Position Title : National ISD Consultant (FEPI)
Background:
Childhood immunization against vaccine preventable diseases is a highly cost-effective intervention, delivering significant reductions in morbidity and mortality from inexpensive and standardized interventions. In line with international standards, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Pakistan aims to vaccinate all children from birth to 23 months of age against ten Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs). Pakistan is still home to 1.5 million under immunized children – the second highest in the region (WUENIC).
Between 2018 and 2022, the proportion of fully immunized children has increased from 66% (PDHS 2017-18) to 77% (TPVICs round 2). Stark inequities exist in public health services across the country due to demographic, geographic, economic, social, conflict, accessibility, and gender related barriers. Evidence shows that unimmunized children are largely concentrated in the poorest wealth quintile despite increase in total income; therefore, urgent action is required to reach these children with essential immunization. There has been a gradual improvement in the supply of and demand for routine immunization services in Pakistan; however, there are children in high-risk and urban slum areas that are still not receiving their vaccinations. If this gap is not filled, the coverage rates will not increase beyond a specific point. There are multiple factors on the supply and demand side which make it difficult for EPI’s services to reach these children.
EPI and PEI programs have made considerable progress in synergizing efficiently their resources and strengthened coordination and innovative approaches are still to be explored.
The objective is to strengthen RI in low performing districts, including the polio high risk districts to reduce missed children and missed opportunities, using both EPI and PEI platforms and resources.
Need Statement:
The EPI and PEI programs in Pakistan have made tremendous efforts in mobilizing mutual resources to address the immunity gap for EPI vaccines and thus for polio; Despite increased national averages in Penta 1, Penta 3 and MR2 (TPVICs), there are disparities in coverage with some districts performing better than others. Both EPI and PEI programs are mobilizing huge resources that will benefit mutually both programs if leveraged. The need to keep strengthening this synergy is a priority for Pakistan, facing VPD outbreaks in pockets of missed children.
The position is expected to identify areas of collaboration to be activated to improve the reach of the most vulnerable communities.
Scope of Work:
Under the administrative leadership of DG FDI/technical supervision of Senior manager Immunization UNICEF:
- Support coordination between EPI and PEI teams: attend regular NEOC meetings to ensure EPI program is represented, strategic vision is shared, and areas of synergy are identified from both EPI/PEI for optimal use of resources.
- Support in organizing joint EPI/PEI meetings.
- Support the establishment of a system approach to digital detection of un/under vaccinated children during polio campaign and in RI activities.
- Support reducing missed opportunities for vaccination at PHC level in urban cities.
- Support the establishment of birth registration in ISD outreaches and 24/7 birth dose sites.
- Other tasks required by DG FDI and UNICEF Senior manager EPI.
Qualifications and experience
The following minimum qualification, experience, knowledge and skills required:
- A first University Degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
- A minimum of five (05) years of relevant professional progressively responsible experience of understanding, working and analyzing large amounts of data.