Vaccine Management and Supply Chain Specialist

Mission and objectives

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

Context

UNICEF supports the Government of the Republic of Congo in strengthening immunization services to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for all children and target populations. The continuous availability of vaccines, immunization supplies, and a functional cold chain system is critical for achieving national immunization goals, supporting vaccination campaigns, introducing new vaccines, and responding effectively to public health emergencies. Despite significant progress, several challenges remain: • Frequent stock-outs of vaccines and immunization supplies; • Weak forecasting and quantification systems; • Limited stock management capacity at sub-national levels; • Gaps in cold chain monitoring and management; • Inconsistent quality of logistics data; • Challenges associated with vaccine introductions, supplementary immunization activities, and emergency response operations. The primary objective of this assignment is to support the Government and UNICEF in strengthening vaccine management, supply chain systems, cold chain performance, and logistics management across all levels of the health system. The UN Volunteer will provide technical assistance to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and contribute to strengthening national capacities in vaccine management, stock management, cold chain operations, logistics information systems, and data utilization for decision-making. The incumbent will work closely with UNICEF's Immunization Team, the Ministry of Health and Population, EPI managers, and technical partners to improve the overall performance of the vaccine supply chain.

Task Description

Under the delegated authority and supervision of the UNICEF Immunization Specialist, the UN Volunteer will: Vaccine and Stock Management • Monitor the availability of vaccines, immunization supplies, and cold chain equipment. • Support vaccine forecasting and quantification exercises. • Monitor stock levels, consumption trends, losses, and stock-out risks. • Strengthen vaccine and supply accountability mechanisms. • Support stock redistribution between levels when necessary. • Monitor vaccine expiry dates and wastage rates. Cold Chain and Logistics Management • Support monitoring of storage capacity and cold chain performance. • Ensure regular updating of cold chain equipment inventories. • Participate in preventive and corrective maintenance monitoring. • Ensure adherence to vaccine storage, handling, and transportation standards. • Monitor nationwide deployment of vaccines and immunization supplies. Data Management and Logistics Information Systems • Improve the quality, availability, and use of logistics data. • Strengthen the utilization of LMIS and eLMIS platforms. • Produce logistics dashboards and analytical reports. • Monitor key supply chain performance indicators. • Support triangulation of stock, consumption, and immunization coverage data. Capacity Building • Organize and facilitate training activities on vaccine management, cold chain management, and logistics. • Provide mentoring and coaching to vaccine managers and logisticians. • Develop and disseminate standard operating procedures and tools. • Strengthen the capacities of national and sub-national EPI staff. Coordination and Monitoring • Participate in EPI technical working groups and coordination meetings. • Strengthen coordination between the national vaccine store, intermediate stores, and health districts. • Contribute to the documentation of Gavi-supported and partner-supported activities. • Support joint supervision, monitoring, and evaluation missions. Support to Campaigns and Public Health Emergencies • Support logistical planning of immunization campaigns. • Provide logistical support during outbreak response and emergency interventions. • Monitor the use of vaccines and supplies during campaigns and response activities. • Strengthen vaccine availability during emergency situations. Other Tasks • Perform any other related duties as assigned by the supervisor. . Promotion of Volunteerism UN Volunteers are encouraged to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of volunteerism. • Participate actively in UNV activities and events. • Engage with local volunteer networks and community initiatives. • Produce stories, articles, and lessons learned from field experiences. • Support newly recruited UN Volunteers. • Promote online volunteering opportunities whenever applicable. Results / Expected Outputs As an active UNICEF team member, the UN Volunteer is expected to provide efficient, timely, responsive, high-quality support to UNICEF and its beneficiaries, including: • Improved availability of vaccines and immunization supplies across the country. • Reduced vaccine stock-outs at national and sub-national levels. • Strengthened cold chain management and monitoring systems. • Improved quality and utilization of logistics data. • Reduced vaccine wastage. • Strengthened capacities of EPI managers and health personnel. • Monthly reports on vaccine stocks, cold chain status, and logistics performance. • Increased use of data for decision-making. • Documented contribution to volunteerism for peace and development. Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspectives should be systematically integrated into all activities throughout the assignment. A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development shall be submitted at the end of the assignment.

Competencies and values

-UNICEF Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability Competencies Professionalism Demonstrates strong technical expertise, sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in carrying out responsibilities. • Integrity Acts in accordance with UN and UNICEF values and ethical standards. • Teamwork and Respect for Diversity Works collaboratively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments while respecting diversity and inclusion. • Commitment to Continuous Learning Demonstrates initiative and willingness to continuously develop professional skills and knowledge. • Planning and Organizing Effectively plans, prioritizes, and manages multiple assignments and deadlines. • Communication Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. • Flexibility Demonstrates adaptability and willingness to travel and work in different operational environments. • Commitment to Volunteerism Shows commitment to solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, self-reliance, and the principles of volunteer engagement.

Living conditions and remarks

The position is based in Brazzaville with regular travel to departments and field locations. Basic infrastructure, telecommunications, health facilities, and transportation services are available in Brazzaville and most duty locations. As this is a National UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and personal living arrangements. 17. Conditions of Service for National UN Volunteers The assignment is for the period indicated above and may be extended subject to: • Availability of funding; • Operational needs; • Satisfactory performance. The UN Volunteer will be entitled to benefits in accordance with UNV conditions of service, including: • Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA); • Life and health insurance; • Disability coverage; • Applicable entitlements and allowances according to UNV policies. United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of gender, nationality, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or cultural background.