UNICEF UKRAINE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
National (Ukrainian) consultant to support UNICEF Ukraine in preparation,
coordination and implementation of the polio outbreak threat related activities,
including strengthening of routine immunization
Level: Equivalent to a national NOB/NOC (Ukraine)
Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Start date: 22 November 2013
End date: 22 May 2014
Duty station: Kiev, Ukraine
1. Background
WHO/EURO declared Ukraine as a high-risk country for poliomyelitis in 2010 based on a low
immunization coverage (number of unimmunized children with polio vaccine has exceeded a full
birth cohort), poor disease surveillance and population movements. Furthermore, due to a recent
verification of the virus in sewage in Israel and the current inflow of pilgrims from Israel to
Ukraine, the risk of polio importation has become an imminent threat. With the risk that an
imported virus may spread to other countries, this poses a significant threat to the polio-free
status of the European region and will present a significant set-back to the goal of global polio
eradication.
The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)
discussed the situation in Ukraine at its meeting in London, 29-31 October 2012. The Board
confirmed the assessment that Ukraine is under risk of importation of the virus and
recommended establishment of an intensive ‘Polio Watch’ in countries at highest risk of polio
outbreak, including Ukraine.
WHO and UNICEF are requesting urgent public health response to distinctively mitigate the risk
of a polio outbreak. To support the government in its response to the looming threat of a polio
outbreak, UNICEF Ukraine is seeking a national expert who has experience in the development of
polio threat response strategies in order to mitigate the risk of a polio outbreak and strengthen
the routine immunization performance.
2. Objective and Assignments
Objective
The objective of the contract is to assist the UNICEF Office in Ukraine to facilitate preparation,
coordination with partners and implementation of activities related to the threat of polio outbreak,
including support to strengthening of routine immunization.
Key Assignments

To review the national polio related legislative framework, including related strategies, bylaws, instructions, guidelines at the national and regional levels and develop summary
analytic notes in this regard;
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To contribute to the revision of the national polio outbreak preparedness plan, including
planning of supplementary immunization activities, AFP and AEFI surveillance etc.;

To support the MoH, SES and other national partners engaged in the Extended Programme
of Immunization (EPI) in coordination and implementation of activities documented in the
joint UNICEF-WHO-MoH plan on responding to the polio outbreak threat in Ukraine, which is
based on different scenarios of polio related situation development, including activities
targeted at strengthening of routine immunization and support to the polio free status of
Ukraine;

To monitor the situation in the field and sub-national level with regards to a possible polio
case identification, including AFP and environmental surveillance and to provide
recommendations for adjusting planned activities especially in the targeted regions;

To facilitate meetings and activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of government
counterparts at national and oblast levels;

In cooperation with UNICEF and WHO country offices and international experts’ teams to
develop advocacy risk mitigation strategies in case of insufficient government political
commitment to take lead in addressing a polio outbreak threat;

To provide debriefings to the management of the UNICEF country office, RO and HQ on the
polio situation development and UNICEF engagement on a weekly basis;

To provide inputs, consultations on the overall
performance;
national immunization programme
3. Deliverables:
-
Review of the polio related legislative framework conducted and analytic summary notes
drafted by 15 December 2013;
-
Recommendations to the national polio outbreak preparedness plan and other related
concept and legislative papers provided on a monthly basis upon request of the MoH and
other involved national partners;
- In cooperation with the national and international UNICEF and WHO experts, operational
Action Plans drafted/finalized on response to different scenarios of polio outbreak threat
depending on the scale of wild polio virus importation, detection through AFP and
environment surveillance, transmission and kind of response of regional and national
authorities by 30 December 2013;
-
UNICEF inputs into the joint risk mitigation advocacy strategy developed and provided;
-
Weekly written situation analysis and reports the UNICEF country office on the polio
situation development and UNICEF engagement.
4.
Details of how the work should be delivered
Consultant has to submit to UNICEF all relevant documents such as: analytic papers, developed
operational action plans and monthly reports on the accomplished work in English and/or
Ukrainian language in electronic version.
5.
Performance indicators for evaluation of results
The evaluation of results will be based on the following indicators:
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Technical and professional competence (will be measured by the quality of reports and
developed action plans provided to UNICEF);
Quality of work (timely submission of the relevant documents to UNICEF);
Quantity of work (completing the assignments as indicated in parts 2, 3, and 4 above);
In addition such indicators as work relations, responsibility and communication will be
taken into account during the evaluation of the consultant’s work.
6.
Qualifications/specialized knowledge/experience required to complete the task
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Degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health,
Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management;
At least five years of relevant professional work experience in national and /or regional
government health structures with regard to a national immunization programme;
Proven ability, capacity and authority to work with technical level national staff and
advocate with decision makers;
Strong conceptual and analytical thinking, management and writing skills;
Ability to handle multiple assignments with competing deadlines. Able to work under
pressure and to tight deadlines and capacity to work long hours when required;
Good English language knowledge, including the immunization related terminology;
Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset;
7.
Definition of supervision arrangements
The contract will be supervised by the Deputy Representative, and day-to-day coordination will
be done by the ECD Officer.
8.
Description of official travel involved
The consultant will undertake travel to the regions of Ukraine on as needed basis. No travel
shall be undertaken prior to completing the UN Basic and Advanced Security in the Field
Courses.
9.
UNICEF recourse in the case of unsatisfactory performance:
In the event of unsatisfactory performance, UNICEF reserves the right to terminate the
Agreement. In case of partially satisfactory performance, such as serious delays causing the
negative impact on meeting the programme objectives, low quality or insufficient depth and/or
scope of the assignment completion, UNICEF is entitled to decrease the payment by the range
from 30% to 50% of the contract value as decided jointly by the Contract Supervisor and
Operations Manager.
10. Support provided by UNICEF
Day-to-day support for the assignment will be provided by the UNICEF county office
management and Early Childhood Development Officer and will include relevant information
sharing, briefing and de-briefing sessions, and accompanying some of the consultant’s meetings
with partners, when necessary.
The cost of the consultancy is the subject for negotiation with the candidate: you are kindly
requested to provide your expected fee proposal.
The deadline for submission of applications is 20 November 2013.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Applicants that fulfill the above requirements are requested to complete a United
Nations Personal History Form (P. 11) which is available at a web-site
www.unicef.org/employ and submit it together with a resume/CV and a cover letter
describing your professional interests in working for UNICEF.
Applications should be sent to:
UNICEF Office, 1, Klovskiy Uzviz, Kyiv, Ukraine
Fax No. 380-44-230-2506
E-mail: recruitment_kiev@unicef.org with a copy to vtaran@unicef.org
(Please indicate ‘National consultant to support UNICEF Ukraine in preparation, coordination
and implementation of the polio outbreak threat’ in the subject of your application)