Roster of Cold Chain Consultants to be engaged by UNICEF offices across different locations in India

Consultancy Roster

LOCATION: New Delhi / any of the 13 UNICEF Field Offices (Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad/Telangana, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Raipur and Ranchi)

 VALIDITY OF ROSTER: FOUR YEARS

 CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION: 28 May 2018

1. BACKGROUND:

 India’s Immunization program is one of the largest in the world and is making its best efforts to achieve the full immunization rate of 90% by 2020. In order to achieve this milestone, there is need of improving the service delivery, as well as the demand side constraints. For effective service delivery, robust immunization supply chain system is required, which includes cold chain and adequate Human resources, planning, motivation and stewardship of the program at every level.

This will  entail identifying system bottlenecks and their rectification, through specific strategy at each level, with very regular monitoring on process indicators and their consequence in overcoming bottlenecks and increasing immunization coverage. Cold chain is a critical component of the Supply Chain of vaccine & Logistics in the Immunization program maintenance and needs due attention at all levels.

The program needs optimization of cold chain network, ensuring adequate storage space for storing vaccine & logistics at all levels, timely maintenance of cold chain equipment through trained manpower and timely recording and reporting through a well-established MIS system.  The consultant will support in optimization of cold chain network across various levels, assessing cold chain space keeping in mind new vaccine introduction, capacity building of cold chain technicians etc.

2. PURPOSE:

UNICEF is trying to build a pool of pre-qualified high-caliber candidates to be hired as ‘Cold Chain Consultants’, from which UNICEF country office and different state offices can quickly select and fill a requirement through a faster contracting process as soon as a need is identified.

Candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to apply following which a desk review of their skills and experience will be done to determine whether they qualify for the cold chain roster. The process will ensure all candidates in the cold chain Roster Group are evaluated prior to recommendation for a specific consultancy opportunity. Successful candidates will be notified and placed in a cold chain Roster Group for a four (4) year period. However, engagement of identified consultants for specific assignments would be as per the terms and conditions specified in the contract entered into.

The Roster of cold chain Consultants, once in place, will allow UNICEF to select three or more potential candidates from the roster for further appraisal and selection of one candidate, rather than going through a formal advertisement process for each consultancy assignment. Ideally, this will expedite the placement of consultants (both short term and long term) and also provide the supervisor the scope to choose from a vast pool of potential candidates with cold chain background. The database will be managed centrally by Supply & Procurement (S&P) section, New Delhi. In this context, should the currently on-board consultants with UNICEF be interested in being considered for future opportunities with UNICEF, they need to apply to the roster.

3. LOCATION:

 The position would be responsible for providing technical support to national / state / divisional / district level in Immunization programme for UNICEF supported states in India, with specific deliverables to be achieved for improved Immunization outcomes. The position would be based at Country Office or State or selected district HQs within the states. Possible locations are: New Delhi, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad/Telangana, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Raipur and Ranchi.

4. VALIDITY OF ROSTER:

The roster once established would be valid for a period of 4-years.

5. QUALIFICATION, SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Education: University degree or diploma in engineering or Refrigeration, public health, supply chain management or any other relevant field from a recognized university
• Technical knowledge: Good understanding of cold chain and vaccine management
• Language: Fluency in English and Hindi is required. Knowledge of other local Indian language as relevant to the state is an asset. Good negotiation and influencing skills supported by excellent communication and presentation skills is desirable.
• Computer literate and conversant with MS Office and its application, internet, e-mail
• Knowledge/familiarity with the national flagship programs ( Routine immunization and polio/ measles rubella vaccination campaign )
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment and to establish harmonious and effective working relationships with governmental, non-governmental and civil society organizations

6. HOW TO APPLY: Your application should contain the following 3 attachments:

Please submit your online application before COB 28 May 2018.

 i. A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and explaining how the qualifications and skill-set of the candidate are suitable for this position (to be uploaded online under cover letter)

ii. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online under CV/resume)

iii. Technical Experience Template (Annex A) – to be uploaded under Educational Certificate

 ANNEX A Technical Experience Template Roster Cold Chain Consultant.docx

 You will notice that scores have been assigned to the technical experience template. Hence, it is mandatory to upload this document. Without this document your application will be considered incomplete and will be invalidated.

PS: In your online application, you are not required to quote your professional/travel fee. However, if these fields are mandatory in the application form then either enter a '-' or a '0' to be able to proceed further in completing the online application form.

7. Evaluation Criteria

The criteria for evaluation will be as follows:

1. Language and content of cover letter                         -           Min 07/Max 10
2. Relevant Education Qualifications                             -           Min 28/Max 40
3. Relevant work/technical experience                           -           Min 35/Max 50

Candidates' who score 70 marks and above and also score the minimum points against each of the above sub-criteria will be considered for inclusion in the roster

Total points to qualify in overall technical evaluation     Min 70/Max 100

• Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
• Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
• Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.

For any clarifications, please contact:

UNICEF

Supply & Procurement Section

73, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003

Telephone # +91-11-24606516 (Direct)

Fax # +91-11-24391410; Email: indconsultants@unicef.org