International Consultant - Vaccines and Logistics Management at UNICEF

Purpose of Assignment

• Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and a distinctive maculopapular rash.
• It can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in young children and immunocompromised individuals, is the leading cause of death among young children worldwide.
• On the other hand, Rubella, also known as German measles, typically causes mild illness in children and adults, however, Rubella infection during pregnancy can result in severe birth defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
• Nigeria has recently experienced an increase in Rubella cases, with the virus identified in over 30% of suspected measles cases.
• This situation presents a critical opportunity to address the high prevalence of Rubella and enhance protection against the virus.
• The introduction of the MR (Measles-Rubella) vaccine not only tackles Rubella but also improves overall campaign effectiveness by reducing the frequency of immunisation campaigns required in the future.
• By simultaneously protecting against both measles and rubella, the MR vaccine eliminates the need for separate vaccination campaigns for each disease.
• This dual protection streamlines processes and allows for consolidation of resources and efforts.
• With the current shift towards integrated campaigns, the MR vaccine provides a unique opportunity to effectively integrate with other public health campaigns to maximise resources and coverage.

Scope of Work
Under the joint supervision of UNICEF Health Manager (Immunization) and Health Specialist (iSCM), the consultant will work with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Non-Polio Supplementary Immunization Activities (NPSIA) units to ensure the vaccine and logistics management is optimized at national, state, LGA and service delivery levels for the integrated MR campaign. The focus of the assignment will include:

• Facilitate a comprehensive cold chain inventory and cold chain assessment demonstrate the readiness at national, state, LGA and Health facility levels.
• Post readiness assessment gap analysis and develop and execute the mitigation plan for CCE, vaccines and logistics for the integrated MR campaign
• Facilitate the planning, distribution and re-deployment of cold chain equipment including the passive containers before the campaign.
• Analysis of MR vaccine forecast, and vaccine need data, disaggregated up to the service delivery level and plan timely distribution of MR vaccines and logistics
• Support the NPSIA, National Logistics Working Group (NLWG) and the Zonal and State Logistics working Groups (ZLWG and SLWG), UNICEF Filed Officers on implementation of the MR vaccine and logistic working groups operation plan for MR campaign.

Work Assignments Overview
Tasks:

• Analysis of cold chain readiness assessment data, develop the distribution and re-deployment plan of the cold chain equipment and passive containers.
• Gather vaccine and device stock data and storage capacity data from national stores and develop the phased distribution plan.
• Capacity building, training of VMS, MR consultants, VSLs on microplanning and vaccine management

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Availability of readiness assessment report, distribution plan, stock report, storage capacity report, training materials, training report etc.

Tasks:

• Facilitate the distribution of phase-1 state vaccines & logistics for integrated MR campaign.
• Track the distribution of phase-1 state vaccines & logistics for integrated MR campaign from State to LGA and to service delivery levels.
• Facilitate and track distribution and redeployment of active and passive cold chain equipment to all states, LGAs and Health facilities.
• Facilitate and track distribution of waste management materials and funds to all health facilities.
• Programme visit to phase-1 states to monitor vaccine management.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Open LMIS report, distribution report, programme monitoring report.

Tasks:

• Account for the MR vaccines deployed for phase 1 through vials counts, data reviews for utilization and vial balances.
• Track and report on waste management after the phase-1 campaign as per the national plan.
• Analysis of vaccine forecast, and vaccine & logistics need data, disaggregated up to the service delivery level of the phase-2 states and develop distribution plan.
• Track vaccine stock analysis and transition from MCV to MR vaccines in phase-1 states.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Vaccine Utilization report (VUR), Vaccine Accountability Report (VAR).
• State waste disposal report.
• Vaccine & logistics distribution plan for phase2 available, Switch plan from MCV to MR is available.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree is required in Supply Chain Management, Epidemiology, Public Health, Industrial Engineering, Economics, Logistics, Business, Operations Management, Physical Sciences and any other relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience, at the national and international levels, on immunization supply chain management, cold chain management, monitoring and evaluation, logistics or operations management and at least 3 years of experience on immunization/public health programs.
• Familiarity with vaccines and supplies stock management practices, cold chain systems, effective vaccine management, inventory policies, logistics, outsourcing, segmentation strategies, integration of health products, and other system design strategies.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas. Experience conducting similar study in low and middle-income countries is an advantage.
• Good writing and communication skills.
• Computer skills, including strong quantitative analysis and reporting tools.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural, inclusive and diverse environment.
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French would be considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
• UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others.

Application Closing Date
19th August, 2025.