Background

Routine immunisation (RI) against vaccine preventable diseases (e.g. measles, polio, TB, tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) is one of the most cost effective interventions for reducing childhood illness and mortality. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is an ambitious programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) that aims to reduce morbidity and mortality due to vaccine preventable diseases (VPD). Joint Review Missions and Common Review Missions organized by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on a regular basis) have noted that whilst UIP performance in India has improved overtime, there still remain a number of key constraints impacting immunization coverage in the country. Further, there are significant inequities in vaccination coverage in different states based on various factors related to individual (gender, birth order), family area (area of residence, wealth, and parental education), demography (religion, caste) and the society (access to health care, community literacy level) characteristics.

Some of the main constraints currently preventing India from achieving a quality immunization programme with universally high coverage rates relate to Cold Chain and Vaccine Logistics Management. There is limited cold chain infrastructure and capacity in many states – even for routine UIP vaccines. Systematic efforts to identify gaps and address issues in cold chain and VLM have been conducted in recent years.  Key constraints identified include:  inadequate and poor infrastructure, HR issues including technical capacities; weak monitoring and MIS issues; and Vaccine management. These constraints have led to high breakdown rate of equipment, overstocking and stock outs, inadequate monitoring and supervision, poor management thus hampering improved vaccine coverage.

The GAVI Alliance-funded Health System Strengthening (HSS) programme is one of the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to improve the quality and level of immunization coverage in India.

UNDP under the GAVI HSS grant 2014-2016 will address some of the above mentioned issues by the development of an integrated and innovative solution that aims to provide real time information of vaccines stocks at the various level of the Routine Immunization Programme as well as have real time information on the temperature at the various levels of storage in three state of the country namely Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Moreover, UNDP will strengthen the evidence base for improved policy-making on programmatic areas through a well developed and implemented national M&E plan and research framework.

For the specific purpose above UNDP intends to recruit the Project Officer (IT) to be based at New Delhi. The position will require extensive travel to the designated districts. The Project Officer (IT) will work under the direct supervision of Senior National Project Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Officer (IT) will be responsible for the following tasks: 

  • Responsible of coordinating with implementing partner for the development and deployment of the Electronic Intelligence Network; (eVIN) solution (for web application and java, android based mobile applications), including;
  • Follow-up with implementing partners for resolution of issues, eradicating bugs;
  • Tracking and facilitating upgradation of the IT solution as and when required;
  • Manage and track data and ensure data security;
  • Coordinate with implementation partners for performance guarantee;
  • Ensure uptime of the system;
  • Provide technical inputs during User Training (Train the Trainers);
  • Software Documentation;
  • Ensuring smooth transfer of eVIN solution to MoHFW data centre.

Programme Planning and Implementation:

Provides advice and support to;

  • The development and implementation of the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) that includes vaccine logistics and cold chain management on one single information system platform in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan;
  • Systematic and phased scale up of a system for SMS-enabled real time Management Information system (MIS) for cold chain and vaccine logistics management at the respective district level.

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance to:

  • Partners at the state and district level health vaccine structures to assess and understand the capacity needs and support required for the effective and timely implementation of the eVIN in select states;
  • Based on the assessed needs support in undertaking capacity-building at the district level.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

  • Undertake extensive field visits to monitor the implementation of the system and providing technical inputs to address gaps and bottlenecks;
  • Assist, support and monitor the identified implementing agency in the implementation of the system at the district and sub district level;
  • Document to the eVIN implementation process and analytical learnings from the implementation.

Perform any other tasks assigned from time to time by the Senior National Project Manager.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Innovation:

  • Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
  • Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor.

Results Focus:

  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Contributes to work planning, manages time and resources efficiently;
  • Takes accountability for delivery of agreed targets;
  • Ability to prioritize assignments and requirements, and multitask as needed;
  • Identifies problems and proposes solutions;

Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement:

  • Maintains awareness of new developments in own area of expertise and promotes this knowledge with others who may benefit;
  • Develops an understanding of own strengths and development needs;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Building and Managing Partnerships:

  • Ability to manage stakeholder relationships. Builds positive work relationships of mutual trust and empathy.

Team Working:

  • Contributes to a sense of team spirit and works collaboratively with others by seeking to understand and make best of team members’ diverse ideas, working styles, skills and backgrounds;
  • Demonstrates care and concern for other team members, proactively offering support;
  • Ability to work independently with limited instruction;
  • Aptitude for technical innovations and data analytics.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • Minimum Requirement Post graduation in Computer Sciences /Information Technology/ from a reputed University / Institution.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 3-yearsof professional work in programme management, monitoring, researchand of this period, at least 1 year should be in Routine Immunization programmeincluding the vaccine logistics and cold chain mechanisms;
  • Experience in managing information technology driven projectsis a must;
  • Should have analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills;
  • Experience in managing and scaling large technology driven projects preferably in health sector will be an asset;
  • Experience of working in the State Government or other international development organization will be an asset.

Language:

  • Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is required.

Travel:

  • The position will require extensive travel to the designated districts.

Remuneration package is Rs. 96,008/- per month (taxable). UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance to its employees.