Immunization and cold chain consultant - 260 days

Background

Lebanon’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) aims to ensure equitable and sustainable access to quality immunization services, in line with global and national strategies to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. UNICEF, as a key partner, provides technical and financial support to the MoPH to secure vaccines, maintain the cold chain system, and strengthen immunization coverage.

To ensure effective functionality and sustainability of the cold chain system, UNICEF has engaged a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) holder for maintenance of cold chain equipment at the central warehouse, district level, and health facilities. The Ministry of Public Health requires a technical assistance focal person who will monitor the performance of the LTA holder, oversee cold chain maintenance activities, and strengthen vaccine and cold chain management.

Purpose of the Assignment

The Immunization and Cold Chain Consultant will provide technical assistance to the MoPH to ensure the effective planning, monitoring, and management of vaccines and cold chain systems. In particular, the consultant will monitor the implementation of cold chain maintenance carried out by the LTA holder contracted by UNICEF, while contributing to capacity-building and sustainability of the immunization program.

Objectives

-Strengthen vaccine management and cold chain operations at national and subnational levels.

-Monitor and oversee the performance of the LTA holder for cold chain maintenance and ensure adherence to contractual obligations.

-Enhance the functionality and sustainability of cold chain equipment, including preventive and corrective maintenance.

-Build national capacity for vaccine handling, cold chain management, and maintenance oversight.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will:

1. Monitoring of Cold Chain Maintenance

• Act as the MoPH focal point for supervising the work of the LTA holder engaged by UNICEF for cold chain maintenance.
• Review and validate maintenance plans, schedules, and reports submitted by the LTA holder.
• Conduct regular site visits with the LTA holder to ensure quality and timeliness of maintenance and repairs.
• Verify compliance with service-level agreements and provide feedback to MoPH and UNICEF on performance.
• Recommend corrective actions for any gaps identified in maintenance.

• Ensure alarm and temperature monitoring systems are functioning and incidents are documented, reported, and acted upon.
• Support in the cold chain equipment for any new vaccine introduction.

2. Capacity Building

• Provide training and technical support and on job coaching to MoPH staff, warehouse managers, and health facility workers on proper use and maintenance of cold chain equipment.
• Develop SOPs, technical guidelines, and training modules for cold chain operations and equipment care.

4. Coordination and Technical Support

• Coordinate with MoPH, UNICEF, the LTA holder, and other partners to ensure alignment of cold chain strengthening activities.
• Contribute to the development of sustainability and transition plans for cold chain management.

5. Monitoring and Reporting

• Conduct supervisory visits to warehouse, districts, and health facilities to assess vaccine and cold chain management practices.
• Submit monthly technical reports on the performance of the LTA holder, equipment functionality and on monthly deliverables.
• Submit a quarterly CCE inventory report, and document any required data of CCE on the specified UNICEF platforms.
• Support on the implementation of the CiP ( comprehensive improvement plan) of the EVM assessment conducted
• Conduct an assessment of the RTMDs (close follow up with the IT focal person) on the live dashboards with inputs on the sustainability of these devices
• Supervise and monitor the vaccine quantity and quality in all 28 vaccine distribution points

6.   Monitoring the quality of vaccines and supporting in vaccine management:

• Filed visits to the Karantina warehouse, health facilities and DOs to monitor vaccine quality and safe storage.
• Support UNICEF and MoPH in vaccine forecasting, distribution at all levels.

Reporting Requirements

The consultant will be reporting to UNICEF health section and the Director of the PHCC Dept, Ministry of Public Health

A detailed monthly report must be submitted to UNICEF, on the development and progress of the project, with all the related deliverables.