Back Consultant for National Immunization Strategy (NIS)

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Qualifications

1.    Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical guidance to the Afghanistan National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) for development of a National Immunization Strategy (NIS) 2026-2030 in line with WHO NIS guidelines.
Specifically, it aims to provide coordination and technical support to the establishment of NIS team, development of timeline of activities, desk review of available documents and preparation of situational analysis report, development of the strategies in close coordination with the NIS team and EPI stakeholders in country, development of NIS M&E framework, cost estimates as well as NIS and EPI annual operational plan.

Background
Immunization programs aim at preventing morbidity and mortality attributable to vaccine preventable diseases by offering vaccines to the population, in accordance with established technical guidelines. The World Health Organization (WHO) together with partners have developed a new strategic document for immunization - Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030). This together with other important global guidelines such as Gavi-5.0 presents a roadmap on how to achieve the vision of a world where everyone everywhere at every age, fully benefits from vaccines for good health and wellbeing.  To assist countries in development of the new strategic plans within the context of IA2030, the National Immunization Strategy (NIS) guidelines were released by WHO in August 2020.
WCO Afghanistan supported implementation of the comprehensive EPI review in October 2024; the findings and recommendations will feed into the NIS development process. The NIS development is becoming even more relevant in view of declining routine immunization coverage and ongoing polio and measles outbreaks with 26 WPV cases reported in 2024-2025 and 73,384 cases of measles reported in 2024-2025. 

2.    Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date:  1 April 2025
End date: 30 September 2025
6 months renewable

3.    Work to be performed
Output 1: Conduct situational analysis and develop strategy framework
•    Deliverable 1.1: NIS Development Team set up with identified ToR & timeline of activities accompanied by a stakeholder engagement plan
•    Deliverable 1.2: Situation analysis report by the immunization system
•    Deliverable 1.3: Strategies defined to achieve NIS vision of the country with clear identification and agreement of roles and responsibilities across different levels of government and non-government organizations to deliver the strategies

Output 2: Develop M & E framework for action 
•    Deliverable 2.1: High-level indicators and milestones needed to keep track of progress towards priorities are identified 
•    Deliverable 2.2:  NIS scorecard finalized from a consensus with stakeholders on the indicators and milestones with a consensual publication timeline

Output 3: Finalize cost estimates and develop a budget for the new strategy:
•    Deliverable 3.1: Cost estimates for NIS completed with country team using NIS. Cost tool
•    Deliverable 3.2: NIS budget dialogue organized with government and development partners and other stakeholders with identified source of funding

Output 4: Finalize NIS and EPI Annual operational plan 
•    Deliverable 4.1: Meeting held with stakeholders to present final NIS
•    Deliverable 4.2: EPI Annual Operation Plan for ongoing year extracted from NIS.Cost and shared with country team

4.    Technical Supervision
The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:
Responsible Officer:     Dr Chinara Aidyralieva, EPI Team Lead, WCO/AFG    Email:    aidyralievac@who.int
Manager:    Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador, WR/AFG    Email:    salvadore@who.int

5.    Specific requirements
- Qualifications required:    
•    Essential – University Degree in Medicine or in Public health. 
•    Desirable:  Health Economist
- Experience required:
•    Essential: At least 5 years of experience working in the public health programs including developing strategies and frameworks
•    Good knowledge on EPI and Program planning and budgeting 

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
•    Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.
•    Knowledge of Afghanistan health system, with good understanding of the Afghanistan vaccination program
•    Good knowledge on EPI Program review, root cause analysis, strategic planning, data analysis and interpretation
•    Excellent ability to provide sound technical advice, writing guidelines, developing plans and building capacity.
•    Good interpersonal skills, teamwork, time management and coaching.

- Language requirements:
•    Essential: Expert knowledge of English 
•    Desirable: Knowledge of Dari and Pashto languages

6.    Place of assignment
Kabul, Afghanistan

7.    Medical clearance 
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness.
8.    Travel
Consultant is expected to carry out field mission.

The consultant is expected to travel according to the itinerary and estimated schedule below: 
Travel dates    Location:
From    1/04/2025    To    30/04/2025    Kabul, Afghanistan
Purpose:    Purpose of the mission: to support preparation and implementation of the NIS workshop, partners coordination and NIS drafting.

Travel dates    Location:
From    01/09/2025    To    30/09/2025    Kabul, Afghanistan
Purpose:    Purpose of the mission: to coordinate finalization of the NIS with partners and preparation for the final debriefing on the NIS. 

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.
Visas requirements: WCO Afghanistan will support visa upon arrival process. 

Additional Information

·         This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

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