large size cold and freezer rooms, clarify and improve specifications in case inadequacies are observed, detect possible gaps and propose substitute or alternative approaches as necessary.
- Support technical aspects of the procurement process, including participation in the evaluation and award, if required by UNICEF SD.
- Support the MCO with inputs if needed, as they conduct the off-shore procurement of the cold and freezer rooms.
- Develop/ update the SOPs/ guidelines on preventive maintenance of cold rooms to maximize the efficiency.
Phase 2: Supervision of installations, testing and commissioning (post-procurement): (60 days between 01 April to 30 July 2020)
- Assess and follow with stakeholders to ensure that site is ready, before installation of the cold and freezer rooms (based on the protocol:need to verifier la ref: E01/CR-FR01-VP2.4) and propose an update of this protocol.
- After procurement has been completed and equipment is received in country, support the UNICEF MCO in the supervision of the cold and freezer room installation and ensure compliance with specifications and standards.
- Periodically monitor risks in relation to project management and report on any actions taken.
- Prepare and issue weekly and/or monthly reports and full report upon completion.
- Provide support in improving and conducting pre-commissioning tests according to WHO / PQS protocols.
- Review and strengthen the implementation of the existing SOPs for management of large size cold and freezer rooms.
- Provide user and Preventive Maintenance Training. (this training could be the responsibility of the service provider, and the consultant role should be supportive).
- Perform any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Advanced university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas is preferred: HVAC / Refrigeration / Electrical / Engineering or related to vaccine cold chain supply and logistics operations in UNICEF program areas.
- First university degree combined with relevant professional work experience and understanding of relevant functions may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.
Technical skills and knowledge
Product knowledge on cold chain equipment, new cold chain technologies and understanding of the principles of vaccine management, knowledge and experience working with regulatory bodies such as WHO/PQS, data management analysis and reporting are essential. Knowledge of procurement processes and good distribution practice will be an asset.
Work experience
Minimum Eight years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in managing Cold chain equipment, vaccine management and supply management. Work experience in managing large-scale projects, working with governments, working in resource-limited settings, monitoring and evaluating supply chains, and risk management and mitigation will be an asset
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
View our competency framework at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Remarks:
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
191007 TOR International Cold Chain Engineer Consultant PO_FS_CLEAN.docx
More Information
- Job City Lilongwe
