Health Specialist, Cold Chain Logistics at the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Health Specialist, Cold Chain Logistics

Job No: 544622
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
Level: P-4
Categories: Health

How Can You Make a Difference?

  • Under the guidance of the Health Manager / immunization, provide technical support to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to ensure cost-effective and efficient execution of immunization supply chain strengthening priorities within the background of the 10-year National Strategy for Primary Health Care and Immunization Strengthening Strategy (NSIPSS). The position is to support the expansion of the cold storage space including equipping of the three hubs national storage system (Abuja, Kano and Lagos) and reaching all wards with solar driven equipment using the CCEOP window.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks
The health Specialist, Cold Chain, will carry out the following activities related to Operationalization and execution of the Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP) portfolio in Nigeria:

  • Serve as a member of CCEOP Project Management Team (CCEOP PMT) working in collaboration with other members of the National Logistics Working Group (NLWG)
  • Support the running of the CCEOP PMT Operations Room and implementation of Nigeria-specific terms of reference of the CCEOP PMT
  • Facilitate the conduct of  CCEOP PMT meetings, supporting the PMT secretariate as well as tracking the implementation of action points of the CCEOP PMT meetings.
  • Work with the NLWG to develop CCEOP PMT project implementation work plan, which will address execution of the brief from receipt of the Gavi Decision Letter to CCE deployment and monitoring of project milestones.
  • Support the conduct pre-installation site assessments and revalidation of the CCEOP Operational Deployment Plan (ODP) to minimize risks of deviation.
  • Actively monitor and evaluate deployment of CCE and other bundled services with other members of the CCEOP PMT ensuring adherence with the ODP and Deviation Protocol
  • Regularly liaise with the state PMTs to ensure their functionality, provide guidance and support tracking of CCEs deployment.
  • Support the functionality of established state maintenance units, facilitating the implementation of their workplans and established floating assembly.
  • Facilitate the quarterly update of nationwide cold chain inventory and gap analysis and provide feedback to NLWG
  • In collaboration with the Health Specialist, Immunization supply chain and logistics and/or Supply Specialists provide high quality on-site information to UNICEF Supply Division required for informed decision-making.
  • Where necessary, and in collaboration with CCEOP PMT and  UNICEF Supply Specialists, engage CCE manufacturer’s in-country representatives to course correct any deviations from the Operational Deployment Plan and/or incidences that might arise.
  • Work jointly with NLWG and the states to set a system to periodically re-validate the sites in the O.D.P.
  • Provide weekly update on status of CCEOP project implementation to National Logistics Working Group

Other Activities which may be Supported by the Specialist at the Request of the National Logistics Working Group include:

  • Technical support to finalization of the National Logistics Working Group (NLWG) 10-year road map, and annualized work plan, in line with the NSIPSS supply chain strengthening work stream.
  • Support the implementation of the three hubs in Abuja, Kano and Lagos for the expansion of the national cold storage space.
  • Support the cold chain expansion to accommodate the COVID-19 vaccines and other new vaccines in the country.
  • Support the installation/maintenance and monitoring of remote temperature monitoring systems in the cold chain equipment, providing regular feedback to NLWG.

To Qualify as an Advocate for Every Child You Will Have
Education:

  • Master’s Degree in one of the following fields Pharmacy, Medicine, Engineering or the Physical Sciences.

Experience:

  • Eight years of relevant professional work experience providing technical support in logistics, supply chain management, cold chain and similar activities.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset

For every Child, you Demonstrate

  • UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Core competencies:

  • Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
  • Works Collaboratively with others (2)
  • Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
  • Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
  • Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
  • Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
  • Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Functional Competencies:

  • Builds and maintains partnerships – (II)
  • Thinks and acts strategically – (II)
  • Drive to achieve results for impact – (II)
  • Works collaboratively with others – (II)

Deadline: 28th September, 2021; W. Central Africa Standard Time.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Remarks

  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
  • Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
  • Interested candidates are required to submit their all-inclusive financial and detailed technical proposal. Applications without these will not be accepted.
  • To view our competency framework, please visit here.
  • Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.
  • UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
  • UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.