1. Purpose of the Consultancy

To provide technical support to the 18 states in escalation of COVID-19 vaccination and strengthening routine immunization

1. Background

On January 30th, 2020 the World Health Organization declared 2019-nCoV disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and on February 11th, 2020 the WHO named the disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 as COVID-19, which references the type of virus and the year.    On March 13th (week 11/2020) Sudan FMoH declared the first COVID-19 case. Until Saturday August 14, 2021 a total of 71,909 suspected cases reported in Sudan of which 37,556 (52.2%) tested positive including 2,799 associated deaths, CFR:7.4%. cumulative positivity rate is 53.1%.

Khartoum state represent 66.0% of Sudan total confirmed cases followed by Gezira state at 9.3% then Red Sea state at 5.0%. Male patients present 59.0% of the total confirmed cases and 69.4% of COVID-19 associated deaths. The “25-29.9” age group is the most affected show 12.0% of confirmed cases. 52% of total confirmed cases were detected in less than 45 years’ old, whereas 74.0% of deaths are among 60 years old and above. The highest CFR is 37.5% recorded in Central Darfur followed by North Darfur at 27.0% while the lowest CFR is 3.4% recorded in West Kordofan. Fever and cough are the most common symptoms among suspected cases representing 37.0% and 30.2%, respectively. While fever (28%) and shortness of breath (26%) are the main signs among reported deaths

With overall objective of Protect public health and minimize societal and economic impact by reducing COVID-19 mortality, the COVAX Facility is administered by the Gavi Secretariat and implemented in partnership with WHO and ACT Accelerator actors. Countries are divided in to two groups based on income level, Low-income (LIC) and Low middle income (LMIC) countries GNI <US$4,046 Supported by Gavi Advanced Market Commitment (AMC), Sudan is one of the countries eligible for the AMC support.

Sudan will receive COVID vaccine to cover 20% of the population through the COVAX facilities, in addition to some bilateral agreement of donation and some procurement. up to date Sudan received 8282000 doses of AstraZeneca through the COVAX facility, which has been totally used to vaccinate 820,322 persons. 280000 doses of Sino pharm were donated by China and Emirates. 5.3 M of Janssen were procured with financial support from the world Bank

The objective of this consultancy is technically supporting the 18 states in the whole process of COVID vaccines deployment and rollout and strengthening routine immunization through recruitment of 18 national consultants (one per state)

1.Work to be performed

Output 1: Support and coordinate with state team for the implementation of COVID 19 vaccination activities, Surveillance and routine immunization and risk communication

Deliverable 1.1: Monitoring and updating COVID 19 vaccination micro- plan for the state including routine immunization and coverage at state and locality level

Deliverable 1.2: Review country specificities and ensure COVID 19 effective vaccine management requirements, good capacity and follow-up of guidelines are in place.

Deliverable 1.3: Support preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of COVID 19 vaccination.

Deliverable 1.4: Reviewing COVID 19 vaccination and Routine Immunization (RI) coverage for special, border groups and areas of population, refugees, nomads, identify low performing localities and zero dose children to support review and update EPI micro-plans to cover them.

Deliverable 1.5: Support SMOH to strengthen the COVID 19 surveillance to ensure robust system in place, for measuring the impact of vaccination

Deliverable 1.6: Conduct a pilot formal training on the COVID 19 vaccination process (Surveillance and vaccines management for the COVID 19 vaccines) including presenting the adapted guidelines and SOPs at state and locality levels and support capacity building

1. Specific requirements

- Qualifications required: 

• Essential:  University degree in degree in Medicine, Public Health, Health Services Planning or equivalent relevant discipline.

- Experience required: 5 years of experience in EPI programme management, planning, and vaccine introduction process

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Aware of country context and profile
• EPI Expert, COVID and AEFI surveillance
• Good and organized writing skills

    - Language requirements:

Languages and level required (Read - Write - Speak / Expert or Intermediate)

Medical clearance

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

Interested candidates are kindly advised to send their up to date PHF/CV indicating in the email subject the position applying for and the prefered duty station to emacosudhr@who.int no later than Monday 18th Apr 2022 at 3:00PM.