UNICEF Supply Division is looking for a dedicated Individual Immunization Supply Financing Consultant to be located in Niamey, Niger for the duration of 2 months. Start date is April/May 2017, tentatively.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultancy Title: Immunization Supply Financing Consultant

 

LOCATION/DURATION:

Duration: 2 months

Location: Niamey, Niger

 Start Date: April/May 2017 (tentatively)

Reporting to: Jointly to Finance Specialist, Director's Office / MFSDU, UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen, the Chief Child Survival & Development, UNICEF Niger

 

BACKGROUND:

UNICEF has been assisting Niger in their efforts to ensure timely and uninterrupted supplies of vaccines for children. The support included access to the Vaccine Independence Initiative (VII), a ‛revolving fund' that enables governments to manage temporary budget shortfalls to facilitate timely procurement as well as support in introducing "Visibility for Vaccines" (ViVa), a supply data management tool that help visualize stock level projections. Currently UNICEF is looking for a consultant that will help the country in the development of a renewed VII Plan, as well as will support in identification of linkages between current forecasting / budgeting / funds release processes / VII and immunization data monitoring (including ViVa).

 

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

Under the joint supervision of the Finance Specialist, Director's Office / MFSDU, UNICEF Supply Division, and the Chief Child Survival & Development, UNICEF Niger, the consultant's duties and responsibilities will include:

• Review the current and forecasted Niger's immunization procurement (for years 2017-2021)
• Map the existing immunization / transaction operational budgeting processes and identify related key issues and how they can be addressed;
• Develop and write the renewed Vaccine Independence Initiative (VII) Plan
• Investigate linkages between forecasting / budgeting / funds release processes / VII and the immunization data monitoring (through ViVa (Visibility for Vaccines)) and advice on the potential solutions / recommendations.

KEY DELIVERABLES: 

• Review Niger's current and forecasted immunization procurement (for years 2017-2021) (15% time allocation)
• In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office and Ministry of Health of Niger, the consultant will prepare an overview of the Niger's current and forecasted immunization procurement (for years 2017-2021).
• Map the existing immunization / transaction operational budgeting process (15% time allocation)
• In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance of Niger, the consultant will prepare an overview of the existing immunization / transaction operational budgeting process in Niger (including identification of related key issues and how they can be addressed), including identified bottlenecks and recommendations for improvement.
• Develop the renewed VII Plan (25% time allocation)
• Based on the above mapping exercises, the consultant will redraft the VII Plan for Niger, including recommendation for VII ceiling revision.
• Investigate linkages between forecasting / budgeting / funds release processes and immunization data monitoring (ViVa) (15% time allocation)
• In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office, investigate linkages between forecasting / budgeting / funds release processes and immunization data monitoring, and propose recommendations for improvements.
• Prepare the final report (30% time allocation)
• Prepare the final report which will include: 1) forecasted immunization procurement for years 2017-2021; 2) complete map of the immunization / transaction operational budgeting process, identified bottlenecks and recommendations for improvement; 3) revised VII Plan; 4) overview of linkages between forecasting / budgeting / funds release process and immunization data monitoring, including recommendations for improvements. 

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Master Degree in Business, Public Health, Development or Public Finance, Economics / or in another relevant discipline for health economics and financing

 Work Experience: Minimum ten years professional relevant work experience in health fiscal space analysis, health / immunization financing, setting up financial solutions for health (including trust funds etc.).

 Competencies: The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following competencies that are considered to be necessary to this consultancy:

Core Competencies

• Excellent communicator of verbal and written concepts to a government and international audience.
• Able to quickly understand instructions, to proactively seek clarification when needed.
• Able to work well in a team environment.

Functional Competencies

• Works independently and problem-solving oriented.
• Works in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proven capacity to work with and lead collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skills.

Language: Proficiency in French and good working knowledge of English (written and oral) is required.

 

UNICEF CORE VALUES

Diversity and Inclusion

Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible.

Integrity

Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands; keeps promises; immediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behaviour; resists pressure in decision-making from internal and external sources; does not abuse power or authority.

Commitment

Demonstrates commitment to UNICEF's mission and to the wider UN system; demonstrates the values of UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours; seeks out new challenges, assignments and responsibilities; promotes UNICEF's cause.
 

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote for the consultancy which must include: the total consultancy fee (broken down into daily rate in US Dollars and number of consultancy days), travel costs (with details of the economy class ticket price) and administrative fees (if applicable, broken down into the separate categories of costs like internet, phone etc).
3. CV.
4. Examples of previous, relevant work.
5. References.

 

The applications should be submitted online through the UNICEF website. Queries can be directed to akrukar@unicef.org with subject line "Immunization Supply Financing Consultant." Applications must be received by 12 April 2017 11.55PM CET. Please indicate your availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above.  Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. UNICEF considers best value for money as a criteria for evaluating potential candidates. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the "best value for money" principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee.

Successful applicants will be invited to a telephone interview and will be evaluated by the following criteria:

	Applicant x
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION   (max. 70 points)
Overall Response (20 points)
Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response
Overall match between the TOR requirements consultant's competencies.
Technical Capacity (50 points)
Relevance of consultant's experience with similar projects and as per required qualifications
Quality of previous work
References
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION - Total Points
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL     (max. 30 points)
Daily rate
Economy Air Ticket
Total estimated cost of contract (proposed contract fee only)
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL - Weight Combined Score
TOTAL SCORE

General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal Status

The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the "Contractor") is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

1. Obligations

The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.

The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract. 

In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.

1. Title rights

UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.

1. Travel

If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor's travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis:

(a)        UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.

(b)        UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

1. Statement of good health

Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings "H" and "A", a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor's medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.

1. Insurance

The Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

1. Service incurred death, injury or illness

If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF's prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF's approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF's prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF's approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

1. Arbitration

(a)        Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.

(b)        If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.

1. Penalties for Underperformance

Payment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor's full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF's satisfaction, and UNICEF's certification to that effect.

1. Termination of Contract

This contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF's satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.

1. Taxation

UNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor.

 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.