Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Vaccine Logistics Consultant

🎯 Role Definition

As a Vaccine Logistics Consultant, you will be at the forefront of global health, providing pivotal technical expertise to national governments, NGOs, and international health partners. Your mission is to design, implement, and optimize end-to-end vaccine supply chain systems, from international procurement to last-mile delivery. You will be instrumental in ensuring that life-saving vaccines are consistently available, potent, and accessible, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on technical skill, and diplomatic prowess to navigate complex health systems and drive sustainable improvements in immunization programs.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Supply Chain Manager (Pharmaceutical/Healthcare)
Public Health Program Officer (with logistics focus)
Cold Chain Specialist

Advancement To:

Senior Director, Global Health Supply Chain
Head of Cold Chain and Logistics Strategy
Chief Technical Advisor, Immunization

Lateral Moves:

Humanitarian Logistics Manager
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Strategist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide expert technical assistance to Ministries of Health and national immunization programs on the design, implementation, and enhancement of robust end-to-end vaccine supply chain and logistics systems.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of existing immunization supply chain infrastructures, including cold chain equipment (CCE), storage capacity, distribution networks, and waste management systems, to identify critical gaps and formulate evidence-based improvement plans.
Develop and implement detailed strategies for vaccine forecasting, inventory management, and distribution planning to ensure optimal vaccine availability and minimize stockouts or wastage at all levels of the health system.
Lead the strategic planning and operational execution of temperature-sensitive vaccine distribution campaigns, including for routine immunization and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), ensuring strict adherence to cold chain protocols from central stores to the last mile.
Advise on the selection, procurement, installation, and lifecycle management of appropriate cold chain equipment, including solar direct-drive refrigerators, freezers, and remote temperature monitoring devices, in alignment with WHO Performance, Quality and Safety (PQS) standards.
Design and deliver targeted training and capacity-building programs for national and sub-national logistics personnel, healthcare workers, and managers on best practices in vaccine management, cold chain maintenance, and logistics data analysis.
Develop and revise national-level guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and policy documents related to vaccine logistics, cold chain management, and supply chain data visibility.
Support the integration and optimization of Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) to improve data quality, visibility, and use for decision-making in inventory control and forecasting.
Facilitate high-level coordination and collaboration between diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, the World Bank, and other implementing partners, to ensure a harmonized approach to supply chain strengthening.
Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track supply chain performance, such as stock availability, cold chain compliance, and logistics costs, and use this data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Provide technical leadership in the development of long-term strategic plans for supply chain sustainability, including resource mobilization proposals and costed implementation roadmaps.
Analyze and model different supply chain scenarios to inform decisions on network design, optimal storage locations, and distribution routes, balancing cost, speed, and reliability.
Lead post-introduction evaluations for new vaccines, focusing on the supply chain and logistics impact, and provide actionable recommendations for future rollouts.
Establish and oversee effective vaccine waste management systems, ensuring environmentally sound disposal of used sharps, empty vials, and other related materials.
-agencies. - Support countries in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies by developing and testing supply chain contingency and rapid response plans.
Author and contribute to technical reports, case studies, and knowledge management products to document best practices and lessons learned for a global audience.
Guide the integration of vaccine logistics with the broader health commodity supply chain to create efficiencies and build a more resilient, integrated system.
Evaluate the feasibility and guide the implementation of innovative technologies and approaches, such as drone delivery, GPS tracking, and advanced data analytics, to overcome last-mile delivery challenges.
Conduct field supervision and mentorship visits to health facilities and storage depots to provide on-the-job training and ensure compliance with established protocols.
Serve as a primary technical resource for all matters concerning vaccine stock management, including the application of FIFO (First-In, First-Out) and FEFO (First-Expiry, First-Out) principles.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and perform exploratory data analysis to uncover trends and insights in immunization supply chain performance.
Contribute to the organization's global knowledge base and community of practice for supply chain and logistics.
Collaborate with business development units to provide technical input for grant proposals and funding applications.
Mentor junior staff and consultants, fostering a culture of technical excellence and professional growth.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expertise in Cold Chain Management and Temperature Monitoring Technologies
Advanced knowledge of Vaccine and Health Commodity Supply Chain Management
Proficiency with Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) and ERPs (e.g., OpenLMIS, mSupply)
Strong capabilities in Supply Chain Modeling, Forecasting, and Inventory Control Techniques (e.g., FIFO/FEFO)
In-depth understanding of WHO PQS standards for cold chain equipment and devices
Data Analysis and Visualization (using tools like Excel, Power BI, or Tableau)
Experience in developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Knowledge of public health emergency response logistics
Familiarity with the global health architecture, including Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO policies and procedures
Technical proposal and report writing

Soft Skills

Exceptional Cross-Cultural Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Strategic Thinking and Complex Problem-Solving
Training, Mentorship, and Capacity Building
Adaptability and Resilience in challenging environments
Diplomacy and Negotiation
Project Management and Leadership
High degree of self-motivation and ability to work independently

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH), Supply Chain Management, International Development, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management & Logistics
Public Health
International Development
Pharmacy or a related health science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7-10+ years of professional experience in health supply chain management.

Preferred:

Significant experience working in or providing technical support to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Demonstrated experience working with Ministries of Health and international partners such as UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, and the Global Fund.
Direct, hands-on experience managing or advising on national-level immunization supply chains.
Proven track record of designing and conducting training programs for adult learners in diverse cultural contexts.