To apply for the consultancy, please send your CV and motivational letter in English language by email to eurowhokgz@who.int before 23:59 Bishkek time on 19 February 2024.

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected healthcare access around the world, with 15 million excess deaths attributed to its direct and indirect effects. Over 90% of countries that provide health systems information to the World Health Organization (WHO) reported disruptions to essential healthcare programs at the end of 2021.

Childhood immunization prevents the spread of infectious diseases, reducing associated morbidity and mortality. By preventing disease episodes during the first 1000 days of life – a crucial developmental phase for young children – immunization can also improve cognitive, education, and economic outcomes in later life.

Widespread global disruption in routine children immunization has impacted majority of regions and countries, especially in the initial pandemic phases. While data indicate subsequent recovery in immunization rates, a substantial number of vulnerable people remain unvaccinated. The downstream impact may be even greater in resource limited settings and economically poorer populations, and consequently here are growing concerns around the resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases.

A local consultant will provide support to Republican Center of Immunoprophillaxis (RCI) and the Ministry of Health of KR on coordination of routine immunization activities, regular communications with Gavi and other development partners operating in Kyrgyzstan.

Overall objective is to provide support to increase the capacity of specialists of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic (MoH KR) in routine immunization.

The work of the Consultant will be to:

• Providing comprehensive support in enhancing the capacity of specialists from the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic in the development of country applications of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI);
• Support in identifying and developing priority GAVI country applications;
• Support in improving performance indicators and efficiency in the use of GAVI resources;
• Support in coordinating activities to improve the effectiveness of the partnership between the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic and Gavi;
• Support in identifying and prioritizing intermediate results in increasing the capacity of specialists of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic;
• Support in the analysis and evaluation of the results of increasing the potential of specialists of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic;
• Support effective communication between the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic and GAVI (and other interested institutions, if required).
• Providing technical assistance in developing orders of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Travel is not required.

Contract duration 1 March 2024 – 31 December 2024

Qualifications required:

Essential: University degree in business management/law

Experience required:

• At least 2 years’ experience in public health, VPD prevention and control.
• Very good understanding of the National immunization programme operation.
• Experience in coordination, collaboration and facilitation of capacity building activities.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and sensitivity to political and cultural issues
• Proven ability to work in multisectoral teams
• Proven ability to meet deadlines

Language requirements:

• Working knowledge of English;
• Excellent knowledge of Russian;
• Excellent knowledge of Kyrgyz

To apply for the consultancy, please send your CV and motivational letter in English language by email to eurowhokgz@who.int before 23:59 Bishkek time on 19 February 2024.