Consultancy: Country Support for Strengthening Supply Chain Leadership, Governance and Human Resources for Immunization Supply Chain Management, SCSC UNICEF Supply Div

UNICEF is seeking supply chain and HR consultants. The objective of this assignment is to support countries in one or more of the following actions using already existing global tools and guidance: 1. Conducting an HR for ISCM assessment and support to developing the improvement plan 2. Analysis of HR related findings from a comprehensive EVM assessment and support to developing the HR component of the comprehensive EVM improvement plan 3. Conducting a training needs analysis and support to developing a training strategy and training implementation plan with indicative costs 4. Support to countries in the establishment and/or strengthening of national logistics working groups to strengthen governance and co-ordination.

Consultancy Title: Country Support for Strengthening Supply Chain Leadership, Governance and Human Resources for Immunization Supply Chain Management

LOCATION/DURATION:      

Duration:  70 days spread over 12 months (to be aligned with country plans)

Location:   Various - Copenhagen, in country and remotely from home as required

HQ Travel:    Travel Costs and DSA (per diem) provided for a maximum of 50 days.

Field Missions/Travel: Costs for travel to Copenhagen and focus countries will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations concerning duty travel and per diem.

Start Date: December 2017

Reporting to: Musonda Kasonde, Capacity Development Manager, UNICEF Supply Division

BACKGROUND:
The GAVI Alliance Supply Chain Strategy emphasizes supply chain leadership and human resources (HR) as one of the key fundamentals required to strengthen and optimize country supply chains in order to ensure sustainable access to potent vaccines. Immunization supply chains (ISC) require dedicated and competent leaders as well as adequate numbers of skilled, accountable, motivated and empowered personnel at all levels of the health system. UNICEF with other GAVI Alliance partners are active in their support to countries by providing technical assistance, tools, training and other resources to strengthen supply chain leaders and build the capacity of the supply workforce to enable them to advocate, plan for and drive supply chain improvements.

The HR for ISCM or HR for EVM (Effective Vaccine Management) assessment was developed to enable a comprehensive analysis of the immunization supply chain workforce and HR set up to help inform a robust and holistic HR improvement plan which covers HR planning (policy, posts, recruitment etc.), HR management (organization, working conditions, job descriptions, performance monitoring etc.) and HR development (skills and competency levels and training etc.). 

One of the major challenges identified during the effective vaccine management assessments (EVMA) and HR for ISCM assessments carried out in various countries was the non-systematic approach to capacity development and the ad-hoc manner in which training is conducted which limits the full impact being achieved in terms of immunization supply chain performance

Therefore, a systematic and objective approach is needed to identify training needs of SC staff, taking into account roles and responsibilities, requirements of the job and actual skills and competencies. The outputs from this process being a training needs analysis, training strategy and a costed training implementation plan.

For building leaders, the STEP leadership development programme is available to countries and for governance and co-ordination, support for establishing and/or strengthening national logistics working groups. It is perceived that this comprehensive approach to addressing supply governance structures, leadership and human resources will have a marked impact on immunization supply chain performance and is in very much in support of other initiatives including People that Deliver.

The roll out of this initiative also aligns with the global strategy on human resource for health (HRH) 2030 which aims to ensure that countries have inclusive institutional mechanisms through strengthened technical and management capacity in Ministries of Health (MOH).

UNICEF is seeking supply chain and HR consultants to support implementation of the above initiatives

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this assignment is to support countries in one or more of the following actions using already existing global tools and guidance:
1. Conducting and HR for ISCM assessment and support to developing the improvement plan
2. Analysis of HR related findings from a comprehensive EVM assessment and support to developing the HR component of the comprehensive EVM improvement plan
3. Conducting a training needs analysis and support to developing a training strategy and training implementation plan with indicative costs
4. Support to countries in the establishment and/or strengthening of national logistics working groups to strengthen governance and co-ordination.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:
This assignment entails support to countries in one or more of the four areas highlighted above; HR assessments, HR improvement planning as part of the cEVM, training needs analysis and national logistics working groups. The countries will self-select based on cEVM roll out and other country plans. The consultants will be expected to understand, apply and support countries to implement methodologies and approaches that have already been developed and are currently being rolled out.

KEY DELIVERABLES:
The deliverables for each assignment will depend on the request from the countries, the focus area and the country context. This will include:
1) HR for ISCM assessments
• HR assessment report
• Summary presentation on findings
• HR action plan with immediate next steps developed together with the country office

2) HR component of the Comprehensive EVM Improvement Plan
• Synthesis of the cEVM findings
• Support to facilitation of the cIP workshop
• Draft HR strategy and activities incorporated into the cIP

3) Training Needs Analysis
• Training needs analysis of the ISC workforce
• Training strategy
• Training plan for implementation with indicative costs
• Recommendations on training resources to address the needs identified

4) National Logistics Working Groups
• NLWG assessment report
• Summary presentation on findings
• Action plan to strengthen and/or establish a NLWG
• Support to country for implementation

The activity deadlines and further specification on individual activities will be specified and agreed after contracted.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
• Advanced university degree in management, social sciences, supply chain, human resource management, public health or related field.
• Experience in public health supply chains and/or human resource management

Competencies:
1) Core Values
• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity
2) Core Competencies
• Communication
• Drive for Results
3) Key Functional Competencies
• Analyzing
• Planning and Organizing

Technical Knowledge:
• Demonstrated knowledge and work experience in country development programmes at global and national level preferably in low and middle income countries and preferably in health
• Demonstrated experience in capacity development and human resource development including training and performance management
• Experience in developing strategies and costed activity plans with key performance indicators
• Excellent analytical skills
• Management experience and ability to work with a wide and diverse range of stakeholders, including government and partners.
• Excellent facilitation, communication and report writing skills.

Language:
• Fluency in spoken and written English is essential
• Knowledge of other UN languages especially French will be a great asset.

EVALUATION PROCESS:
Desk Review of qualified candidates, based on:
1. Financial quote at a daily rate in US Dollars excluding all taxes
2. CV/Resume
3. Two References

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. 

Queries can be sent to: Musonda Kasonde (mkasonde@unicef.org) with subject line “Consultancy: Country Support for Strengthening Supply Chain Leadership, Governance and HR for Immunization SCM”.  Applications must be received in the system by the 24 November 2017 at our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php   Requisition no: 508859

Successful applicants will be evaluated within the following criteria:

NB. An interview may also be requested after evaluation.

PAYMENT TERMS:
Payment will be aligned to deliverables as agreed when contracted.  All deliverables to be approved prior to payment.

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 contractor (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representative 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 Convention”).  The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Expert on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and if 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.

2. 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 shall 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 UNICEF relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; discrimination, 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.

3. 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.

4. Travel

If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract. In cases where travel costs have not been set in the contract, travel may either be organized by UNICEF or reimbursed upon submission of receipts within ten (10) days of completion of a specific travel 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 pay for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel, up to an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

5. Statement of good health

Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and 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 incurred in relation to the statement of good health. 

6. 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.

7. 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 expenses in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, 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 Consultants and Individual Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

8. 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. 

9. Penalties for Underperformance

Payment of fees to the Contractor under this contract, 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. 

10. 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, 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.

11. 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.

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