141-2021-GAVI-RFQ_Technical Officer JAT (COVAX) At GAVI Alliance

1. Background and Introduction

Gavi Alliance’s (“**Gavi**”) mission is to save children’s lives and protect people’s health by increasing access to immunisation in poor countries.

Gavi is a unique organisation that aligns public and private resources in a global effort to create greater access to the benefits of immunisation. It does this with precision and in creative, innovative ways to ensure that donor contributions efficiently save lives and help build self-sufficiency in the world’s poorest communities and regions.

For more information, please visit the Gavi website: http://www.gavi.org/about/mission

2. Background of the team and purpose of the role

COVAX is the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, and it is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), collectively the “COVAX Partners”. More information about this global endeavour and the principles guiding it can be found at www.who.int/initiatives/act-accelerator.

The COVAX Facility sits within the COVAX Pillar and is the global procurement mechanism of COVAX. Guided by a fair allocation framework developed by WHO, the COVAX Facility will equitably distribute doses to help protect the most at-risk groups in all participating countries. More information about the COVAX Facility, the Gavi COVAX AMC (a financing instrument that supports the participation of 92 lower income economies in the COVAX Facility) and the WHO Fair and Equitable Allocation Framework can be found at www.gavi.org/covax-facility, www.gavi.org/gavi-covax-amc, and www.who.int/publications/m/item/fair-allocation-mechanism-for-covid-19-vaccines-through-the-covax-facility.

In the context of limited global supply, an ‘Allocation Mechanism’ is being established to deliver on the Fair Allocation Framework, comprising of an expert Independent Allocation Validation Group (IAVG) and a Joint Allocation Taskforce (JAT). The JAT, comprised of staff from WHO and Gavi, supports the IAVG, and its functions are to:

§ develop Vaccine Allocation Decision (VAD) proposals, based on a data-driven model, for review and validation by the IAVG

§ work with the Office of the COVAX Facility within Gavi to ensure implementation of the validated VAD

§ support the maintenance of the Allocation Model

§ provide secretariat support to the IAVG

§ coordinate and communicate with all COVAX Partners

§ ensure transparency on the Allocation Mechanism and decisions from the IAVG to all COVAX participating countries through the COVAX Facility governance bodies

The main purpose of the IAVG is to validate proposals for Vaccine Allocation Decisions (“VAD proposals”) prepared by the JAT outlining the volumes of vaccines to be allocated to each participant of the COVAX Facility within a given time frame, depending on supply forecasts.

3. Description of Services:**

As a member of the Joint Allocation Taskforce, the Technical Officer will be a key contributor to the Joint Allocation Taskforce by developing Vaccine Allocation Decision (VAD) proposals for validation by the Independent Allocation Validation Group and by working closely with the Office of the COVAX Facility to ensure implementation of the validated proposals.

4. Main Duties & Responsibilities:

The work is fast paced and dynamic. The scope of responsibilities may evolve but will likely include some of the following:

§ Ensuring quality and accuracy of data inputs for the Allocation model: Work with partners to establish appropriate information sharing for the allocation model and support the data collection process.

§ Prepare proposals for Vaccine Allocation Decisions and support validation of these by the IAVG, ensuring appropriate documentation through the process: Review data inputs and model outputs, run Allocation simulations, ensure relevant considerations are factored in and prepare the documentation to support the IAVG’s recommendation and implementation by the Office of the COVAX Facility

§ Support the maintenance of the COVAX Allocation model: work closely with the Algorithm coding team, and WHO’s Allocation Portal staff to support further refinement and update inputs to the Allocation model based on IAVG and other operational adjustments.

§ Lead data sharing efforts on Allocation with the wider Office of the COVAX Facility, and manage the data relationship with the CCP, Deals and Dose Sharing teams.

§ Contribute to Allocation Mechanism design, with a focus on data management and Allocation Portal processes.

§ Support coordination and communication with COVAX partners, including the Procurement Coordinator, and participating countries to ensure excellent communication flows both internally and externally.**

*Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities; other duties may be assigned consistently with the department needs.

5. Location: Gavi Alliance HQ, Geneva, Switzerland or remote (subject to discussion)**

6. Qualifications and work experience required:

Academic:

· Advanced university degree in public health, health economics, development, international affairs (with experience in international development) or related field, or other relevant qualification.

Work experience:

· Minimum of 8 years of professional experience working in a field relevant to global public health;

· Experience managing datasets, analysing and interpreting complex qualitative and quantitative data;

· Significant experience of working in partner engagement and communications and demonstrated ability to build strong and productive relationships with a high degree of discretion and sensitivity, to work with diverse partners, work across institutional boundaries, and enable the utilisation of talent and expertise of team members.

· Experience of working on issues relating to global access to medicines and/or immunization programs in countries an asset.

· Knowledge and / or experience of regulatory, readiness and logistic issues for immunization, particularly in low- and middle-income countries an asset;

· Track record of working effectively with technical and advisory groups and governance bodies an asset.

Skills/Competencies:

· Health or international development technical skills; current knowledge of immunisation or health development issues.

· Highly developed analytical skills, and ability to assess and interpret quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources with confidence.

· Effective written and verbal communication skills in English with demonstrated ability to synthesise complex issues into effective oral and written materials, and attention to detail.

· A track record in producing high quality work on a variety of issues in a fast-paced dynamic environment and making effective, timely decisions.

· Demonstrated ability to build strong and productive relationships with partners, to work across institutional boundaries, and to enable the utilisation of talent and expertise of team members.

· High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity, and an awareness of extreme political sensitivities.

· Ability to adapt and work within a multicultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment;

· Fluency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Languages:

· Written and spoken fluency in English.

· Fluency in French or another UN language is considered an asset.

Contacts:

· Office of the COVAX Facility, Gavi Secretariat.

· WHO, CEPI, COVAX Partners and Gavi Alliance partners.

7. Duration of Assignment: as soon as possible through to the end of 2022.**

8. Selection Process and expected timelines

· Interested parties should respond by completing Annex One and returning their application before midnight on the Closing Date.

· Gavi will shortlist and invite for written tests and/or interviews (1-2 weeks)

· Contract negotiation and signature (1-2 weeks)

We are committed to fostering a just, equitable and diverse culture free from racism and discrimination in which all staff, partners and stakeholders feel empowered, safe and heard.