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Qualifications

Consultant for planning and implementation of Measles SIAs in Afghanistan

This consultancy is requested by:

Unit:        EPI 

Country Office    Afghanistan    

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to work with the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (NEPI) and World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Afghanistan in preparation, implementation, monitoring and report writing for follow up Measles Supplemental Immunization Activity (SIA) campaign as a response to the ongoing public health crisis due to massive measles immunity gaps in children,  low routine vaccination coverage, poor performance of the immunization service providers. 

2. Background

Afghanistan is a fragile, conflict affected country with weak health system capacity. The routine immunization services are provided by the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) implementers. Routine immunization coverage with the first dose of measles containing vaccine (MCV) was 51% and with the MCV second dose was 37% (MICS 2022-2023). As a result, country is facing large measles outbreak with 59,753 cases reported in 2024 and 13,631 cases reported in 2025. WCO Afghanistan supported National EPI in development of proposal to GAVI for measles follow up campaign for 6 months to 10 years old children (16,047,992 in total) in September-October 2025. In addition to that, the country requested support from the Measles Rubella Partnership for ongoing measles outbreak response.
3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date:    1 June 2025 (tentative)
End date:    30 November 2025
4. Work to be performed

Output 1: Provide technical support to the planning and preparation of the measles follow up campaign and measles outbreak response
•    Deliverable 1.1: Support National EPI in establishment and institutionalization of the National Task Force for the campaign implementation with technical working groups and coordination committees.
•    Deliverable 1.2: Develop field guide for the measles follow up campaign, detailing the responsibilities of the National EPI, REMT/PEMT, district, cluster and vaccination team staff. 
•    Deliverable 1.3: Benchmark the readiness for implementation of the SIA using the WHO SIA readiness assessment tool at the national and provincial levels as per the timeline of the readiness assessment. Produce related reports and share with National EPI and National Task Force to address identified deficiencies. 
Output 2: Provide technical support to the implementation of the measles follow up campaign and measles outbreak response
•    Deliverable 2.1: Develop training materials for the training of REMT/PEMT staff, supervisors and vaccination team members and support organization and implementation of training activities at all levels
•    Deliverable 2.2:  Provide technical support to the microplanning of the campaign, guidance on the best estimates of target population inclusive of high-risk population
•    Deliverable 2.3:  Develop protocol for intra-campaign monitoring (use of independent monitors) and post campaign coverage survey, facilitate coverage survey implementation.
•    Deliverable 2.4:  Develop reporting and recording materials that include zero dose children, provide technical support to the analysis of campaign coverage and planning for mop-up activities where appropriate
Output 3: Provide technical support to the analysis of impact of the measles follow up campaign and measles outbreak response
•    Deliverable 3.1: Analyze SIA data in appropriate charts, tables, graphs including budget, vaccine and logistics, coverage data, Adverse Effect Following Immunization (AEFI) data, M&E data.
•    Deliverable 3.2: Support implementation of the post campaign coverage survey and triangulate the data with the campaign administrative coverage
•    Deliverable 3.3: Final technical report on the campaign including contributions and comments of stakeholders. 

5.    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
6.    Specific requirements

-    Qualifications required:
Essential –University degree in Medicine / Public Health 
Desirable – Training in EPI, biostatistics, epidemiology
-    Experience required:
 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in public health program management, including experience in EPI. 
Experience in working for measles SIAs or other injectable vaccination campaign at national or large sub-national level in developing countries especially in fragile context countries.

-    Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
    Excellent knowledge in analyzing vaccine preventable diseases and EPI data, synthesizing information and presenting clear and concise conclusion and recommendations for decision making
    Knowledge of principles, practices, methodology and techniques of immunization program
    Excellent inter-personal and written communication skill
    Strong report writing skill in English
    Proficiency in English language 
    Working knowledge in computer software spread sheet, data analysis skill and MS Office is required
-    Language requirements:
    Essential: Expert knowledge of English 
    Desirable: Knowledge of Dari and Pashto languages
7.    Place of assignment
    Consultant will work in Afghanistan. 

8.    Medical clearance 
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
9.    Travel
Travel dates    Location:
From    1/06/2025    To    30/11/2025    Kabul
Purpose:    
The Consultant is expected to travel according to the itinerary and estimated schedule below:

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

Additional Information

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

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