Central African Republic: IFRC focal point for M&E for Immunization activities in the Central African Republic

Consultancy purpose:

• Immunization support-vaccine and data management

• Innovations in mobile technology – RAMP_EPI support

Background:

IFRC is currently supporting malaria activities in the Central African Republic (CAR) using mobile phone platforms to collect information on the malaria program from 81 reporting sources. There is a significant need to strengthen management of information for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in CAR. In February 2016, a mission was conducted in CAR to assess the feasibility of using the malaria RAMP data management system for collecting EPI data and an agreement was made to pilot an EPI application in the coming months with intention to expand nationwide over the long-term.

Overall objectives and deliverables of the consultancy – Immunization support

1. Serve as IFRC focal point for M&E for the IFRC/Immunization activities in the Central African Republic.

2. Provide technical assistance for overall vaccine management in the Central African Republic.

3. Development of an application in MAGPI (data collection platform) to collect doses administered and vaccine management data based on existing reporting forms. Key deliverable are to include:

a. 2 mobile applications in MAGPI including one for doses administered data and one for vaccine management data.

b. Development of training materials

c. Pilot testing in 1 or 2 regions with feedback from the Ministry of Health and Partners

d. Finalizing the applications based on feedback from the pilot

e. Expanded implementation of reporting system nationwide over the next 12 months 4. Development of an SOP for analysis and feedback of MAGPI data to relevant public health officials

1. Promote management systems and practices that use vaccine coverage and management data to improve performance of the EPI program in CAR.

2. Training of M&E officers on use of mobile platform data.

Overview of activities: Supporting vaccination of children in conflict areas and in countries with complex emergencies is a high priority for the immunization program at IFRC. The EPI program in CAR has been negatively impacted by conflict over the past decade. Many health facilities have been looted and closed, health care workers attacked and vaccine storage sites destroyed. Currently, the country has 324 fixed centres in 30 districts providing vaccination services. The clinics provide fixed, outreach and mobile services based on proximity of the target population to the facility. Outreach is conducted for communities within 5 km of the health care facilities. Persons living more than 5 km are vaccinated by mobile outreach teams.
Currently, the vaccine distribution system is managed out of Bangui with support from UNICEF. The national store has established regional and districts stores where vaccines are stored in kerosene or solar powered equipment. From these stores, vaccines are distributed to districts for storage in cold boxes and delivered to treatment facilities on a daily basis using vaccine carriers with ice packs.
The system to monitor utilization and storage of vaccines relies on a paper-based reporting system that is often delayed for a time period up to three months making vaccine management challenging. At the facility level, monthly vaccination coverage data is sent on a paper form to the district for compilation. At the district level, facility data is aggregated into a district reporting form and sent to the national level for data entry and analysis. Overall, the process is slow and there is limited use of data to monitor program performance. In 2014, vaccination coverage DTP3 and the first dose of measles vaccine was 47% and 49% respectively. It is expected that the development of a timely reporting system will improve program performance and lead to improved access and utilization of immunization services.

Desired outcomes and consultancy outputs

1) Improve the quality and timeliness of EPI reporting data

2) Improved utilization of reporting data to enhance program performance.

3) Enhanced capacity of IFRC and NS to roll out RAMP methodology

Time Allocation, for budget purposes

The number of days estimated for this consultancy is 176 split between travel to the Central Africa Republic and remote assistance provided from the consultant’s home base. The period of the consultancy is expected to be from 25^th June 2016 to 25^th June 2017.

Management of consultancy

The consultant will be managed by the IFRC Global Immunization Programme Senior Officer.

Notes

· The consultant will be contracted by the IFRC and the standard contractual terms will apply.

· Agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed at cost in accordance with in the IFRC’s relevant regulations.

Please submit the items listed below to apply at the following email address: melanie.caruso@ifrc.org

• Copy of your CV
• Quotation with expected consultant daily fee

Only applications including both these items will be considered.