Overall objectives:
The overall objectives of this consultancy are:
1) Support the expansion of activities with Gavi following the recent signature of an MoU and Framework Agreement between the two organizations.
2) To support RC/RC to prepare for and roll out the COVID-19 vaccine (once approved).
Context:
In April 2020 the Measles and Rubella Initiative communicated that more than 117 million children globally were at risk of missing out on measles vaccines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was followed in May 2020 WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi released a joint statement that at least 80 million children under one were at risk of disease such as diphtheria, measles and polio due to the disruptions to routine immunization services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. **
IFRC and Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies are deeply concerned that COVID-19 threatens to leave tens of millions of children vulnerable to disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases. We are committed to support national Expanded Program on Immunization efforts to safely deliver routine immunization and conduct vaccination campaigns, as needed, during the COVID-19 outbreak. RC/RC also aim to support all phases of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, from development to deployment.
MoU and Framework Agreement with Gavi:
In June 2020 IFRC and Gavi signed an MoU which identified the following areas for expanded collaboration;
§ Advocate: Strengthen advocacy efforts to engage communities, governments, policy makers and other partners to enhance political commitment to reach zero-dose and missed communities.
§ Identify: Support the identification of
Zero-dose/under-immunized children and missed communities.
Key, gender, demand, and access barriers for immunization in those communities.
Tailored strategies and interventions, adapted to the local context, to address those barriers.
§ Reach: Reach zero-dose and under-immunized children, including:
- Adoption of innovative and tailored delivery methods to expand access to and uptake of immunization services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
§ Monitor: Support the monitoring of programmes that aim to reach zero-dose children through:
Contributing to the strengthening of routine data systems.
Strengthening of community monitoring capacities.
Strategic use of data to track progress in real time.
§ Measure: Ensure that programme-related indicators are measurable and effective, and strong monitoring and evaluation controls are devised and instituted.
The MoU was followed up with a Framework Agreement which established terms and conditions for country level collaboration.
Expanding collaboration between IFRC and Gavi by the end of 2020:
The leadership of IFRC and Gavi have agreed that they would like to see concrete progress before the end of 2020 in terms of expanding collaboration at country level. To support this process IFRC through its regional and country offices has completed a mapping of the current immunization work of all NS in Gavi eligible countries. Gavi have reviewed and provided feedback on this mapping and identified several priority countries for the first phase of collaboration.
Deliverables for consultancy:
This consultancy will focus on the following deliverables:**
1) Support the expansion of collaboration between IFRC and Gavi by focusing on the first phase of priority countries (as agreed by IFRC and Gavi).
2) On a country by country basis support the necessary preparation by IFRC and the NS in advance of an initial contact with the Gavi country team. Facilitate the first discussions between the country and the Gavi country team with a focus on the key gaps the NS can address and sharing the key elements of the MoU and Framework Agreement.
3) Support the country office to complete agreed next steps and in the development and finalization of support documents required to sign a grant agreement.
4) In those countries were there is a longer term roadmap to signature of a grant agreement (eg: 12 months) support the country to develop a workplan with key milestones.
5) Support the finalization of any country specific grant agreement.
Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy:
This consultancy and the work of the immunization team aligns to the Federation’s Strategy 2020 as it supports the achievement of the following strategic aims.
1) Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises
2) Enable healthy and safe living.
Management of the consultant
The consultant will be managed by the Geneva based Senior Officer, Immunization
The consultancy time frame will be from September 20th to December 31st, 2020
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their CV, letter of interest, and daily consultancy rate in CHF (Swiss francs) to health.department@ifrc.org
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.