Consultancy- to Serve As Liaison Officer Between

**Grade**: No grade

**Contractual Arrangement**: External consultant

**Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)**: 6 months

**Job Posting**: Sep 25, 2024, 5:45:03 AM

**Closing Date**: Oct 2, 2024, 4:59:00 PM

**Primary Location**: Egypt-Cairo

**Organization**: EM/DCD Division of Communicable Disease Control

**Schedule**: Full-time

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1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to serve as liaison officer between the EMR Regional Working Group and the countries to provide technical support for the preparation, implementation and evaluation of the Big Catch-Up initiative especially in the eligible Gavi countries

2. Background

WHO, in collaboration with UNICEF, Gavi and other immunization partners initiated the Big Catch Up initiative in April 2023 to vaccinate children who missed their doses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key objectives of Big Catch Up are: 1) catch-up missed children, 2) restore immunization programme and 3) strengthen immunization programmes. The third dose of the DPT containing vaccine coverage decreased from 85% in 2019 to 82% in 2021 but it started to be restored in 2022 whereas the coverage reached 84%. The drop in the vaccination coverage resulted in a significant increase in accumulation of unvaccinated and under vaccinated children which led to outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases like measles, diphtheria, and pertussis. The Regional Working Group for immunization in EMRO supporting member states in planning, resource mobilization, implementation and monitoring of the Big Catch Up in EM region. Gavi is supporting countries with allocation of additional vaccine doses waiving co-financing requirement and allowing flexible use of available funds in countries, for operations of the Big Catch-Up activities. The Big Catch Up is expected to vaccinate millions of children, especially in Gavi eligible countries and some other priority countries. This initiative needs strong coordination, oversight from regional office and additional support to the countries.

Start date: 1 July 2024

End date: 31 December 2024

4. Work to be performed

Output 1: Support countries in the preparations and implementation of the Big Catch-Up initiative

Deliverable 1.1: Provide technical guidance to the countries to update their operational plans and support the countries in the Gavi funding re-programming to fund the Big Catch UP.

Deliverable 1.2: Conduct country missions as much as needed to provide field assistance

Deliverable 1.3: Support the countries in strengthening the partnership with other partners

Output 2: Support the countries in vaccine forecasting and management

Deliverable 2.1: Assist countries in demand forecasting and plan for scheduling the shipment of the vaccines

Deliverable 2.2: Follow up with the Gavi and UNICEF supply division to ensure the timely delivery of the vaccines

Output 3: Regular monitoring of the readiness of the countries and implementation of the Big Catch

Deliverable 3.1: Prepare a tool for monitoring the readiness of the countries for the Big Catch-Up implementation

Deliverable 3.2: Conduct regular monitoring of the readiness of the countries for the Big Catch Up

Deliverable 3.3: Conduct regular monitoring for the implementation of the Big Catch Up in the countries

Output 4: liaison with countries and other partners on behalf of Regional Working Group (RWG) for coordination.

Deliverable 4.1: Coordinate the regular meetings of the Regional Working Group

Deliverable 4.2: Prepare the regular update of the EMR on the Big Catch UP to be presented in the regional working group

Deliverable 4.3: Coordinate with the regional partners for concerted efforts and effective cooperation
- Qualifications required:

- Essential: University Degree in Medicine
- Experience required:

- Essential: At least 5 years of experience working in the public health programs.
- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
2- Knowledge and good understanding of vaccination programme in priority countries in EMR.

3- Ability to provide technical advice, design and develop tools, and formulation of policy and recommendations for immunization programme.

4- Good interpersonal skills, teamwork, and time management
- Language requirements:
Expert knowledge of English

5. Place of assignment

EMRO - Cairo. On-site consultant.

Medical clearance : The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.) 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: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information section
- Remun