Vaccine Logistics and Cold Chain Technical Assistant, DOS LEAP Global - Niger

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LEAP Program Description

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) – a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC and Dexis Consulting Group – is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global), a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. As of July 1, 2025, LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries.

The intervention of this project is to hire and embed technical expert advisors and subject matter experts within government entities. By directly embedding the technical expertise within the national programs, LEAP provides long-term, sustainable lifesaving support to empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios and improve coordination between the U.S. Government and the host country.

About the Position

Niger submitted a request to Gavi for support in optimizing Cold Chain Equipment (CCEOP). This submission includes a renewal and equipment allocation plan at the operational level over five years, from 2017 to 2021.

With UNICEF’s support, Niger updated the inventory of cold chain equipment in May 2017. The update revealed gaps in geographic coverage, storage capacity, and conservation capacity both at district levels and service delivery points, including Integrated Health Centers (CSI) and health posts (HP). The platform will enable the country to improve its supply chain and cold chain by increasing coverage with certified refrigerators and contribute to efforts to strengthen vaccination coverage and equity.

The Directorate of Immunization (DI) is responsible for implementing the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) across its five components. DI must guarantee the supply and quality of vaccines up to the last mile of the supply chain, to ensure continuity of vaccination services. Vaccines are biological products requiring the availability and functionality of cold chain equipment (CCE) to ensure their effectiveness. Niger has adopted a policy promoting the use of new technologies, including solar-powered refrigerators, refrigerators with cooling jackets, and freezers for which this CCEOP support request was submitted to Gavi in October 2016.

The updated inventory documented that at the service delivery level, 3,767 structures were recorded, including 1,361 Integrated Health Centers (CSI) and 2,409 other service delivery structures (health posts, clinics, and hospitals) that provide vaccination services. Among these structures, 2,491 (66%) have equipment, including 1,322 CSIs (35%) and 1,169 other structures (31%). Furthermore, a total of 1,279 structures (34%) has no cold chain equipment (refrigerator), including 39 CSIs (1%) and 1,240 other structures (33%).

Of the total 4,046 cold chain equipment units:

2,899 (72%) are solar refrigerators,

950 (23%) are electric

197 (5%) are gas-powered.

Among these, 279 units (7%) must be discarded due to obsolescence or irreparable complex failures.

In implementing this project, UNICEF plays an important role in managing procurement, from ordering to installation of equipment at districts and CSIs. UNICEF, through its supply center, handles procurement and has contracted two manufacturers (represented in Niger by two service providers), to implement the equipment operational deployment plan submitted by DI.

To support this effort, the U.S. State Department, through the LEAP project, is providing the Directorate of Immunization with a National Technical Assistant (TA) to help implement the CCEOP2 operational deployment plan, oversee installation and user training, support GEV preparation, and monitor vaccine management for a period of at least one year. The Advisor will support the Immunization Directorate in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives.

Responsibilities

General Objective

The Technical Assistant will support implementation of CCEOP2, monitoring of the vaccine supply chain, and the cold chain.

Specific Objectives

Support deployment monitoring, installation, and user training for cold chain equipment

Monitor the functioning of installed cold chain equipment

Support preparation for the 2026 Effective Vaccine Management (EVM/GEV)

Assist in monitoring the functioning of installed cold chain equipment.

Specific Activities

Monitor the installation of cold chain equipment based on the CCEOP2 deployment plan

Regularly update the database of installed cold chain equipment

Support regions in collecting and transmitting delivery notes and installation reports for refrigerators

Monitor activities related to CCEOP implementation through national and regional logistics committees

Monitor user training on equipment carried out by service providers

Regularly update any changes in installation sites according to the deviation plan

Continuously update the inventory of cold chain equipment as installations progress

Support DI in preparation for the 2026 EVM assessment.

Additional tasks include:

Supervise and monitor vaccine and cold chain management at regional, district, and service delivery points.

Support Regional Immunization Coordinators in vaccine stock management tool (SMT) reporting, mSupply data sharing, and vaccine/intrant inventory

Support logistical activities of vaccination campaigns

Provide monthly support for physical vaccine inventories at regional stores and share data with the national logistics committee.

Expected Results / Deliverables

Deliverable 1 : Operational deployment plan for CCEOP2 equipment for all regions, to be submitted in the first month, along with monthly reports

Deliverable 2 : Updated inventory of cold chain equipment to be submitted in the third month, plus monthly reports

Deliverable 3 : Monthly inventory of vaccines and consumables at the warehouse

Deliverable 4 : Draft report on GEV preparation.

REPORTING :

The Technical Assistant will work under the supervision of the Head of the Logistics Division of the Directorate of Immunizations, in close collaboration with the heads of the vaccine management and supply unit and cold chain logistics unit. The Technical Assistant will provide a detailed monthly report to the U.S. Department of State submitted by the 5th day of the following month. Additionally, the Advisor will submit a weekly progress report to U.S. Embassy/Department of State (and participate in weekly calls) to include a short paragraph about main successes for that week.

Travel

The TA will conduct field visits to carry out assigned activities.

Duty Station

The TA will be based at the Directorate of Immunization and will work under the Logistics and Supply Division for data collection from regions.

Qualifications

At least a Bachelor's degree (BAC+3) in Health Logistics, General Logistics, Industrial Refrigeration, or related fields

Minimum 2 years of professional experience in cold chain and vaccine supply chain management

Good knowledge of cold chain and vaccine management

Must be a Nigerien national

Ability to maintain effective working relationships and teamwork

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing

Strong communication, analytical, and negotiation sk