Consultancy Opportunity: Technical Officer, Joint Allocation Taskforce - Dose Sharing

Job Description

1. Background of the team and purpose of the role

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.

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.

2. Description of Services:

The Technical Officer will be responsible for managing the process of vaccine donation allocations. He/she will own the analyses that determine which recipient countries should be prioritised for doses and will coordinate across COVAX teams to collect data inputs and verify allocation outputs.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Specific duties include:

• Ensuring quality and accuracy of data inputs for the Allocation model: Work with partners and internal teams to establish appropriate information sharing for the allocation model and support the data collection process.
• Identify key issues for decision, those with critical interdependencies across the partner organisations; distil the key questions, conduct original analysis to assist problem solving and develop data models and options for resolution.
• 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.
• Enhance data management practices and tools ensuring consistent maintenance, storage, usage and accessibility of data, as well as data integrity and protection across all COVAX partners. As part of this management of sensitive and confidential data.
• Lead data sharing efforts on Allocation with the wider Office of the COVAX Facility and manage the data relationship with the Country Collaboration Portal, Deals, Dose Sharing and other internal teams.
• Contribute to Allocation Mechanism design particularly in relation to dose-sharing, 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.

· Assist in the preparation of analyses and data models to aid in high-level decision making for key governance meetings, ensuring collection of data inputs and assumptions from different organizations / stakeholders.

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.

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

4. Qualifications and work experience required:

Academic

• University degree in public health, health economics, development, mathematics, statistics, international affairs (with experience in international development) or related field, or other relevant qualification.

Work Experience

• 5+ years of relevant experience in analytics-related roles, data visualisations, business intelligence, and/or equivalent.
• 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

• Highly developed analytical skills, and ability to assess and interpret quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources with confidence.
• Analytics focus (strong excel and quants analysis), ability to move from data to insights, and ability to formulate succinct data-driven recommendations.
• A track record in producing high quality work on a variety of issues in a fast-paced dynamic environment and making effective, timely decisions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; with demonstrated ability to deliver high quality work independently within tight deadlines.
• 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;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds.
• Ability to adapt and work within a multicultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams.

Note: short-listed candidates may be asked to complete a timed test to demonstrate their data management, analysis and communication skills.

Languages:

• Written and spoken fluency in English.
• Fluency in French or another UN language is considered an asset.

5. Duration of Assignment: as soon as possible through to end December 2022.

6. 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.

If you wish to apply, please visit our Careers webpage and apply by sending your application to procurement@gavi.org with the title 191-2021-GAVI-RFQ - Technical Officer, Joint Allocation Taskforce - Dose Sharing before the closing date of 1 December 2021.

About the Organization

1. Background and Introduction

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership committed to saving children's lives and protecting people's health by increasing equitable use of vaccines in lower-income countries. The Vaccine Alliance brings together implementing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. Gavi uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and adequate supply of quality vaccines. Since 2000, Gavi has contributed to the immunisation of more than 888 million children and the prevention of more than 15 million future deaths.

The COVAX Facility (“COVAX”) provides a global solution to the equitable distribution of vaccines to the 190 participating countries and economies. The COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) is an innovative financing instrument that supports the participation of the 92 low and lower-middle income economies in COVAX. Self-financing participants (SFPs) have entered COVAX either as Optional (having the possibility to opt-out of a particular vaccine) or Committed Purchasers. Guided by the WHO fair allocation framework, COVAX will equitably distribute doses to help protect the most at-risk groups. Gavi is working with Alliance partners UNICEF and WHO to ensure that the infrastructure is in place, and the technical support available, for COVID-19 vaccines to be safely delivered to all those who need them.

More information