Consultancy: Project Manager, Real-Time Vaccine Stock, Supply Chain and Temperature Monitoring System

UNICEF Afghanistan and UNICEF Supply Division (MSDEU) are looking for Project Manager, Real-Time Vaccine Stock, Supply Chain and Temperature Monitoring System

LOCATION/DURATION

Duration: a maximum of 6 months, exact duration to be agreed with consultant

Location: Based in Kabul, Afghanistan, with the option of performing some home-based work

Start Date: February 2018 (exact start date to be agreed with consultant)

Reporting to: Immunization Specialist, UNICEF Afghanistan; and Supply Chain Manager, Director’s Office (Monitoring, Strategic Data, and Evidence Unit), UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen

BACKGROUND

In 2015, the Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), supported by UNICEF, launched a project to develop a national real-time vaccine stock and temperature monitoring system (RTVSTMS) that could better support the management of the national immunization programme with focus on the supply chain. The system was envisioned to replace the existing stock management system, which includes a Microsoft Access-based system at regional and provincial vaccine stores (VSSM), and manual paper-based forms used at the health facilities.

The RTVSTMS was envisioned to capture real-time data from all 1,780 health facilities using mobile technologies and include modules relevant to vaccine supply chain and logistics management, such as Forecasting, Inventory Management, Transportation Management, Issues and Receipts, and Cold Chain Equipment Maintenance. Additionally, the system planned to capture real-time temperature data from cloud-based remote temperature monitoring devices, to facilitate monitoring and control of the vaccine cold chain.

The MoPH and UNICEF contracted a Kabul-based company in September 2016 for the following:

• Development, installation, configuration and customization of an application, database and related software. The system would include an open API (Application Programming Interface) for data exchange with existing applications.
• Development, language localization, and deployment on mobile phones of the real-time vaccine logistics management system. This included the acquisition, installation of software and maintenance of software on mobile devices.
• Post-implementation services and support for one year following the establishment of the system.

Requirements gathering and custom development began in 2016, with project management provided by the UNICEF Country Office in collaboration with the immunization team at the MoPH.  

The system is currently partially developed, and planning to pilot in two provinces in Afghanistan at the mid of 2018.

The project now requires a Project Manager with System Analyst capacities, with solid experience in identifying functional requirements and in IT system development and roll-out. The Project Manager will coordinate and manage the remainder of the work through the development, finalization and implementation phases, providing quality assurance, in coordination with the local development company, UNICEF Country Office and MoPH. Additionally, there is a need to manage expectations from stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Afghanistan-based Immunization Specialists, and Copenhagen-based Supply Chain Manager, the consultant will oversee and ensure the finalization of the work with the local IT system developer company to help prioritize as needed and finalize the deliverables, oversee the testing and the deployment, ensure adequate project management and system documentation, develop a rollout and change management strategy for implementation, and engage and communicate with local stakeholders while managing needs and expectations.

Scope of Work

The Project Manager/System Analyst will lead and oversee the planning and the implementation of the following main areas performed by the software development team:

• Conducting a background research on elements of RTVSTMS that are not fully developed, as well as reviewing the existing scope document and draft documentation;
• Reviewing and performing a GAP analysis on the developed elements of the software;
• Supervising the existing software development team in day to day development activities;
• Interacting with the existing software development team to transform and rectify any issues in the management of the information system and related database.
• Administering a series of database systems, including PostgreSQL, MongoDB.

The Project Manager/System Analyst will also:

• Lead the team who develops and enforces database administration and user standards and procedures; audits, modifies, and amends data in systems, and creates data entry screens;
• Oversee the scheduling of database projects in consultation with the Program Manager National Health Program, as well as of database and transaction log backups;
• Evaluate database server integrity and security;
• Review technical designs, reports, documentation, and other materials produced by MoPH staff

Project management (75%)

• Using existing documentation and interviews with key stakeholder, assess the status of the RTVSTMS project and propose an initial work plan addressing key challenges and risks identified;
• Manage the remaining phases of the project development lifecycle including prioritization of functional requirements, system development in alignment with DISC Indicators, testing (unit testing and UAT), system documentation, and planned deployment in coordination with the IT developers, UNICEF, and MoPH;
• Ensure alignment of project requirements with MoPH business and IT technology strategy and vision;
• As necessary, conduct additional process mapping and requirements gathering;
• Develop and manage project management-related documentation as required, such as project plans, GANTT Chart ,  progress reports, risk mitigation plans, communication plans, and resource requirements;
• Coordinate with stakeholders to identify data and system integration requirements with VSSM and other MoPH systems, and work with the IT developer as needed.

Change management (25%)

• Finalize User Manuals both for users & master trainers;
• Identify the training needs to support the successful roll-out of the system;

• Develop an initial change management plan, including a project roadmap and identifying communication needs per stakeholder and user groups to ensure successful scale-up

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Validated work plan addressing key challenges and risks identified during the initial assessment
• Revised Software Requirement Specifications (SRS) and Prototype for the system based on the current work and inputs from the IT developers, UNICEF, and MoPH
• Developed and agreed to testing scenarios applicable to unit testing and UAT, with related list of testers 

• Confirmation of:

  • Hardware and/or Software installed and tested
  • Unit Test completed
  • Integration Test completed and approved
  • Acceptance Test completed and approved
  • User Acceptance of developed system
• Documented UAT results for RTVSTMS, including links to agreed scenarios and to list of testers
• Validated project roadmap for scale-up
• Validated training plan including contents, methodology for system scale-up
• Validated change management plan developed, including stakeholder communication
• Ensure Standard System documentation as per Software development life cycle

The chronology of activities will be defined with the consultant.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education: Master Degree in Information Technology (IT), Supply Chain Management, Business administration, Public Health or another relevant discipline or first university degree with relevant experience in electronic information management systems.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in the development or management of projects related to ERP or MIS systems, and experience preferably Database Management Systems (DBMS) data base administration and analysis, information management, 3 of which are in administration and maintenance of management information systems, with advanced computer hardware and software technologies
• Fluency in at least two of PostgreSQL, MySQL, MS SQL Database Systems
• Fluency in at least two Object Oriented Programming languages, such as Java, PHP5 and Python
• Proven experience with all aspects of system implementation including, but not limited to: gathering requirements, future state system solution design, configuration, customization, integration, development objects related to their process scope, develop the architecture of the solutions, as well as supporting testing and post implementation support;
• Knowledge and demonstrated competence with IT project management processes, methods, data modelling and standards;
• Experience working in developing countries or in low-resource settings;
• Experience working with government and/or international organizations would be considered an asset;
• Experience in leading teams for implementation of e-governance project at national level
• Certifications for Software development, solution architecture would be an asset.

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 quickly understand instructions, to proactively seek clarification when needed.
• 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 system architecture development and electronic information management systems development and implementation.

Language: Full professional proficiency in English (written and oral) is required. Knowledge of Dari/ Pashto would be considered as an advantage.

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:

• Cover letter/application, including sketch of proposal
• Financial quote at daily rate basis in USD/overall quotation to complete the task  
• CV
• Examples of previous, relevant work
• 3 references and their current contacts

Questions can be sent to: mirategeka@unicef.org with subject line “Project Manager, Real-Time Vaccine Stock, Supply Chain and Temperature Monitoring System, Afghanistan”.

Applications must be submitted through the UNICEF electronic application system by 31 January 2018. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.  

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