Consultancy Title: VCCM Data Analytics Consultant  

Section/Division/Duty Station: Immunization Section/Health/ Programme Group

Duration: 01 March 2026 to 31 December 2026

Home/ Office Based: Remote

About UNICEF –

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

Strong and resilient health supply chains save lives. They are the cornerstone of efficient healthcare systems and a driving force for improving equity, quality and access to essential services and products. Effective stock management, forecasting and supply planning (FSP) and data use are critical links in this chain, ensuring access to life-saving products when required.  

However, evidence from Thrive360 and other relevant data sources point to persistent challenges at the subnational levels due to fragmented data systems, sub-optimal FSP strategies and processes, timeliness and completeness of data and insufficient human and financial resources among others. 

The knock-on effects of the challenging funding environment, allocation issues and under-utilization of data for planning and decision-making have further exacerbated the above strains on immunization supply chains at all levels, especially closer to service delivery points. 

UNICEF is taking proactive measures to mitigate these risks. It launched Thrive360 to create stock visibility in over 8,500 districts and lowest distribution points. Integrated relevant vaccine and cold chain management data streams, strengthened country engagement and feedback collection and deployed targeted technical assistance in 56 high-impact countries. Similarly, UNICEF has developed and operationalized the FSP4All tool that has been used in more than 25 countries to develop more agile forecasts and supply plans (using multiple methods), forecast reviews etc. based on best practices outlined in the multi-partner FSP Toolbox. 

Purpose of Assignment 

Under the direct supervision of Immunization Specialist – Data Analytics and/or the VCCM Health Specialists in the newly established Centres of Excellent (CoE), or another designate of the Senior Adviser – Immunization, the VCCM Data Analytics Consultant (VCCM DAC) will support the collection, review, quality assurance, analysis and visualization of vaccine stock data from respective country offices and governments to strengthen end-to-end stock management (routine, SIAs, new vaccine introduction, and others), expand stock visibility up to the lowest distribution and health facility levels, support FSP strengthening including use of multiple FSP methods, FSP reviews, set-up and strengthening of FSP teams, and operationalizing of FSP Assessments and improvement planning and contribute to NLWGs’ capacity development efforts. Additionally, the Consultant will expand consumption, expiry, wastage tracking to sub-national levels, reduce the time between data collection, analysis and sharing with managers for decision-making and support the data quality-assurance, means of verification and spot checks. 

In addition, the VCCM DAC is responsible for preparing the monthly qualitative vaccine situation report of countries related to the CoE repartition with a special focus on priority countries, highlighting key iSC challenges in the countries, outlining the frequency, duration and underlying reasons for stockouts and will support countries in the development and implementation of mitigation plans (including root causes, and capacity building to address/reduce stockouts and overstocks contributing to avoidable wastage). The VCCM DAC will also contribute to supportive supervision and monitoring, and document best practices and lessons learned. 

Scope of Work:

Under the direct supervision of the Immunization Specialist – Data Analytics and/or the VCCM Health Specialists in the CoEs, or another designate of the Senior Adviser – Immunization, the consultant will be responsible for: 

1. Support the deployment of Thrive360 country instances
   1. Support the design and implementation of Thrive360 country instances.
   2. Contribute to the operationalization of Thrive360’s ticketing system
   3. Collect and analyze country mitigation measures on vaccine stock risks
   4. Strengthening the interoperability between Thrive360 and relevant logistics information management systems. 
2. Expand subnational stock visibility to district levels and strengthen data management and use 
   1. Increase subnational vaccine stock visibility and reporting in Gavi eligible countries, especially in Francophone ones.
   2. Document dataflows, reporting rates, timelines and data quality issues. 
   3. Develop measurable targets to reduce the time between data collection, analysis and sharing for use by at least ten percent in five countries.
   4. Prepare eight comprehensive vaccine situation reports, draw recommendations and share them with respective country, CoE and HQ teams.
   5. Prepare two infographics showcasing the use of stock data by NLWGs and how escalation of supply chain challenges at the lower levels affected vaccine availability. 
   6. Conduct random data validation spot-checks, identify issues and recommend improvements
3. Conduct country needs assessment, develop workplan and produce progress reports:   The consultant will prepare the following reports/documents: 
   1. A work plan outlining specific activities countries need to conduct with detailed objectives and timelines. 
   2. Monthly quality-assurance, analysis, feedback and presentation of routine vaccine stock, SIAs, BCU and consumption data. 
   3. Capacity development report on various trainings and remote technical assistance provided to country vaccine managers. 
   4. Final report including documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations regarding the tracking of stockouts, interventions and impacts. 
4. Forecasting and supply planning (FSP) Strengthening 
   1. Facilitate the identification (through multi-level stakeholder engagements) of required FSP4All tool improvements and upgrade the current version, including providing technical input for digital enhancements  
   2. Build country capacity to utilize the  FSP4All tool to support countries with developing, finalizing and updating national forecasts and supply plans (including during annual forecasting exercises) 
   3. Conduct reviews of forecast and supply plans in two Gavi-eligible countries, draw recommendations for advancing or postponing actions.  
   4. Facilitate national FSP Assessments using the UNICEF FSP-QAT and support the development and implementation of improvement recommendations.
   5. Conduct forecast and supply plan accuracy analyses and other key FSP KPI reviews to inform global, regional, and national monitoring.
   6. Coordinate FSP capacity-building activities on best practices leveraging the FSP toolbox, FSP4All, FSP-QAT, and related tools.
   7. Support  Forecasting and Supply Planning (FSP)  capacity building. 
5. Conduct in-depth analysis, data quality review and publishing findings 
   1. Conduct in-depth analysis to identify trends and patterns in vaccine stock management focusing on lower levels of supply chains.  
   2. Triangulate stock data with relevant immunization/health data streams e.g. eJRF, CCEi, EVM, Forecast, BCU, and others. 
   3. Guide countries in MYA reviews and long-term vaccine projections to inform supply chain redesign and/or cold room capacity planning.  
   4. Analyze in-country stock movements, bilateral purchases, donations, adjustments, product switches, utilization of doses originally intended for other interventions e.g. SIAs, BCU others. 
6. Conduct capacity development and on-the-job training  
   1. Facilitate two capacity development workshops and organize two webinars on stock management, forecasting, risk identification, ticketing, data use and improvement of data quality.
   2. Produce practical guides on how to reduce the time between data collection, analysis and use 
   3. Organize a targeted approach to strengthen capacity based on specific data analysis. 
7. Support the rollout of eLMIS & traceability systems
   1. Dissemination of the Gavi costed roadmap toolkit
   2. Contribute to countries eLMIS selection needs assessment and TOR reviews
   3. Building capacity and training including the development of knowledge management repositories on iSC
8. Digitalization of Forecasting and Supply for all (FSP4ALL) toolbox
   1. The digitalization of iFSP tool
   2. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and document lessons learned
   3. The iFSP tool adoption
9. CVM Gaps Analysis and Gavi cash grant applications
   1. Facilitate countries to conduct a CVM gaps analysis and write the supply chain proposal including activities to strengthen critical gaps in vaccine and cold chain management

As part of the CoE, the consultant will be required to attend meetings organized by the section. These meetings may include discussions with other technical working groups in other UNICEF Offices, WHO, Gavi, or other partners and will contribute to the achievement of the deliverables. 

As part of the quality review, a bi-monthly review session will be conducted between the consultant and the CoE Vaccine and Cold Chain Management focal point.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Travel - Estimated $7,000

Qualifications

Education:

• An Advanced University Degree (Masters) in one or more of the following areas: Data analytics, Statistics, M&E, Information Technologies, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Public Health or other relevant fields.  

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in information management, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, immunization logistics, supply chain management, and vaccine management.
• Demonstrated experience in vaccine stock data collection, analysis, and visualization, including advanced knowledge of data validation, quality assurance, feedback loop improvement, data triangulation, and identification of key risks, preferably in immunization supply chains.
• Proven expertise in forecasting and supply planning for vaccines, including familiarity with relevant tools such as FSP4All, FSP-QAT, eJRF, EVM, and CCE.
• Demonstrated ability to support evidence-based planning for new vaccine introduction, supply chain optimization, cold chain capacity planning, and identification and mitigation of immunization supply chain risks at national and subnational levels.
• Strong technical skills in data analysis and visualization, including experience developing data processes using Python, SQL queries, and Power BI (Desktop, Service, Gateway, Dataflows, RLS, DAX, deployment pipelines, and APIs).
• Proven experience in planning, coordination, and management, including working with cross-functional teams and multiple stakeholders across regions and time zones.
• Experience working with governments, especially in resource-limited settings, in monitoring and evaluating supply chains.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments.

• Experience working with a UN agency or international organization is an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in French and English is required 

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.