Purpose of the Consultancy
The primary objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support to Provincial Headquarter EPI Balochistan by developing GIS based micro plans through demarcation of Union Councils, vaccinators boundaries and target communities with their population.
EPI program Balochistan intends to improve the efficiency of immunization program by GIS based demarcation of UCs and vaccinators catchment area as well digitization of micro plans and integration with NEIR and EPI MIS. This advanced technology-based intervention aims to improve the performance of vaccination teams by leveraging geospatial technologies and data visualization techniques.
Background
Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan by area, faces persistent challenges in health service delivery, particularly in immunization and child health. Low population density, geographical inaccessibility, weak health infrastructure, and socio-cultural barriers have contributed to low immunization coverage and inequitable access to immunization services.
EPI program is developing paper based micro plans and maps for many years to reach each community for delivering vaccination services. But there are many challenges in the operationalization of these micro plans including ambiguity of boundaries between different union councils and vaccinators, failure to locate each community and missing the hard-to-reach areas.
Provincial EPI Balochistan has requested support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to hire a consulting firm to provide technical support for EPI program in GIS mapping and microplanning for routine immunization to improve service delivery, efficiency, equity and monitoring. GIS mapping will allow us to visualize and analyze the geographic distribution of target populations. We can easily identify underserved or zero-dose areas and adjust plans to reach them. It will also help in identifying remote or geographically isolated communities that may be missing in traditional plans.
Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date: To start as soon as possible End date: 12 months duration
Work to be performed
Output 1: Demarcation of union council and vaccinators catchment area
Deliverable 1.1: Review the existing EPI union councils map and identify the boundaries with neighbouring union councils
Deliverable 1.2: Delineate the catchment area boundaries between vaccinators as well as EPI sites
Deliverable 1.3: Update catchment area maps with boundaries & important landmarks on GIS maps
Output 2: Develop digitalized micro plans
Deliverable 2.1: Convert paper based micro plans into digital GIS layers with support of EPI technical team
Deliverable 2.2: Develop detailed mohalla/village level targets with geolocation, outreach sites and vaccinators coverage data
Deliverable 2.3: Digitalize micro plans to highlight all high risk and hard to reach areas
Output 3: Develop advanced geospatial analysis and data visualization
Deliverable 3.1: Provide technical input and support to the development of interface with EPI MIS and NEIR for improved data visualization
Deliverable 3.2: Develop and generate dashboard with geospatial data analysis and vaccinators performance tracker
Deliverable 3.3: Conduct functional integration of micro plans with NEIR polygons and EPI MIS having visual indicators for coverage and surveillance data
Deliverable 3.4: Draft training material and reporting tools on progress of the initiative
Deliverable 3.5: Conduct briefings to the EPI technical team for continuity of operation
Output 4: Submit the consultancy report
Deliverable 4.1: Timely submission of required progress reports including final consultancy report
Technical Supervision
The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:
Responsible Officer: Team Lead – EPI
Manager: WHO Country Representative – Pakistan
Specific requirements
Qualifications required:
University degree in geography, or GIS, or related field is essential. Diploma or certificate in GIS or related area is an asset.
Experience required:
At least two years of experience in successful development of GIS based, digitized micro plans for immunization program. Ability to develop geospatial analysis tools with advance analytical and visualization features.
Desirable: Field experience of successful implementation of same projects in areas with peculiar challenges like in Balochistan.
Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
- Proficient in MS Office tools
- GIS tools such as ArcGIS, QGIS
- Strong analytical skills to interpret complex spatial data and produce actionable insights.
- Good communication skills
Language requirements:
Excellent in English and local language (Urdu).
Place of assignment
Quetta, Balochistan
Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
Travel
Consultant is expected to pay local field visits to different districts, and it will be covered on case by case.
All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.
Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.
