International Immunization consultant, Dili, Timor-Leste, Office based, 6 Months (Open for International Candidates Only), Ref#594979

Contract Duration:  6 Months

Working arrangement: Office Based

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                                                         TERMS OF REFERENCE

Review the GAVI 6.0 guidelines alongside the NIS 2026–2030 and EVM assessment recommendations to ensure alignment with national priorities. Coordinate closely with the Immunization Department and the Director General of Partnership to clarify the Ministry of Health’s financial allocation to the immunization program for 2026–2030. Based on this, analyze critical funding gaps and develop recommendations on how to leverage available resources to effectively scale up immunization activities. Review the TCA and HSS investments since January 2026, to identify the unfunded activities that are recommended in NIS 2026-2030. Finally, provide technical support to the Ministry of Health in developing a comprehensive GAVI 6.0 consolidated cash grant proposal.

Scope of Work:

Background:

GAVI has collaborated with the Government of Timor-Leste since 2012, supporting the country through the provision of new vaccines and financial assistance. To date, five vaccines have been introduced in Timor-Leste with GAVI support: Pentavalent, IPV, Rotavirus, and PCV, with HPV introduction in the second quarter of 2024.

GAVI has provided financial support to Timor-Leste through three types of grants: Health System Strengthening (HSS), Transition Grants, and Post-Transition Grants.

1. The Health System Strengthening (HSS) grant amounted to USD 2,998,647.00. The unspent balance of US$ 844,028.00, initially allocated to the Ministry of Health, was subsequently reallocated to the Transition Grant and later to the Post-Transition Grant.
2. GAVI allocated US$ 1,168,620.00 under the Transition Grant, which was fully utilized.
3. The total approved Post-Transition Grant amounts to US$ 8,302,516.48.

Post-Transition Support

The Post-Transition Grant focuses on the following key areas:

1. New Vaccine Introductions (USD 1.1 million): Financial support for the introduction of Rotavirus (2019), PCV (2023), and HPV (planned for June 2024). This support covers both vaccines and associated introduction costs, estimated at USD 100,000.00 per vaccine.
2. Service Delivery (USD 1.5 million): Support for outreach activities, supportive supervision, micro-planning, data quality improvement, and strengthening the remaining cold chain systems in lower-performing districts.
3. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building (USD 5.7 million): Continued technical support from UNICEFand WHO, including skills transfer, learning exchanges for NITAG and NRA, ongoing twinning arrangements with Sri Lanka, and strengthening the core functions of INS to ensure long-term sustainability.

In 2026, GAVI support will continue through CFS and TCA to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in overall vaccine management, surveillance, data management, cold chain systems, and health promotion activities. The Health System Strengthening (HSS) component will support the continuation of critical immunization activities from January 2026 to June 2027, following the conclusion of support previously provided through the Post-Transition Grant up to December 2025. In addition to GAVI core alliance partners, one CSO is included in line with GAVI guidelines with allocation of 10% of total funds.

Timor-Leste will develop and submit a consolidated cash grant proposal by the fourth quarter of 2026 for IRC review and feedback. The final proposal is expected to be submitted to the GAVI Board by December 2026. This process is essential to ensure the uninterrupted implementation and scaling up of immunization activities.

Scope of Work:

1. In-depth review of the existing immunization reports such as annual EPI review reports, eJRF, cold chain and inventory
2. Desk review GAVI 6.0 guidelines and templates
3. Analyze the HSS and TCA implementation status; January 2026-June 2027
4. Technical support to national immunization department to analyze the key recommendations from National Immunization Strategy 2026-2030 and Effective vaccine Management, to be incorporated into the consolidate cash grant
5. Bilateral meeting with Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO and key stakeholders to analyze the critical gaps in immunization services, community engagement and supply chain
6. Technical assistance to Ministry of Health to ascertain MoH contributions on vaccines co-financing
7. Recommendation to leverage available resources to enhance immunization activities at scale
8. Develop a consolidated cash grant proposal for 3.5 years; July 2026-December 2030 with available GAVI resources, US$ 3.5 million
9. Assist MoH to submit the proposal by November 2026
10. Incorporate IRC feedback and submit the final proposal by December 2026 / January 2027

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  Terms of Reference TMC0003082.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Advanced degree in Public Health

Work Experience:

Min 7 years

Language Requirements:

English

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

Knowledge on development of immunization proposal, health financing, new vaccine introduction and cold chain system. 

Desirables:

Portuguese Language

For every Child, you demonstrate Integrity

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UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  Financial proposal TMC0003082.xlsx
• A detailed technical proposal

Past GAVI Proposal(s)

Remarks:  

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