Consultancy: Technical Consultant (Oxygen Therapy) - 11.5 months

 

UNICEF Supply Division is seeking a consultant who will be responsible for producing detailed technical guidance for the appropriate use and maintenance of products essential to the delivery of life-saving oxygen, in consultation with key stakeholders in the oxygen space.

LOCATION/DURATION:

Duration:  11.5 months

Location: Copenhagen (preferred)

Start Date: TBC

Reporting to: Product Innovation Manager, UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen

BACKGROUND:

In 2016, UNICEF procured $3.519 billion in supplies and services for children in 147 countries and areas. Partnerships, competition, and strategic procurement delivered price reductions for vaccines and other supplies that saved $588.2 million for governments and donors. Much of UNICEF Supply Division’s (SD) work focuses on working with suppliers and a range of partners to ensure the availability of life-saving products. SD’s work in product innovation and markets effort enables the development of new products or the improvement of existing ones and interventions to decrease prices and ensure availability hereby ensuring value for money and the availability of fit for purpose and value for money products that can benefit children around the world.

Despite the evidence that improved oxygen systems save lives, the availability of oxygen supplies remains limited in regions of the world where they are most needed.  In low and middle-income country settings, poor oxygen system planning often results in inconsistent or low oxygen system functional capacity.

The Oxygen Therapy Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) is a strategic collaboration between UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) to increase access to and utilization of safe and appropriate oxygen system products in resource-limited settings.  The 3 outputs of this project are:

1. Interagency technical specifications and guidance for procurement of oxygen system products and components;
2. Updated UNICEF catalogue with specifications, technical guidance, and new procurement mechanisms to include a more robust and appropriate selection of oxygen system products;
3. Functioning prototype of an oxygen therapy decision-assist tool developed to provide strategic and technical support for oxygen system selection and upgrades at all levels of the health care system.

UNICEF Supply Division is seeking a consultant who will be responsible for producing detailed technical guidance for the appropriate use and maintenance of products essential to the delivery of life-saving oxygen, in consultation with key stakeholders in the oxygen space.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this full-time consultancy is to develop technical guidance for products essential for delivering oxygen, and provide technical expertise to the wider oxygen project to ensure technical excellence is maintained throughout all project outputs including UNICEF catalogue updates and the tool prototype.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The Technical Consultant will work with the Oxygen Therapy Programme Coordinator and key stakeholders in the oxygen space, not least WHO and BMGF, as well as UNICEF country offices, to provide technical input to the oxygen therapy project as follows:

Development, publication and promotion of Technical Guidance (60% time allocation)

• Reviewing all published literature and evidence related to twelve selected priority products (tier 1) for oxygen delivery products
• Product specifications completed and fully harmonized with WHO and in consultation with UNICEF’s Technical Review Group (TRG)
• Detailed technical guidance for all ‘tier 1’ oxygen products produced and harmonized with WHO and in consultation with UNICEF’s Technical Review Group and Advisory Committee
• Specifications and technical guidance published online and promoted through country offices

Updating UNICEF catalogue (25% time allocation)

• Transfer specifications into standard template format
• Draft list of invitees
• Technical evaluation
• Finalize technical report for tender including updating technical cards

Technical input into oxygen planning tool (15% time allocation)

• Assist in the translation of tool business requirements into detailed functional requirements 

 

KEY DELIVERABLES:

 The consultant will be responsible, for ensuring the following deliverables are achieved.

1. Development, publication and promotion of harmonized interagency oxygen delivery system product specifications and technical guidance (in collaboration with WHO and Programme Coordinator) – (Mar 2018 to Jan 2019)

1. Finalize technical specifications (already drafted) for the twelve selected priority products based on Technical Review Group feedback and results of industry consultation
2. Create table of contents for Technical Guidance document
3. Create format/layout for specifications and Technical Guidance (in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO communications)
4. Create Technical Guidance document and incorporate stakeholder feedback
5. Draft of product specifications and Technical Guidance complete for technical editing
6. Ensure correct technical editing of documentation and obtain WHO sign-off of texts
7. Ensure correct layout and obtain WHO sign-off for layout
8. Coordinate translation of necessary information
9. Create a publication and dissemination plan

2. UNICEF catalogue updated for procurement of oxygen components (in collaboration with Programme Coordinator) – (Jul 2018 to Feb 2019), including fully updated:

1. Technical specifications in standard tender format (currently twelve products) specifications)
2. List of invitees for tender
3. Technical evaluation
4. Technical cards

3. Business requirements for oxygen system planning tool (in collaboration with Programme Coordinator) – (May 2018 to Sep 2018)

1. Draft of oxygen system planning tool business and functional requirements (specifications and capabilities)

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

 Education:

• University degree in engineering, biomedical engineering or related discipline, and/or public health.  Advanced degree (Masters/PhD) preferred.

Work Experience:

• Minimum five years of relevant, progressively responsible, professional experience is required
• Specialist knowledge of medical equipment, medical devices, and biomedical engineering is required
• Hands-on working experience in medical device development, procurement, evaluation, commercialization, or scaling environment, particularly oxygen delivery systems is considered a strong asset
• Experience in producing detailed technical guidance for use of medical devices is considered a strong asset

Technical Knowledge/Skills:

• High level of technical writing expertise
• High level of analytical skills
• Understanding of technologies in areas of oxygen delivery systems
• Knowledge of UN procurement processes is an asset
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite
• Knowledge of the environment in which UNICEF operates (i.e., global health sector)

 Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
• Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

Competencies:

The successful candidate is also 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 an international audience.
• Able to quickly understand instructions, to proactively seek clarification when needed.
• Able to work well in a team environment.

Functional Competencies

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

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 at a daily rate in US Dollars and estimate of total cost of contract. Financial quote should be inclusive of service fees, and living expenses.
3. Examples of previous, relevant projects and work experience

Please be informed that all applications to UNICEF are handled via UNICEF’s online recruiting system. You can apply to the above consultancy by creating your profile and application at our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php 
Requisition no: 510067. 

The applications should be submitted online through the UNICEF website.

Applications must be received by 21 January 2018.

Please indicate your availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above.  Applications submitted 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 evaluated by the following criteria:

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

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.

 

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:

1. 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. 
2. 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

1. Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties. 
2. 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.