OverviewInternational Individual Consultancy to conduct causality analysis of sub-optimal immunization coverage in Montenegro and support MoH with strategic planningApply now Job no: 591575Contract type: ConsultantDuty Station: PodgoricaLevel: ConsultancyLocation: MontenegroCategories: Health, Early Childhood DevelopmentFor every child, the best start to life.Immunization remains a key public health priority in Montenegro; however, coverage rates have declined in recent years, particularly for the first dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR1). A Root Cause Analysis (RCA) conducted in 2020 identified systemic bottlenecks, including service delivery gaps and vaccine hesitancy. Following the analysis, a number of initiatives were implemented to address these challenges and strengthen the immunization system. These efforts have been consolidated and further advanced through the Programme of Measures for Immunization 2026–2028, which aims to improve coverage, equity, and public confidence in vaccination.How you can make a differenceThis consultancy will help to update the 2020 RCA by reviewing critical bottlenecks and root causes of low routine immunization coverage at subnational level in Montenegro and develop updated targeted action plans (including system-specific fixes) to increase and maintain high immunization coverage to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. The plans should also feed into the implementation of the National Programme of Measures for Immunization 2026-2028. The assignment will include a combination of desk review, interviews and focus group discussions at local and national level, as well as workshops at subnational and national level to identify and discuss main bottlenecks/root causes analysis of low immunization coverage at subnational level from both supply and demand, and consolidate at national level. To implement this task, UNICEF Montenegro seeks to identify an international consultant that should work under the supervision of the Early Childhood Development Officer and carry out the specific tasks described in detail in the Work Assignment Overview section below. All deliverables should be produced in either local or English language and UNICEF will ensure translation when required.Work Assignments OverviewTasks/MilestoneDeliverables/OutputsTimelineDevelop inception report based on review of National Programme of Measures, previous RCA and other relevant documentsInception report with desk review of relevant immunization-related documents and timeline of field mission8 May 2026Conduct root cause analysis in 3 low-performing municipalities in Montenegro as selected in consultation with MoHReport on Root Cause Analysis in 3 selected low-performing municipalities in Montenegro29 May 2026Develop costed action plan to improve routine immunization coverage in three selected municipalities, reviewed and cleared by UNICEF and MoHCosted action plans to improve routine immunization coverage in three selected municipalitiesFacilitate two-day workshop for remaining 15 municipalities to develop costed plansTwo-day workshop for remaining municipalities to develop costed plansDevelop final reportFinal report with recommendations for both local and national level to improve routine immunization coverageQualificationsTo qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…Education:Master\'s degree in Medicine, Public Health, Epidemiology or Health Management and Administration. Also, Economics, Legal studies, Social sciences, or related relevant sciences.Experience:Minimum 8 years of experience in the area of public healthProven expertise in undertaking root cause/bottleneck analysis in the area of immunizationProven experience in development of strategic documents, action/operational plans in the area of immunizationWorking experience in the Europe & Central Asia region required, experience in Montenegro an advantageExperience in designing and facilitating workshopsPrevious work experience with UNICEF or another international organization will be an advantage.Language:Knowledge of either English or Montenegrin language (both spoken and written) while knowledge of other languages in official use in Montenegro will be considered as an asset.Other:Excellent writing skills, presentation skills, strong strategic and analytical skillsAbility to work with different stakeholders and good networking skills. Demonstrates tact and high sense of responsibility and discretion.Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards.Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.The payments will be made upon successful completion of the deliverables and submission of invoices, as follows:1st tranche will be paid upon successful submission of deliverables 1-2.2nd tranche will be paid upon successful submission of the remaining deliverables 3-5.UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, outputs are incomplete, or deadlines are missed.Upon conducting the recruitment process and prior to the signing of the contract, the consultant will be required to complete the following online UNICEF courses. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract.Ethics and Integrity at UNICEFPrevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of AuthorityPrevention of Sexual Exploitation AbuseBefore commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF, the Consultants and Individual Contractors must complete a course on General Information Security Awareness. In addition, any consultant or individual contractor who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract:General Information Security Awareness Course (only for consultants/individual contractors with a UNICEF email address)The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link: AGORA: Log in to the site (unicef.org). Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.Selection method:All applicants will be screened against qualifications and requirements. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be evaluated based on the criteria below. The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria:A) Technical criteria – Technical evaluation process / Maximum points: 701. Interview - 70% of total evaluationEducation: 10Sample of a legal report or piece of legislation that the candidate authored: 30Other: 10Only candidates who obtain at least 70% of points from the technical part will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.B) Financial criteria – evaluation of financial proposal - Maximum points: 30The applicants are requested to submit their financial proposal consisting of a professional fee for the services to be provided, including lump sum daily professional fee and travel costs as applicable. Travel costs and accommodation expenses will be based on actual expenses. Financial scores will be calculated using the formula (lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30).Remarks:UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates to apply regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities.We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application if you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to advance to the next stage.Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” and will not be entitled to benefits provided to staff. Their conditions of service are governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties. The selected candidate is responsible to ensure that visa (if applicable) and health insurance requirements are valid for the entire contract period. Selected candidates may be required to be fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) as per WHO guidelines, except for remote work or non-interaction scenarios with UNICEF premises or communities.Advertised: 10 Mar 2026 Central European Standard TimeDeadline: 24 Mar 2026 Central European Standard Time
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