Consultancy: Forecasting and Micro-Planning Training Consultant, UNICEF Supply Division (Location:Tajikistan)

UNICEF Supply Division and UNICEF Tajikistan are looking for a dedicated Forecasting and Micro-Planning Training Consultant to be placed in Tajikistan.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultancy Title: Forecasting and micro-planning training consultant, Tajikistan

LOCATION/DURATION:
Duration:  20 days over 3 months

Location: Based in Tajikistan (One trip expected to Tajikistan) – some tasks can be carried out in distance if deemed feasible      

Start Date: September or October 2017

Reporting to: Chief Health and Nutrition, UNICEF Tajikistan and Supply Chain Manager (Monitoring & Strategic Data), UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen

BACKGROUND:
In 2015, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, approved a 2016-2020 strategy to support countries in improving their immunization supply chains. The strategy includes five areas: leadership & human resources, improvement planning, data for management, cold chain equipment and system design. Gavi provides country initiated funding to implement the strategy and under this engagement, UNICEF supports Tajikistan in its efforts to improve data use throughout the immunization supply chain.

In 2017, the government of Tajikistan has started to implement different strategies and one of them will focus on improving planning capacity on bottom-up forecasting / micro-planning at primary health care (PHC) level.

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the government of Tajikistan with development of relevant and practical forecasting and micro-planning training materials that will be used to train the primary health care (PHC) workers, and to initiate the implementation through training of trainers (TOT) and coaching for selected subject matter experts who will implement the trainings.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:
Under the supervision of the Chief Health and Nutrition in UNICEF/Tajikistan and the Supply Chain Manager (Monitoring & Strategic Data) in UNICEF Supply Division/ Denmark, the consultant’s duties and responsibilities will include:

Identifying training needs for forecasting/micro-planning (time allocation: 10 days)
The consultant will visit three to four health facilities and meet with key stakeholders to better understand the knowledge and skills gaps of the targeted primary health care (PHC) workers and the expectations from Republican Centre for Immuno-prophylaxis (RCIP) and Ministry of Health and Social Protection for the training in microplanning and forecasting.
After the visits, the consultant will develop a short report on the findings from the visits, including statements on knowledge and skills gaps from PHC workers in microplanning and forecasting.  

Development of forecasting / micro-planning training material (time allocation: 5 days)
Based on findings from the visits, the consultant will develop comprehensive training material for forecasting / micro-planning. The training material will include: an outline of the course contents, learning objectives, and a list of training / reference materials for each session. It will contain as well a package of handouts to be distributed during the training courses (including: Participant handouts or participants guide/book, and Facilitator guide).
The training material is also expected to include visual elements and exercises to support learning. The consultant will also develop training evaluation questionnaires, which will be used to collect information for continuous improvement of the training material and facilitation.  

Before implementing the trainings, all the material will be validated and approved by UNICEF Supply Division, Country Office and the EPI Program of Tajikistan.

Conducting trainings (TOTs) on forecasting / micro-planning (time allocation: 5 days)
After approval of the training material, the consultant in collaboration with RCIP and UNICEF Country Office, will conduct and facilitate trainings following the structure detailed below: 

Training Facilitator # days Target audience Topics
1. ToT on forecasting / microplanning  Consultant 2 days RCIP staff at central level; Oblast EPI managers; District EPI managers from 10 selected districts   • Forecasting / micro-planning at PHC level
2. Training on forecasting / microplanning District EPI managers as master trainers (from district)

 2 days X 10 trainings
(Consultant to supervise / monitor sample trainings)
 (2 days of monitoring) Representatives from each PHC facilities in each of the 10 selected districts • Forecasting / micro-planning at PHC level

Based on the trainings the consultant will update the training material as needed and develop a report to summarize key learnings from the trainings and descriptions of the trainings (1 day).  

KEY DELIVERABLES
1. Report on training needs in microplanning and forecasting
2. Print- and implementation-ready Microplanning and Forecasting training material 
3. Updated Microplanning and Forecasting training material and Report of the trainings conducted

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Master Degree in Public Health, Statistics, Supply Chain Management, Pharmacy, Business Administration or another relevant discipline, or a first university degree with at least 7 years relevant experience in programme planning and management, monitoring and evaluation in public health sector.

Work Experience: Minimum 5 years relevant and progressive professional work experience including work experience in the field of immunisation, supply chain management, planning, monitoring and evaluation. At least 3 years of them should be in the public health sector. Experience working with immunization program planning is an asset.

Language: Full professional proficiency in English (written and oral) is required. Russian proficiency will be considered an advantage.

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 concepts both verbally and in writing to a developing country government and international audience.
• Able to work well in a team environment.

Functional Competencies
• Works independently and is problem-solving oriented.
• Works in a multi-cultural environment and establishes harmonious and effective working relationships.
• Demonstrates communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proven capacity to work across different locations utilizing technical skills within supply chain management, data visualization, management and/or monitoring.

UNICEF Core Values
The consultant also have to follow UNICEF’s core values described below.

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 especially for the Tajikistan-based period (if applicable, broken down into the separate categories of costs like internet, phone, etc.).
3. CV.
4. Examples of previous relevant work if any.
5. 3 references.
6. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html).

Questions can be sent to: mirategeka@unicef.org with subject line “Immunization Supply Chain Data use Consultant, Capacity building, Tajikistan”. Applications must be submitted through the UNICEF electronic application system by 11 August 2017: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ (Vacancy no.: 506229). Applications submitted by email or without a daily rate will not be considered. 

Payment will be made based on the delivery and approval of deliverables according to the following table:
Deliverables/Payment allocation
• Report on training needs in microplanning and forecasting/30%
• Print- and implementation-ready Microplanning and Forecasting training material/40%
• Updated Microplanning and Forecasting training material and Report of the trainings conducted/30%

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

Applicant
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 and consultant’s competencies 

Technical Capacity (50 points) 
Relevance of consultant’s experience with similar projects and as per required qualifications 
Quality of previous work and 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