National Immunization Consultant
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
Lao PDR is strengthening its immunization programme to sustain and improve routine immunization coverage, reduce inequalities in access and coverage, and ensure that zero-dose and under-immunized children and missed communities are identified and reached with appropriate vaccination services. The assignment aims to provide targeted technical assistance to the National Immunization Programme (NIP) and relevant provincial and district health teams to strengthen programme planning, implementation, monitoring and performance management. The consultant will support the programme to translate immunization data and evidence into practical actions, identify and address coverage and equity gaps, strengthen approaches for identifying and reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children, and improve coordination and accountability across national and sub-national levels.
Responsibilities
The consultant will support preparedness and implementation of priority immunization activities, including supplementary immunization activities and MR/HPV campaigns, follow-up of EVM-related programme recommendations, and documentation of lessons learned and good practices. Emphasis will be placed on strengthening the capacity of national and sub-national teams through supportive supervision, mentoring, training and use of relevant learning platforms. Through this assignment, the consultant is expected to contribute to improved programme performance, stronger data-driven decision-making, increased reach among missed and underserved populations, and strengthened readiness to prevent and respond to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in Lao PDR. The consultant will also support the programme to translate immunization data and evidence into practical actions, identify and address coverage and equity gaps, strengthen approaches for identifying and reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children, and improve coordination and accountability across national and sub-national levels.
Work Experience
5–7 years of relevant professional experience in immunization programmes, preferably at national and/or sub-national level. Demonstrated experience in routine immunization programme planning, implementation, monitoring and performance improvement. Experience supporting micro-planning, supportive supervision and/or immunization campaigns.
Skills
Routine immunization programme implementation, monitoring and performance management, Approaches to improve coverage and reach zero-dose and under-immunized children, Sub-national coordination, supportive supervision, micro-planning, monitoring and follow-up of programme actions, Supporting outbreak preparedness and response for vaccine-preventable diseases and/or supplementary immunization activities and vaccination campaigns, Familiarity with EVM and broader immunization programme quality improvement processes, Familiarity with the Lao PDR health system and immunization programme context, Mentoring, training/orientation facilitation, and capacity building of health teams