Health Specialist, Vaccine & Cold Chain Management
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. UNICEF is a place where careers are built, offering diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
Job Purpose
Following a decade-long war, Syria experienced massive destruction of health infrastructure, including health facilities and cold chain equipment, and disruption of the health and immunization supply chain. To ensure continuity of immunization services, UNICEF, with support from Gavi, invested heavily in the national programme, including the immunization supply chain, which has ensured 75% of children receive life-saving vaccines. The Syria Immunization programme is currently undergoing transitioning into a One Syria programme, providing an opportunity to address gaps in immunization supply chain and cold chain, leveraging government commitment and increased access to immunization services. The Health Specialist will provide technical support to the country to improve Immunization Supply Chain (ISC) management, efficiency, and sustainability.
Responsibilities
The Health Specialist will provide technical support to the country to improve Immunization Supply Chain (ISC) management, efficiency, and sustainability by promoting and enhancing capacity in Effective Vaccine Management practices. This includes strengthening supply and cold chain management, installation, preventive and curative maintenance of cold chain equipment, and strengthening vaccine stock management to prevent stockouts and optimize vaccine usage. The role also involves promoting the establishment of a Functional National Logistics Working Group and promoting the collection, analysis, and use of data, evidence, and innovative tools to assess and continuously improve supply chain systems performance. The specialist will work with WHO and other partners to develop National Immunization Supply Chain and Cold Chain Logistics policies, strategies, guidelines, procedures, systems, and activities. Additionally, they will closely collaborate with other Immunization Supply Chain Management partners globally and in the field to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the immunization supply chain.
Work Experience
5 years of relevant work experience in immunization supply chain, cold chain management, vaccine management, health logistics, public health, supply planning, data analytics, policy development, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, public health planning and management, maternal and neonatal health care, vaccine cold chain management, or health emergency/humanitarian preparedness.
Skills
EVM Assessments, CIP Development, CCEOP Management, Vaccine Forecasting, Immunization Supply Chain Management, Cold Chain Management, Vaccine Management, Health Logistics, Public Health, Supply Planning, Data Analytics, Policy Development