Health Care, Community Service

ABH Partners PLC

Introduction

Founded in 2007, ABH Partners PLC is a leading consultancy and human resources sourcing management firm in Ethiopia with over eleven years of experience in supporting the implementation of development programs and projects. ABH exists to fuel synergistic societal growth by harnessing local knowledge and international standard. Dedicated to the betterment of societal development, technical assistance and knowledge management, ABH has gained credibility and industry experience in the development sector in general and the public health sphere of Ethiopia in particular. ABH focuses on knowledge management as the enabler and cross-cutting theme across its four major service lines or core competencies: Consultancy, Survey Management, Training and Implementation of projects and programs.

Purpose: To provide technical assistance on COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring, in the ongoing and routine vaccine ovigilance activities, and to support the everyday management and implementation of robust vaccine pharmacovigilance system and strengthen functional AEFI surveillance system in the country.

Location: Addis Ababa: regional and zonal level

Duration: 12 months (1st July 2022 to 30 June 2023) with possibility of extension based on the satisfactory and above performance

No.of consultant: 03

Start Date: July 2022

Reporting to: Product Safety Directorate, EFDA and UNICEF

Project and activity codes: 001/002

Background:

World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, WHO’s highest level of urgency. On 11 March, WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 could be characterized as a pandemic. On March 13, 2020 the first confirmed COVID-19 case was declared by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) is the National Regulatory Authority responsible to protect and promote the public health by ensuring that medicinal products (pharmaceuticals, biologicals including vaccines, blood products and other biological) are of acceptable quality, safety and efficacy, are manufactured, distributed and uses in ways which ensure their quality until they reach the patient/consumer/, and their commercial promotion is accurate.

The Authority is also responsible for safety of food supply, cosmetics, Dietary supplements, safety, Quality and effectiveness of medical products and public health aspects of tobacco products. To carry out its responsibility of ensuring the Quality, safety, and effectiveness of EFDA regulated medical products; the Authority Organizes itself in different regulatory functions.

One of the Authority’ s highest priorities is ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of Medicines, Biological products and vaccines in general and COVID-19 vaccines safety monitoring. AEFI surveillance system focuses on vaccine safety, and it utilizes tools such as guidelines and procedures geared to assure public health protection using vaccines with proven safety profile and ensure quality. The current system for monitoring drug safety (pham1acovigilance) is being coordinated by the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) under Product Safety Directorate.

Therefore, the technical assistance for COVID-19 Vaccine safety monitoring and Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) Surveillance will responsible and cover the various activities and deliverables within the introduction of COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring, in the ongoing and routine vaccinovigilance activities, and to support the everyday management and implementation of robust vaccine pharmacovigilance system and strengthen functional AEFI surveillance system in the assigned regions and zones.

Purpose of the position:

To provide technical assistance on COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring, in the ongoing and routine vaccinovigilance activities, and to support the everyday management and implementation of robust vaccine pharmacovigilance system and strengthen functional AEFI surveillance system in the assigned regions and zones.

Specific Tasks:

•          Collect AEFI reports and other COVID-19 vaccine safety reports from consumers and HCPs

•         Coordinate and support the catchment health facilities HCPs for reporting of AEFIs and other covid-19 vaccine safety related events.

•         Coordinate advocacy, training on AEFI surveillance system to healthcare providers and immunization/health stakeholders.

•         Provide training on AEFI and COVID-19 safety issues for HCPs.

•         Coordinate the investigation process of serious Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and other eligible cases for investigation.

•         Participate in AEFI investigation with the AEFI team of regional EFDA.

•         Prepare AEFI report.

•         Ensure the availability of AEFI tools in all health facilities and vaccination site.

•         Create communication platform with various vaccine pharmacovigilance stakeholders.

•         Create and implement proper communication channels linking vaccinators, regional health bureau, EFDA and Ministry of Health for receiving AEFI repo1is from health facilities to regional/zonal level.

•         Maintain Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) reports and other record and database.

•         Conduct regular supervision and follow up of immunization sites.

•         Participate in active vaccine pharmacovigilance surveillance activities identified by the authority.

•         Prepare and disseminate vaccine pharmacovigilance communication tools such as regular newsletters, bulletins, breachers, letter to healthcare professionals, media communication.

•         Coordinate implementation of the regional/zonal pharmacovigilance road map.

•         Participate in the development activities of vaccine pharmacovigilance directives, guidelines, SOPs, and tools.

•         Coordinate the identification, assessment and management of any risks associated with vaccines.

•         Conduct other activities order by the regional pharmacovigilance center.

Reporting:

The Technical Assistance for COVID-19 Vaccine safety monitoring and Adverse Event Following immunization (AEFI) Surveillance will be assigned in regional/zonal EFDA office and will be reporting to the pharmacovigilance and clinical trial team under the product safety directorate of regional EFDA. In addition, the technical assistance should have smooth technical communication and relation with RHB and regional/zonal EPI program.

Expected Deliverables and Time frame:

Payment Modality & schedule:

The fees for this contract shall paid on monthly basis based on the submission of monthly reports against the deliverables indicated above.

Expected educational background and experience:

·         University Degree in pharmacy, medicine, nurse, or health officer with a minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience who are interested to work at regional and city administration levels.

·         Having basic/advanced Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance or Vaccine Pharmacovigilance/General Pharmacovigilance training in the last two years is a must.

·         Work experience in regulatory areas or Pharmacovigilance is an advantage.

Core competencies:

·         Ability to analyze good vaccine pharmacovigilance or AEFI surveillance requirements

·         Strong analytical skills

·         Promotes knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office

·         In-depth knowledge and ability to advocate and provide pharmacovigilance activities

·         Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas,

·         Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback

·         Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

·         Ability to work in multicultural and stressful situation.

·         Ability to work in team and independently.

·         Excellent language skill (spoken and written) in English.

·         Excellent skills in basic Microsoft office.

Note:

• The consultants will be based at city/regional/zonal EFDA level
• The consultant will not be provided lodging and/or meals
• The consultai1t will use his/her own materials, i.e., computer/laptop, phone etc.
• For the duty travel, the consultant will be provided rented car by HR firm and DSA as per the guideline
• The consultant will be paid monthly by HR firm upon completion of deliverables as indicated on this TOR and approved by the supervisor

Policy both parties should be aware of:

Ø  ABH Partners Plc will manage all the administrative issues and aspects based on HR’ policies and procedures.

Ø  All remuneration must be within the contract agreement through the ABH Partners Plc.

Ø  No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both ABH Partners Plc and the consultant.

Ø  Travel will be facilitated and managed by the ABH Partners PLc in agreement with UNICEF.

Ø  Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.

Lien