Immunization (Polio EPI) Consultant. Lashkar Gah Helmand. Afghanistan.6 Months. Nationals Only.Office Based (with Travel)#594888

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

Job Purpose

The consultancy will provide specialized, time-bound technical expertise to sustain the quality, continuity, and performance of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This assignment addresses critical technical and operational priorities during a temporary programme capacity gap. The consultant will offer advanced technical support to strengthen evidence-based planning, implementation, monitoring, and quality improvement of routine immunization and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs). This includes analyzing immunization and surveillance data to identify immunity gaps, monitor programme performance, prioritize high-risk populations, and support timely corrective actions. The consultant will also strengthen integrated immunization services by providing technical guidance on microplanning, supportive supervision, vaccine and cold chain management, surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, and strategies to identify and reach zero-dose and under-immunized children.

Responsibilities

The consultant will support effective coordination among the Provincial EPI Management Team (PEMT), BPHS and non-BPHS implementing partners, provincial and district health authorities, and other stakeholders to improve programme quality, strengthen accountability, enhance community engagement and demand generation for immunization, and build the technical capacity of frontline health workers through mentoring and on-the-job support. By providing this specialized technical expertise, the consultancy will help maintain uninterrupted implementation of UNICEF supported immunization activities, improve vaccination coverage and equity, and accelerate progress toward national immunization and polio eradication objectives. The consultant will analyze immunization and surveillance data using DHIS2, EPI dashboards, Excel, and other programme monitoring tools. They will provide technical guidance on microplanning, supportive supervision, vaccine and cold chain management, surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, and strategies to identify and reach zero-dose and under-immunized children. The role involves mentoring and on-the-job support for frontline health workers.

Work Experience

Two years of relevant professional work experience in immunization, public health, primary health care, disease surveillance, or child health programmes, including field-level implementation and monitoring. Experience in immunization data analysis, interpretation, coverage monitoring, microplanning, supportive supervision, and capacity building of health workers is required.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge of routine immunization, Supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), Vaccine-preventable diseases, Cold chain management, Immunization programme strategies, Data analysis and interpretation, Evidence-based planning and monitoring, DHIS2, Electronic immunization information systems, Data visualization tools, Microplanning, Supportive supervision

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