Consultant (Development of National Immunization Strategy 2025-29)

Terms of Reference

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The main purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical guidance to the Federal Directorate of EPI to develop a National Immunization Strategy (NIS) for 2025-2029.

2. Background

Immunization is one of the most fundamental interventions of public health programs and is a key component of primary health care. The Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Pakistan was initiated in 1979-80 with the ultimate objective of reducing morbidity and mortality caused by vaccine preventable diseases. Priority interventions include capacity building in all areas of the EPI, enhancing community participation, effective vaccine and logistics management, quality service delivery, case-based surveillance, ensuring sufficient and sustainable funding, and strengthening partnerships for immunization. Pakistan’s immunization indicators are yet to reach the expected benchmark. The key goals of polio eradication, measles and rubella elimination as well as maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (except in Punjab) have not been achieved.

There is gross discrepancy in the number of fully immunized children across provinces. Based on Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2018, Punjab (79.9%) had the highest proportion of fully immunized children in 2017-2018, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (54.7%), Sindh (48.8%) and Baluchistan (28.8%) in decreasing order. There is a 5%-point increase in Pakistan WEUNIC coverage from 80% in 2020 to 85% in 2022. However, approximately 0.6 million zero dose children were not accessed in 2022.

The comprehensive multi-year plans 2019- 2024 in use will expire at the end of 2024. The Federal Directorate of Immunization intends to develop a new NIS in line with the immunization agenda 2030, taking into consideration local realities. Each province will thus develop their provincial immunization strategy which will then be consolidated into a national strategy. These provincial and national strategic plans will not only be used as technical guidance for the programme for the next 5 years but will serve as a tool for resource mobilisation.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 1 July 2024

End date: 31 December 2024

4. Work to be performed:

The consultant(s) will be required to formulate sustainable initiatives and strategies as per the requirements that can be funded for EPI by mobilizing resources, both from the existing/additional government budgets and external support. The scope of the consultancy is to develop a national immunization strategic plan for the next 5 years, taking into consideration provincial strategic plans, in close collaboration with the Federal and Provincial Governments, development Partners (WHO and UNICEF) and other stakeholders involved in immunization. The identified consultant will support and coordinate the work of provincial consultants in development of provincial level strategies as well as responsible for strategy for federating areas.

Output 1: Develop a national workplan for developing the NIS, including a stakeholder engagement plan and terms of reference (ToRs) for the steering committee and key working groups.

Deliverable 1.1: Develop timeline of activities accompanied by a stakeholder engagement plan.

Deliverable 1.2: Design and deliver a consultative workshop to consolidate provincial situation analysis with national and provincial stakeholders to outline the current situation for the programme and produce a narrative report to serve as foundation for the NIS.

Deliverable 1.3: Consolidate provincial strategic frameworks to achieve the vision of the NIS in line with the National Health Sector Strategic priorities with clear identification and agreement of roles and responsibilities across different levels of government and stakeholders

Output 2: Develop national M & E framework for action.

Deliverable 2.1: Develop and identify Indicators and milestones needed to keep track of progress towards priorities identified in NIS.

Deliverable 2.2: Finalize NIS scorecard indicators, milestones and publication timeline and reachconsensus with stakeholders.

Output 3: Finalize cost estimates/ resource requirement.

Deliverable 3.1: Develop and complete Cost/ resource estimates for NIS with country team (national and provincial) using NIS.COST tool.

Deliverable 3.2: Coordinate NIS budget dialogue with government, development partners and other stakeholders with identified source of funding.

Output 4: Finalize, approval and endorsement of NIS.

Deliverable 4.1: Organize and conduct meeting to endorse NIS document by the Federal Directorate of Immunization and relevant in- country stakeholders

Deliverable 4.2: Extract EPI Annual Operation Plan for ongoing year from NIS.Cost and share with country team

Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of EPI Team Lead and WR

5. Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

Essential – Advanced university degree (Master’s or above) in Epidemiology/Public Health.

• WHO, only consider higher educational qualification obtained from an accredited institution.

Experience required:

• At least 7 years of experience in EPI and public health, including experience in Health systems strengthening. Previous experience in developing an NIS will be an added advantage.

Desirable:

• Professional experience in project development and implementation.
• Relevant experience in WHO, UN or other international organizations

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications
• Knowledge of the current health system, with good understanding of the country needs, priorities, and policies
• Ability to provide technical advice and design and undergo assessment, and formulation of policy options and recommendations.
• Good interpersonal skills, team working, time management and Coordination.

Language requirements:

• Expert knowledge of English and local language.

6. Place of assignment

Islamabad

7. Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8. Travel

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO.