Consultancy: Project Officer, Forecasting and Planning, 11.5 months full-time, Monitoring, Strategic Data and Evidence Unit, UNICEF Supply Division

The purpose of the consultancy is to support UNICEF SD in the coordination and implementation of measures to improve SD’s demand forecasting and planning. Under the supervision of the Supply Chain Manager in MSDEU, the position will perform the mapping of current forecasting and planning processes, coordinate the work on the improvement measures identified, keeping track of decisions and progress, and help refine and implement measures as relevant. The position will maintain up-to-date documentation on all tasks and outputs, and will also provide coordination and communication support around activities linked to the Steering Group and other stakeholders.

Consultancy Title: Project Officer, Forecasting and Planning

Location: UNICEF Supply Division; Copenhagen, Denmark

Duration:  11.5 months full-time

Start Date: 22 January 2018

Reporting to: Supply Chain Manager, MSDEU, UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen

BACKGROUND:

In 2016, UNICEF Supply Division (SD) procured over $3.5 billion worth of supplies and services from all over the world. Two of SD’s primary focus areas are to ensure the global availability of essential supplies such as vaccines, medicines and health products through influencing markets; and to implement a range of supply chain models to ensure these supplies are delivered to children. SD has an important role in coordinating procurement and supply of essential commodities for UNICEF and work in a complex ecosystem of governments, donors, partners, suppliers, and our own country offices. As in any complex supply chain, the links are highly interdependent, and aligning supply with demand is inherently complex.

In order to get insight into the future needs and be able to fulfill these needs in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner, SD has set up a number of different product category-specific demand forecasting and planning processes that play a critical role in ensuring that supplies are available to children. Given the criticality of these processes, SD has decided to put in place a series of measures to ensure effectiveness and efficiency, to optimize its processes, and to mitigate risks.

One of the roles of the Monitoring, Strategic Data and Evidence Unit (MSDEU) in SD in relation to these product category-specific demand forecasting and planning processes is to further define the improvement measures and implement them, in addition to coordinating the different forecasting and planning processes already in place. This will require working closely with procurement centres in SD and it may also require coordination with UNICEF’s Regional and Country Offices.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of the consultancy is to support UNICEF SD in the coordination and implementation of measures to improve SD’s demand forecasting and planning. Under the supervision of the Supply Chain Manager in MSDEU, the position will perform the mapping of current forecasting and planning processes, coordinate the work on the improvement measures identified, keeping track of decisions and progress, and help refine and implement measures as relevant. The position will maintain up-to-date documentation on all tasks and outputs, and will also provide coordination and communication support around activities linked to the Steering Group and other stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

• Conduct the scoping and process mapping of current forecasting and planning processes in SD, leveraging all existing materials
• Coordinate the prioritization of identified improvement measures, collect input from stakeholders and help develop tasks and inputs for each of the measures, including resources, and help identifying options and related risks
• Manage the work on the improvement measures identified, including via coordination with stakeholders and ensuring risks are mitigated
• Support the Supply Chain Manager in the preparation, carrying out of meetings with the Steering Group and stakeholders as relevant, and follow up on decisions and agreed actions
• Maintain updated project charter, plans and other project documentation
• Develop the documentation and communications materials for internal partners to support the activities above
• Maintain up-to-date project documentation, including work plan progress
• Any other duties as requested by the supervisor

KEY DELIVERABLES:

• Process mapping of current forecasting and planning processes in SD
• Initial implementation plan for prioritized improvement initiatives
• Documentation for and on discussions and decisions from stakeholder meetings is available and timely prepared
• Project Charter and plans are available, and up-to-date based on progress
• UNICEF SD staff is aware of changes in forecasting and planning processes and of the progress made towards improvement measures
• Implementation of relevant improvement measures is coordinated to progress as per plan

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: A completed Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree) in business administration, economics, supply chain management, procurement, social sciences, or relevant field is required. A relevant first level university degree in the above areas combined with 5 years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience: Minimum three years of relevant professional experience in project management, implementation of change processes, and/or supply and/or demand forecasting and planning. Proven skills in management and strategic thinking. Experience working within the UN or a similar organization / NGO is an asset.

Competencies:

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

• Planning and Organizing
• Applying Technical Expertise

Technical Knowledge:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in planning and implementing change or improvement initiatives
• Good knowledge of planning and / or project management principles and practices
• Proven ability to work with different locations and/or field offices
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Experience with internal communications platforms such as SharePoint Online and Yammer
• Knowledge of health supply chains is an asset

Language: Proficiency in English is required. Fluency in French is an asset.

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote at a daily rate in US Dollars excluding all taxes to undertake the terms of reference.
3. CV.
4. Proposed methodology/approach to managing the project.
5. At least 2 references

Questions can be sent to gortamartinez@unicef.org with subject line “Project Officer, Forecasting and Planning”. Applications must be submitted through the UNICEF electronic application system by 20 Dec 2017, 17:00 CET. Applications submitted by email or without a daily rate will not be considered.

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. Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance. Successful applicants will be invited to a telephone interview and will be evaluated by the following criteria: