Overall objectives:
The overall objectives of this consultancy are:
1) To support the work of the RC/RC COVID-19 Immunization Working Group
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.
Background:
In June 2020, the Secretary General of IFRC organized a conference call with the leaders of a number of National Societies to discuss the need for RC/RC to:
1) Urgently address the decline in vaccination coverage globally due to disruptions caused by COVID-19.
2) Prepare for and support the eventual roll out of a COVID-19 vaccine (once approved).
Following this call a RC/RC COVID-19 Immunization Working Group was formed. This working group had three workstreams; 1) Advocacy 2) Operations 3) Resource Mobilization and an overall coordination committee.
RC/RC COVID-19 immunization Working Group
The RC/RC COVID-19 Immunization Working Group has formed three working groups and one coordination committee. The chairs and ToR of each working group is detailed below:
1) Advocacy Working Group (Co-chaired by Ivor Stokkereit Norwegian RC and David Fisher IFRC)
The working group has developed a draft advocacy strategy on immunization
The working group is finalizing a draft opinion piece for the IFRC SG
They are also preparing a model letter for NS to use with their authorities.
2) Operational Working Group (Co-chaired by SG of Indonesian RC and American RC)
- The objective of the working group is to plan and oversee the implementation of NS immunization programming in the context of the pandemic, including, but not limited to:
(1) maintenance and restoration of routine immunization services;
(2) support for vaccination campaigns;
(3) support for the safe, effective and fair development and distribution of eventual COVID vaccine(s).
3) Resource Mobilization Working Group (Co-chaired by SG of Pakistan RC and IFRC)
- Working groups priority is to raise the funds to support the work plans being developed by the Advocacy and Operations working groups.
4) Coordination Committee (Made up of three working group chairs and IFRC staff supporting the working groups)
§ The Coordination Committee is comprised of the three WG co-chairs, as well as chosen focal points from IFRC HQ.
§ The objective of the CC is to manage and document taskforce activities, ensure action items and workplans are on track, and report on progress to leadership and the larger NS constituency, among other activities.
Deliverables for consultancy:
This consultancy will focus on the following deliverables:**
1) Support the work of the different working groups and coordination committee including:
§ Establishing and managing mailing lists
§ Sending out meeting invitations
§ Disseminating support documents
§ Sending out minutes of working group calls
§ Circulating finalized documents
2) At the request of working group chairs develop support documents (briefing note, concept note, funding proposal, mapping documents.
3) Liaise with other agencies (Gavi, WHO etc.) as needed.
4) Provide specific support to working group members such as a specific NS that is requesting support on country specific issues (advocacy, communication, input into a funding proposal).
5) Provide feedback to working group chairs and the coordination committee on upcoming issues / opportunities and propose opportunities for engagement.
6) Review members by working group and propose specific NS that should be approached to join / contribute to a working group.
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
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions there will be no travel associated with this consultancy.
The consultancy timeframe 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.