Consultant - Integration of COVID-19 Vaccination into Immunization Programmes at John Snow, Incorporated (JSI) - 6 Openings

Posted on Tue 02nd May, 2023 - www.hotnigerianjobs.com --- (0 comments)

John Snow, Incorporated (JSI) are public health care and health systems consultants and researchers driven by a passion to improve health services and health outcomes for all.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant - Integration of COVID-19 Vaccination into Immunization Programmes

Location: Nigeria
Number of Consultant: 6
Level of Effort: 60 days
Time frame: May 1 - June 30
Supervision: Country Project Director (M-RITE)

Overview

  • The USAID-funded project, MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE), works in partnership with the Nigerian government to increase the capabilities of the health system, at national and subnational levels of the Health System of Ministry of health Nigeria Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).
  • The project seeks to address the barriers to reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children with life-saving vaccines and other health services. M-RITE will work closely with the Nigeria National Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and Covid Vaccination ramp up in the five focal States of Bayelsa, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, and Lagos, the Government of Nigeria, on I routine immunization and other implementing partners and will be based in Abuja, with backstop support from the Washington, DC headquarters office
  • John Snow Research Institute, Inc. (JSI), as the lead implementing partner for M-RITE,  leads immunization work and supports its country, regional and global initiatives through direct consultation, operations research, and the transfer and sharing of information and promising program approaches with those in the field.
  • Countries and regions will need timely synchronized technical assistance in setting up the existing health systems to deliver the COVID vaccination through integration. This needs to identify the principles for integration of COVID-19 vaccination into immunization programme. M-RITE will support in overview of the benefits and risks of integration of COVID-19 vaccination and design the program based on the country context.
  • The country will also require supports on how to operationalize integration of COVID-19 vaccination programme which includes assess their readiness, develop a plan, and identify short-term capacities and investment needs.
  • During the last 2 years, many children were left out due to COVID vaccination and need to be mopped up through special campaigns.  The consultant will work with the respective teams in M-RITE Country Offices and other partners.

Background
Purpose of Activity / Assignment:

  • COVID-19 is still a Public Health Emergency of International Concern since being declared as such by the WHO on 20 January 2020. COVID-19 vaccination has been implemented in nearly in 61% of the global population having received the primary series.
  • This has been the fastest and the most complex global vaccine campaign in history. Mass vaccination campaigns were used as a main delivery approach to reach the targeted populations quickly and widely. However, in many countries, this has come at a high price.
  • Health workers and resources have been diverted from providing essential health services including immunization to COVID-19 vaccination efforts. As a result, the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks is increasing. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic response has justifiably required dedicated attention and resources to support rapid scale up and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines – at times via coordination, financing, delivery, and other approaches outside of or on top of already overburdened health systems.
  • While this approach has put a strain on essential immunization and other national programmes, it has also resulted in new approaches, insights and innovations that can further benefit health systems for the long term.
  • Despite many unknowns about the future of the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccination, it is time to plan for sustainable COVID-19 vaccination as an integral part of national immunization programmes, primary health care, and other relevant health services. Many countries are already integrating COVID-19 vaccination into their regular health services and exploring new entry points for vaccination of high-risk groups.
  • There is need for support the essential for moving from mass campaigns for COVID-19 vaccination to integrating COVID-19 vaccination into immunization programmes, PHC and other relevant health services.
  • The aim is to fully explore potential areas for integration of different components of immunization programmes, PHC, and the health system.
  • Given the evolving epidemiological nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a living document and will be updated to reflect the changing context including as policies for COVID-19 vaccinations over the longer-term are formulated.

Scope of Work (Activity / Assignment)

  • Developing a multi-year plan for integration of COVID vaccination in routine immunization services in the country through initiating/building on the integration process with the stakeholders to justify the need for integration of COVID vaccination within the immunization programme and generate policy dialogue for political awareness.
  • Conduct multisectoral consultations on potential COVID-19 vaccine integration between government entities and programmes (e.g., NIP, NCDs, MCH), civil society, donors, development partners, NITAG, NLWG, ICC and other higher-level bodies.
  • Assist country team to organize series of workshop to develop multiyear framework through government and plan for integration process by different phases with all stakeholder and donors in the country and propose short-term (6-12 months) capacity/functionality required and priority investments including costing.
  • Technical support in developing key principals and implementation guidelines for execution of the plan with cascade of training from national to community level.
  • Support the country to conduct a situation analysis to assess the national and sub-national level readiness and status of countries for integration of COVID-19 vaccination into NIP/EPI services, PHC, and other relevant services. Assessment includes health workforce competencies, proportion of COVID-19 high-risk populations amongst the general population organizational culture and effective ways to develop multisectoral regulations, procedures, and governance structures that foster efficient and timely implementation, acceptability and perceptions of health workers and communities, availability of financing and human resources etc.
  • Based on data trends in the country, use findings from equity assessments and other analysis to help Nigeria prioritize and design strategies which aim to overcome immunization and access challenges encountered in these settings to reach the urban poor and peri-urban settlements, refugees and displaced persons, persons affected by conflict, remote rural and other special populations in the country with vaccines.
  • Support in understanding the beliefs, perceptions and experiences of the recipients of vaccination to inform the design, implementation and evaluation of targeted demand-related strategies and to ultimately help ensure more equitable access to quality services.
  • Support the documentation of lessons learnt, case studies and best practices as it relates to strategies and interventions designed and rolled out in these specific contexts.
  • Provide support to integrate health monitoring information systems (records, registers, electronic system covering whole data pipeline, providing performance monitoring dashboards to inform actions).
  • Support to integrate reporting systems for COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., electronic) and EPI (e.g. paper based) including vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, AEFI and AESI systems Technical assistance in strengthening vaccine storage and cold chain, distribution planning (e.g., CCE and UCC requirements, temperature monitoring, VVM / short expiry), and waste management.
  • Support in COVID-19 Post-Introduction Evaluation (cPIE) or the new vaccine's which includes desk review of relevant country documents.
  • Develop 5 abstract and two full manuscript for publication in high impact journal
  • Perform any other relevant tasks that the immunization coverage and equity team require with respect to data monitoring and reporting 

Terms of Reference / Deliverables
In close collaboration and working with the Country Director the incumbent’s responsibilities are as follows:
Tasks / Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs  - Timeline:

  • Desk review and coordination with all teams: Inception report of the overall task and action plans - 10 days
  • Assist country team to data analysis draft plan for multiyear framework through government and plan for integration process by different phases with all stakeholder and donors in the country and propose way forward for integration: Draft multi-year, multi country framework - 40 days
  • Contribute for endorsing plan, costing of integration plan, integration in HMIS, EMID, eLMIS, monitoring, SBCC for integration, SIAs to cover remote population, policy dialogues and documentation: Regular updates on the COVID vaccine immunization and integration process in the country - 10 days

 Qualifications
Education:

  • An Advanced University Degree (Master's) in a relevant field including Medicine, Public Health, Health Policy and Management, Social or Behavioural Science or other related fields.
  • Additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the University Degree. 

Work experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years relevant professional experience in planning, management and implementation of immunization or health programs.
  • Very good understanding of national immunization programs, Primary health care and health systems.
  • Experience in supporting countries to design and implement new vaccine integration, equity analysis, strategies to reach zero dose and under-vaccinated children etc.
  • Knowledge and experience with reaching every district or community (RED/REC) approach.
  • Immunization programming field experience in contexts such as urban, remote rural, conflict, gender, and related areas an advantage.
  • Proficiency in use of statistical software an advantage.

Competencies:

  • Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is required. 
  • Strong analytical skills and experience synthesizing information from multiple sources.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Application Closing Date
6th May, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified vendors should send their Technical proposal and financial quotes in English with a list of at least three (3) Referees with contact details to: [email protected] using "Integration of COVID-19 vaccination into immunization programmes For USAID/ M-RITE" as the subject of the mail.

Note

  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
  • JSI is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preference, genetic information, political affiliation, or protected veteran status in any employment decisions.
  • Women are encouraged to apply.