TERMS OF REFERENCE
International Expert to provide support to MoH in completion of obligations of partners in the
area of strengthening of cold chain in vaccination services for its good quality and safety
Programme/ project title
Health and Nutrition/ improvement quality and safety
of vaccines for safe immunization practices
Position title
International Consultant on Safe Immunization
Practices (P4 level)
Location :
Bishkek
Application Deadline :
08 October 2013
Type of Contract :
Individual Consultant
Duration of Contract :
10 days in October and 20 Days in November 2013,
40 days in February/March 2014
BACKGROUND:
Immunization is at the heart of UNICEF’s mission and its approach to prevent child deaths. For further
introduction of new vaccines and maintenance of safety of current vaccination services, UNICEF
Kyrgyzstan is involved into strengthening of cold chain in immunization practice.
Key strengths of the immunization system in Kyrgyzstan
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Immunization services are supported as a priority area in the policy and strategic documents
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High and uniform routine immunization coverage sustained during the past decade.
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Good management of the immunization programme at the central level.
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Widespread immunization network capable to reach the grassroots level.
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Devoted and hard working health staff, willing to gain new knowledge and skills.
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Several partners supporting immunization.
Key challenges of the system
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Mobilizing funds for the immunization programme.
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Renovating the aged cold chain equipment on all levels of health system.
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Ensuring timely safe transportation of vaccines and supplies.
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Maintenance of knowledge and skills of health staff on save immunization practices.
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Reaching of children in the remote areas and from vulnerable families.
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Decreasing trust to immunization and lowering demand for vaccination services
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Monitoring, supervision and reporting
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Cold chain and logistics
Based on the plans of National Immunization Programme to introduce new vaccines and
requirements of GAVI, WHO and UNICEF assisted to conduct an Effective Vaccine Management
Assessment (EVMA) and improvement plan in October 2011. Recent progress reviews revealed that several
tasks in the improvement plan were pending requiring external technical and equipment support.
Following activities were planned for implementation in 2012 and still are pending:
- Temperature Monitoring Study (This activity takes 4-6 months between initiation to collecting final
results)
- Installation of computerized continuous temperature monitoring devices to all cold-rooms and freezers.
(This activity should include training of RCI staff for using the system properly)
- Temperature mapping exercises for all cold-rooms in use (central store and oblasts with cold-rooms)
- Preparation of new stock management tools (includes creating new stock cards, physical inventory forms,
requisition-issue-receipt forms, loss-adjustment reports, updating national guidelines, introductory trainings
of trainers)
- SOP preparation workshop and dissemination of manuals (includes translation and adaptation of EVM
SOPs, training of trainers
- Vaccine management trainings for Oblast management
Based on agreement with the Ministry of Health, technical expertise is to be provided by international
expert with proven practical experience in new-born/child health in Central Asian region within the WHO
standards and approaches.
These activities will be implemented in the frame of UNICEF’s Health and Nutrition Section’s RWP for
2012-2013, under the IR 1.1.1. The importance of this activities were discussed during Mid year review in
August and were agreed for implementation.
•
Indicator from RAM is % of health facilities on a primary level, which maintain cold chain in
vaccination services according to national standards.
Objective/goal of the consultancy
to provide support to MoH in completion of obligations of partners in the area of strengthening of
cold chain in vaccination services for its good quality and safety
Scope of work (or key tasks)
Under the supervision of UNICEF Programme Officer, a consultant, in the frame of mutual collaboration,
will provide technical assistance to the MoH of the KR.
A two-phase TA in 4Q 2013/1Q 2014 was proposed to cover 6 pending tasks. The consultancy costs will be
covered by RO, whereas additional costs (devices for the temperature monitoring study, local workshops,
field trips, etc.-needs to be confirmed with WHO/EURO) will be funded by CO. Proposed ToR for the
consultant is below:
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1st phase: (October 2013)
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Initiating the temperature monitoring study, training of national focal points from two selected
oblasts and four selected rayons according to the WHO Temperature Monitoring Study Protocol,
Conducting temperature mapping of existing central and oblast cold rooms,
Preparation of new stock management tools with national level staff (creating new stock cards,
physical inventory forms, requisition-issue-receipt forms, loss-adjustment reports, daily temperature
monitoring and reporting forms in line with 30 Day Temperature Recorders (30 DTR) and freeze
indicators, updating national guidelines),
Conducting an SOP preparation workshop with national level staff.
2nd phase: (February/March 2014)
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Finalizing temperature monitoring study by completing data collection, data analysis and preparing
study report,
Installation of computerized temperature monitoring device in central cold store, training of
storekeepers,
Conducting temperature mapping of newly installed central and oblast cold rooms,
Providing vaccine management training to national and oblast level staff (on newly developed stock
management tools, SOPs, temperature monitoring study results).
Reporting structure
The Consultant will work closely with Cholpon Imanalieva, Health and Nutrition Specialist,
Damira Abakirova, Health and Nutrition Officer, and Rima Imarova, Health and Nutrition Programme
Assistants.
At the end of the mission Consultant is to have de-brief with H&N section and Deputy Representative,
Raoul de Torcy
Qualification
 Advanced education in Public health with extensive experience in immunization, cold chain in
immunization;
 Extensive experience as WHO consultant in the area of immunization – assessments, preferably
EVM assessment, development of standards, training programs (including Training-the-Trainer) for
health care managers and providers;
 Proven technical and working experience in guiding the training in cold chain for immunization
services;
 Good computer and presentation skills, negotiation skills, training and education skills, extensive
experience working with international and multifunctional teams, ability to work independently;
 Be familiar with specific country conditions and needs in immunization;
 Consultants should be familiar with UNICEF Programme.
 Adaptability and flexibility in working within a complex and dynamic environment.
 Ability to deliver high quality product in a timely manner.
 Good communication and networking skills
Duty station and travel
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1st phase: (October 2013)
30 days including travel dates:
 5 days: temperature mapping of central cold store, preparation of new stock management tools,
planning and training for temperature monitoring study with MoH staff,
 1 travel day Bishkek-1st selected oblast
 3 days: temperature mapping of oblast cold room, training of oblast staff on temperature
monitoring study
 1 travel day to 2nd selected oblast
 3 days: temperature mapping of oblast cold room, training of oblast staff on temperature
monitoring study
 1 travel day return to Bishkek
 6 days: finalization of new stock management tools
 10 days SOP preparation workshop with MoH staff
2nd phase: (February/March 2014)
40 days including travel dates:
 5 days: installation of computerized temperature monitoring device in central cold store, training
of storekeepers,
 27 days: by visiting all oblasts, completing data collection for temperature monitoring study in
selected oblasts and installing computerized temperature monitoring device in each oblast cold
store, training of storekeepers and temperature mapping of cold rooms,
 3 days: data analysis of temperature monitoring study,
 5 days: providing vaccine management training to national and oblast level staff (on newly
developed stock management tools, SOPs, temperature monitoring study results)
Performances indicators and deliverables;
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Temperature Monitoring study is conducted, report is prepared
Training for local staff on approaches for conduction of temperature monitoring study is
organized and participants are skilful in conduction of this study.
Temperature Mapping of central and oblast cold rooms is done
New stock management tool is prepared
SOP workshop is organized
Computerized Temperature monitoring devises are installed in central cold store
Training for storekeepers on how to maintain Computerized Temperature monitoring devises
is organized and storekeepers are skilful in maintenance.
Temperature mapping of newly installed central and oblast cold rooms is done
Vaccine management training is organized for national and oblast level staff.
Final report is submitted with training materials and photos.
Estimated budget and source of funding
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The duration of work assignment is 30 + 40 = 70 working days.
The incumbent will be paid upon satisfactory performance of the service. Daily consultancy fee to be paid at
P4 rate. Travel cost and DSA for country visit will be paid separately.
UNICEF reserves the rights to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is not satisfactory,
outputs are incomplete, not delivered or failed to meet deadlines.
Medical requirements
The current contract doesn’t cover overtime compensation, medical insurance, tax coverage, annual and
sick leaves.
Drafted by: Cholpon Imanalieva, Health and Nutrition Specialist
Approved by: Raoul de Torcy, Deputy Representative, UNICEF Kyrgyzstan
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