TERMS OF REFERENCE
Post Title:
EPI Vaccine Procurement & Training Consultant
Post Level:
P- 4
Type of Contract:
Short term Consultant
Duration:
30 days
Duty Station:
Luanda, Angola
Start date:
May 2015
Reporting to:
Chief, Child Survival & Development
Introduction and background
The Ministry of Health consider vaccines are important preventive intervention and as such a public good; thus, vaccines
are provided free of cost to the targeted population (children and pregnant women). The funding of traditional EPI
vaccines and vaccination materials have been totally covered by Government State Budget funds since 2007. Whilst
Angola received different kinds of support from Gavi since 2003 and it still receives support for the introduction of new
vaccines such as: Pentavalent, Pneumococcal, and Rotavirus vaccines.
The introduction of new vaccines requires the need for increased storage capacity of vaccines, diluents and injection
supplies at all levels, with greater improvement and responsibility in supply and logistics management due to its high cost
and vulnerability.
CECOMA is an autonomous national health procurement institution under the Ministry of Health created in 2013. The
institution is saddled with the responsibility for central procurement of all essential medicines and medical equipments,
including vaccines and immunization commodities. In October 2014, CECOMA had 24 permanent and 44 contractual
staffs; and it discharges its responsibility in close collaboration with other government agencies such as the National
Program for Essential Medicines; the National HIV/AIDS Control Institute for all HIV/AIDS. All health commodities are
purchased with the government budget; and relate to Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services
program (SIAPS)1; the Global Fund, through UNDP for all Malaria and HIV/AIDS health commodities.
Since 2014, all government purchases including medicines and vaccines pass through the public tendering process and
then procured by CECOMA. However, direct negotiations between MoH and UNICEF (MoU signed) resulted in an
agreement for the purchasing of Gavi vaccines directly through UNICEF SD. Currently, Angola procures all vaccines
(except Gavi supported vaccines: Pentavalent, Pneumococcal and Rotavirus vaccines) through two separate vaccine
intermediaries and distributors. First, Concentra, has been procuring vaccines for the MoH for 8 years; and has an
independent vaccine cold storage facility in Luanda (walk-in cooler - WIC and walk-in freezer - WIF) of its own (for bulk
storage of EPI vaccines). Concentra has been sourcing and supplying all vaccines for Angolan EPI since 2004; in addition
to supplying the government with other medical supplies (regular/critical medicines). Health Systems, another local
company, appointed as vaccine distributor to support the MOH, only in June 2014. The company currently rents an
independent vaccine cold storage facility in Luanda (WIC & WIF facility) for bulk storage of EPI vaccines; and since
June 2014, are contracted to supply the following vaccines: OPV, Measles, BCG, Yellow Fever, Tetanus and Anti-rabies.
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The objectives of the SIAPS project are: i) to improve governance, ii) to build capacity for pharmaceutical management and services, iii) to address
information needed for decision-making in the pharmaceutical sector, iv) to strengthen financing strategies and mechanisms to improve access to
medicines, and v) to increase quality of pharmaceutical services.
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During the Gavi graduation mission to Angola in October 2014; four major challenges were identified. These were:
 Absence of a dedicated team for vaccine planning and procurement;
 Weak vaccine procurement system; processes and procedures within CECOMA. The institution has limited
experience in vaccine procurement (CECOMA was put in charge of vaccines procurement since 2013);
 There is a need for further clarify the functional roles & responsibilities of each unit (EPI and CECOMA); and
 On improving the regular exchange of information between the 2 units.
Purpose of the Consultancy
 Update the standard procurement documents, develop the procedures and reference manual, produce a comparative
analysis of different procedure methods, produce the manual of best global procurement procedures (in both Portuguese
& English).
 Strengthening the procurement compliance and vendor / supplier management system and service level agreements
(SLA)
 Strengthen the vaccine forecasting tool (and ensure the coordination and use by EPI and CECOMA)
 To develop a dedicated and effective vaccine planning and procurement team;
The key outputs will include improvement of vaccine management; strengthened warehousing for vaccine safety, and
appropriate injection supplies storage and distribution system. Based on increasing need for improvement in public health
immunization programme, the challenges and risks in introducing new and very costly vaccines in the EPI vaccination
schedule; the assessment and strengthening of the vaccine procurement process in Angola is paramount to an efficient and
effective immunization of all Angolan children and women.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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To conduct an assessment and review of the Vaccine Procurement & planning systems (UNICEF, CECOMA & EPI )
To develop a library of appropriate technical reference materials (from TechNet-21,V3P,UNICEF, EPI) on Global
Vaccine Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Trends; Vaccine Supplier Evaluation and Selection; Electronic Sourcing;
Global Vaccine Sourcing Negotiations; Performance Measurement and Evaluation; Sourcing Risk Management;
Analytical Tools in Vaccine Sourcing and Sustainability; Vaccine Manufacturing landscape - Vaccine variety,
Production delays / uncertainty, Customization; Available Global unit Vaccine pricings as per Angolan EPI for
Antigens (from GAVI Secretariat and UNICEF), including related Training Materials & ppt. presentations.
To train CECOMA Vaccine staff on Vaccine Procurement; articulate the vital link between Vaccine forecasting,
Vaccine inventory , Lead time, Cold storage assessment & availability ( Provincial level) needs constrains, (
management, and how timely Vaccine Procurement contributes to successful process. relationship between vaccine
inventory turnover and purchasing needs;
To train CECOMA Vaccine Team on Cost benefit analysis so as to understand how Vaccine Manufacturing /Supplier
capabilities relate to competitive quality & price advantages and the application to a “National Vaccine Procurement
Strategy” that is consistent and supports National Immunization strategy;
To provide an orientation of the basic principles & issues in Global Vaccine Manufacturing and develop awareness
(for CECOMA & EPI teams) of how Vaccine Procurement consolidated planning / forecasting can be a source of
competitive advantage, Supply Chain Coordination: design interface, measurement and value of coordination, role of
IT in coordination support;
To develop Vaccine Procurement Performance Analysis for Vaccine Procurement; including complexities in
evaluating Vaccine bids, INCO Terms.
Train CECOMA on EPI on vaccine forecasting tool, their role of strategic sourcing, evolution in procurement
practices and managing supplier relationships, impact of globalization and e-markets (Sourcing and Supply
Management); Providing exposure to analytical approaches for Vaccine procurement decision making; understanding
trade-offs involved for building necessary capabilities within CECOMA.
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EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Advanced university degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health with post graduate
degree or certificate or diploma in supply chain and procurement management; CSCM, CPIM qualified.
Eight (8) years of relevant professional work experience, including in developing countries.
Fluency in Portuguese and English required.
Knowledge of another UN working language is an asset
Experience in monitoring gender inequalities and in programming interventions that reduce these inequalities an asset.
DELIVERABLES:
1. End of consultancy report (Hard & Soft copies in both Portuguese & English).
2. Customized Vaccine Procurement Training module and complete Training material ( in both Portuguese &
English language ); including multiple Training Tools – Case analyses, Vaccine sourcing best Practices,
Negotiation exercises, Develop separate Reference Manuals, Notes and PowerPoint Presentations.
3. Updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents based on comparative analysis of different procedure
methods develop reference manual of best global procurement procedures (in both Portuguese and English).
4. A procurement compliance template and vendor/supplier management system and service level agreements
5. Adapted Vaccine Procurement consolidated planning / forecasting guide or tool
OTHER COMPETENCIES
Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.
Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
Analyses and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational
departments.
Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly;
Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Applications will be considered only if accompanied by a completed United Nations Personal History (P-11) form, CV,
and cover letter to: UNICEF Angola Country Office, email luandarecruitment@unicef.org. All applications are treated with
strict confidentiality.
The deadline for receipt of applications: 30 April 2015
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male
candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to
become a part of our organization.
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