Immunization (Polio EPI) Consultant. Lashkar Gah Helmand. Afghanistan.6 Months. Nationals Only.Office Based (with Travel)#594888

Contract Duration: 6 Months

Working arrangement: Office Based

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

The consultancy will provide specialized, time-bound technical expertise to sustain the quality, continuity, and performance of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in Helmand Province, a high-priority and high-risk province for polio transmission. The assignment is designed to address critical technical and operational priorities during a temporary programme capacity gap and is not intended to replace a staff position or perform routine administrative functions. The consultant will provide advanced technical support to strengthen evidence-based planning, implementation, monitoring, and quality improvement of routine immunization and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs). This includes analysing immunization and surveillance data using DHIS2, EPI dashboards, Excel, and other programme monitoring tools to identify immunity gaps, monitor programme performance, prioritize high-risk populations, and support timely corrective actions. The consultant will also strengthen integrated immunization services by providing technical guidance on microplanning, supportive supervision, vaccine and cold chain management, surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, and strategies to identify and reach zero-dose and under-immunized children. The consultancy will further support effective coordination among the Provincial EPI Management Team (PEMT), BPHS and non-BPHS implementing partners, provincial and district health authorities, and other stakeholders to improve programme quality, strengthen accountability, enhance community engagement and demand generation for immunization, and build the technical capacity of frontline health workers through mentoring and on-the-job support. By providing this specialized technical expertise, the consultancy will help maintain uninterrupted implementation of UNICEF supported immunization activities, improve vaccination coverage and equity, and accelerate progress toward national immunization and polio eradication objectives.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0004368 External ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Medicine, Health, Public Health, Family Health, Child Development, Nursing, or a field relevant to international development assistance in Immunization and Child Survival & Health Care

Work Experience: Two years of relevant professional work experience. experience in immunization, public health, primary health care, disease surveillance, or child health programmes, including field-level implementation and monitoring. Experience in immunization data analysis, interpretation, coverage monitoring, microplanning, supportive supervision, and capacity building of health workers is required. Training and experience in public health, or Immunization or child survival and health care

Skills: Strong technical knowledge of routine immunization, supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), vaccinepreventable diseases, cold chain management, and immunization programme strategies. Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, and use immunization and public health data for evidence-based planning, monitoring, and decision-making. Knowledge of DHIS2, electronic immunization information systems, and data visualization tools.

Language Requirements: English and Pashto are a must. Knowledge of other local languages spoken in Afghanistan is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) TMC0004368 Financial proposal.xlsx

Remarks:

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.