Focal Point for Cold Chain
Expanded Program for Immunization
Terms of Reference

Background:
A functional cold chain (CC) is critical to ensure that vaccines arrive at vaccination sites on time, in sufficient quantity, and in potent condition to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Currently, the cold chain in Haiti is not capable of ensuring adequate vaccine management and storage. The operational staff for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) (PEV in French) has not received adequate training in the use of the software for vaccine management. Cold storage space is not adequate due to depots that are small and poorly organized, and outdated equipment requiring costly, flammable, and unreliable fuel. Moreover, the present infrastructure is not able to maintain and repair the equipment. If this situation is not improved to ensure proper storage of the traditional vaccines in Haiti’s immunization schedule, the successful introduction of new vaccines (such as pentavalent vaccine, introduced in 2012, and vaccines against rotavirus and pneumococcal disease planned in 2013 and 2014, respectively) will be threatened. Improvements are urgently needed to protect the investment in new and traditional EPI vaccines.
To address these challenges, the Haiti PEV together with international partners including PAHO, the Tripartite Cooperation (Brazil, Cuba, Haiti), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and in conjunction with broader supply chain strengthening, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), established a long term plan to modernize vaccine management and the cold chain. PAHO has introduced a software to document and report data on vaccination and maintain a cold chain inventory. But trainings and supportive supervision are needed to realize the benefits of this system. MSPP and the partners are committed to the gradual transition to solar energy for all vaccine storage in the country, and to construct new vaccine depots at the central and intermediate levels. In 2012, the transition to solar technology started when the first batch of solar refrigerators arrived. However, due to technical and management challenges, only 153 (20%) of the total number of refrigerators needed have been installed and, of these, only 51 (33%) have been shown to maintain proper temperatures for vaccine storage. Construction of new depots should start at the end of 2013 and continue into 2014.
Several partners plan to construct new vaccine depots. However, coordination among partners, critical to ensure that the planned space for DPEV is adequate and to prevent redundancies, has been lacking.
Although the Haiti PEV is just now converting to the use of solar powered cold storage equipment, other health-related entities in Haiti have established solar installations that currently power lights, X-rays machines, and other equipment. In some cases, there is an excess of power. Since some of these installations are in health facilities that provide immunizations, there are opportunities for synergy between PEV and non-governmental organizations. Theft of solar panels has been documented in Haiti and PEV should foster community ownership and explore methods for community involvement and benefit.
To protect, maximize, and coordinate the substantial investment of the partners and to ensure that Haitians benefit from these improvements, there is a critical need within PEV for an expert in vaccine management, cold chain, and in particular, solar technology as it relates to vaccine cold storage.

Purpose of the Position
A Focal Point for CC will provide advice, strategic vision, and assistance to the PEV Director for the purpose of putting in place and optimizing the planned improvements in cold chain and of ensuring coordination with improvements being made in vaccine management.

Key responsibilities:
1. Monitor the installation and functioning of the solar refrigerators at the intermediate and peripheral levels by liaising with international partners and donors for the cold chain. Actively seek ways to maintain momentum on the plan.
2. Keep PEV Director abreast of progress on the planned improvements. Advise the Director of PEV on further development of the solar cold chain for vaccine management, with a priority on providing an effective solar cold chain and achieving value for money, creating synergies and integration with other solar installations, creating community support for solar to minimize theft and maximize community benefits from solar energy.
3. Serve as the designated PEV lead for the Cold Chain Work Group (CCWG) including setting the agenda, facilitating the meeting, ensuring the preparation and prompt circulation of a summary (with clear action points, person responsible, and timeline) of each meeting, and actively following up with partners between meetings to monitor action points and ensure synergy among partners’ cold chain efforts.
4. Through the CCWG, coordinate partners planning to construct new vaccine depots to ensure the planned space for DPEV is adequate and meets standards for vaccine storage, to promote synergies and prevent redundancies, to facilitate the start of construction.
5. Responsible for assessing and organizing training for PEV staff who are users of solar equipment and for PEV staff who are responsible for maintenance and repair of solar equipment with the aim of establishing a work force that is competent in the use and maintenance of the equipment.
6. Responsible for ensuring that maintenance and repair of solar equipment for vaccine cold storage is performed in a timely manner and is documented.
7. Advise the PEV Director and Cold Chain and Logistics Manager on improvements to vaccine management.
8. Identify and document all solar installations in Haiti (PEV and non-PEV) for the purpose of identifying areas for synergies and opportunities to integrate power for cold chain equipment with existing sources to ensure that no solar energy goes unused. Integrate all data on power sources into the database of cold chain equipment.
9. Train a designated member of the national PEV staff to assume the role as focal point for solar cold chain upon the end of this position.
10. Participate in the development and review of the Operational Plan for Routine Immunization; provide advice on and ensure implementation of activities related to the cold chain, notably solar.


Supervision, reporting, collaboration:
1. The focal point will report to the Director of PEV and will participate in supervisory missions in collaboration with those responsible.
2. Share quarterly reports with Director of PEV who should forward to partners (CDC GID, PAHO Immunization Focal Point, UNICEF Immunization Focal Point, GAVI). The reports should include the status of progress on
a. Vaccine management and the use of vaccine management in the departments
b. Construction of new EPI depots
c. Installation and functionality of solar refrigerators at all levels
3. Collaborate with all immunization partners (CDC, PAHO, UNICEF, Brazil, GAVI)
4. Participate in conference calls with immunization partners as necessary.

Qualifications:
• University Degree in physical sciences or engineering/advanced degree in a related area of study. Equivalent educational qualification in relevant areas (transport or logistics operations/management, supply management, etc.). A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Experience at national level providing technical support in the area of vaccine cold chain, vaccine management, immunization supply chain management, logistics, and similar activities. Experience and expertise in the repair, maintenance, and management of solar powered equipment for vaccine cold storage.
• Fluency in French and English. Fluency in Creole is desired.

Other details:
1. Travel will be required to monitor, assess cold chain at all levels. Contract should include funds for monthly travel within Haiti.
2. Office space will be provided by DPEV
3. CDC will furnish a computer