Blog

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.

And we never give up.

For every child, a champion 

Fiji has been grappling with a surging COVID-19 outbreak following a breach in quarantine protocols and subsequent community transmission occurred. It reported a total of 52,709 COVID-19 cases and 673 deaths (MHMS, Fiji) as of 27 October 2021. Due to the concerted efforts made by the Government of Fiji with support of partners, number of new cases has gone down significantly from late September 2021. The increased rate of infections has severely constrained the Fiji Government’s response efforts. UNICEF mobilized urgent support to assist the Government of Fiji to manage the crisis. Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic and related response efforts continue to evolve, UNICEF seeks to recruit a national COVID 19 immunization coordination consultant to work with the MHMS in planning, coordinating, and monitoring all its COVID-19 response efforts. UNICEF will provide technical guidance and assistance to the MHMS on evidence-based interventions and to enable implementation with the most compliant up to date WHO technical guidance for COVID-19 programming. The consultancy will provide MHMS available information on up to date status of COVID-19 epidemic, prevention and response actions, supply and logistics availability and immediate and long-term plan to tackle epidemic emergencies at highest level within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. This would in turn support MHMS in making policy decisions effectively and efficiently.

How can you make a difference?

The consultancy will support Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services in timely and effective response to COVID-19 epidemic consistent with WHO technical guidance and to enhance flow of information between senior officials in MHMS and program managers at implementation level.

Scope of Work: The consultancy will
1) Drive the efficient communication and flow of information between various advisory and technical working groups, health departments and donor and partner agencies with senior officials at the Ministry of Health (Permanent Secretary of Health and Medical services) for COVID-19 prevention.
2) Drive the updating of information on epidemiology of COVID-19 status, response actions such as COVID-19 surveillance, testing, vaccination, availability and preposition of supplies and equipment, and community demands.
3) Synthesized data gathered and be made available to MHMS senior officials to come up with relevant and timely policy recommendations and actions which is key in COVID-19 response for timely decision making.

This role could be played by an astute and experienced national consultant who possesses excellent analytical and communication skills to liaise with different MHMS departments and external partners. The consultant is expected to receive, analyse, and synthesize the information gathered from JIMTs and relevant departments and provide daily updates to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical services. Accordingly, coordinated information shall be communicated to the high level MHMS officials. The consultant shall be housed at the MHMS office. The key activities will be:
• Reach out to various MHMS departments and JIMT to gather up to date information, synthesize and develop briefs on to the Permanent Secretary related to COVID-19 epidemic situation, response, and action.
• Liaise with Fiji MHMS JIMT on vaccine, partner, and laboratory focal points to seek regular updates and deliberations
• Liaise with external partners and donors as required for seeking information
• Work closely with the Fiji JIMT RCCE working group to keep track of media and community demands and reaction on COVID-19 epidemic and vaccination
• Develop briefs as suggested by Permanent Secretary

Supervision: Joint supervision will be carried out by the MNCH Specialist based in Fiji and the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services Fiji, with day to day support provided by Immunization Specialist and Health and Nutrition Specialist from the Suva office.

Type of supervision that will be provided:
• Quality assurance visits shall be done by the Family Health advisor of MHMS
• Supervision visits shall be done by UNICEF programme staff
• Overall supervision by UNCEF MNCH specialist

Contract Duration: 11.5 months

Work Assignment Overview

1. Reach out to various MHMS departments and JIMT to gather up to date information, synthesize and develop briefs on to the Permanent Secretary related to COVID-19 epidemic situation, response and action.
2. Liaise with JIMT on vaccine, partner and laboratory focal points to seek regular updates and deliberations
3. Liaise with external partners and donors as required for seeking information
4. Keep track of media and community demands and reaction on COVID-19 epidemic and vaccination
5. Develop briefs as suggested by Permanent Secretary.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• At least Bachelor’s degrees and 8 years of experience in related field including epidemiology, public health, health science, anthropology.
• Excellent analytical skills, communication skills, Immunization knowledge and skills, Cold chain knowledge, interpersonal communication skills and possess 8 years of experience
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the 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.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/ assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

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.