Consultancy: Project Management Specialist - Immunisation Supply Chain (ISC) partner coordination and Effective Vaccine Management v. 2.0 (EVM 2.0) rollout, Health Section, PD - NYHQ, Requisition # 513788

The intensive iSC² coordination process, and the EVM 2.0 rollout, are the two high-stake global initiatives that place high demands on UNICEF in terms of the collaborative stakeholder engagement and project management excellence, incl. adherence to tight deadlines without compromising the quality.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Background & Rationale

The 2015-2020 Gavi Immunization Supply Chain (ISC) Strategy has a goal of significantly increasing the average Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) benchmark of Gavi’s 68 countries by the end of 2020. A consortium of eight partner organizations (BMGF, CHAI, JSI, Gavi Secretariat, PATH, UNICEF, VillageReach, WHO) have formed the Immunization Supply Chain Steering Committee (iSC²) in order to provide strategic oversight, monitoring, and coordination of partners’ efforts to ensure that global, regional and national resources are leveraged efficiently to support programme needs. UNICEF is a co-chair of iSC².

UNICEF, under the auspices of the WHO-UNICEF ISC Hub, is also co-leading the design of the EVM 2.0 assessment tool as part of the broader EVM rollout, which includes improving the country and partner engagement, expanding the scope of EVM assessments and improvement planning, linking these to financing, and improving its monitoring of implementation. EVM is the lynchpin of the global metrics of ISC systems performance, and an important benchmark of the success of partners’ strategic and tactical efforts.

Purpose

The intensive iSC² coordination process, and the EVM 2.0 rollout, are the two high-stake global initiatives that place high demands on UNICEF in terms of the collaborative stakeholder engagement and project management excellence, incl. adherence to tight deadlines without compromising the quality. 

There is therefore the need to strengthen and effectively manage a platform to coordinate activities of multiple stakeholders, to ensure the roles and functions of UNICEF as a co-chair of iSC² and a co-lead of the EVM 2.0 rollout, are fulfilled effectively and efficiently.  The role of the Project Management Specialist is to provide dedicated support in administering and coordinating the consultative process and technical work required to fulfil the objectives of iSC² coordination and EVM 2.0 rollout, assuring the overall timeliness and quality of the process; and to plan and coordinate the documentation and M+E of the components.  The specialist is expected to develop a project management framework to coordinate activities across workstreams. The specialist will report directly to the UNICEF Programme Division’s iSCM Hub coordinator, while working closely with the leads for each of the workstreams.

Hence, UNICEF is seeking assistance in the form of a consultancy, equivalent to 6 months’ full time work, to coordinate the work within and across the above-mentioned work streams.

Expected results: (measurable results)

Under the supervision of the Senior Immunization Specialist/ iSCM Hub coordinator, the consultant will:

1. Design, implement and coordinate the project management process, incl. the work-planning, reporting and monitoring systems, to ensure all deliverables are met
2. Design, implement and manage information flows for documents, data and analysis, to ensure consistency and effectiveness of information sharing, including tools (e.g., templates, system of meeting records, etc.) to facilitate effective functioning of working groups and the project management team as a whole
3. Manage cross-team interdependencies and devise strategies to maximize these
4. Identify risks (as these arise) that could delay project deliverables and devise risk mitigation strategies to proactively manage any time delays, resource needs and scope changes
5. Provide analytical support to the ISCM work stream lead/Hub coordinator (on-going)
6. Plan, organize and manage conference calls, meetings, videoconferences and joint missions involving the Hub coordinator, workstream leads in WHO and UNICEF, and other stakeholders as required, to facilitate and manage discussions and recommendations and follow through the resulting action points
7. Develop and review terms of reference, briefing documents, concept notes and other materials as required, in consultation with the technical leads and the Hub coordinator
8. Plan and coordinate the documentation and M+E of the project components; report on a monthly basis on project’s progress, lessons learned and challenges to the Hub coordinator

 Duty Station: Location of assignment: Copenhagen, Denmark:

TRAVEL : Limited travel is foreseen for this consultancy: 4 trips are anticipated (1 to Geneva, 1 to New York, and 2 countries to be determined)

Consultant is required to submit estimated cost of these trips. Travel cost will be embedded in the contract as confirmed and agreed by the hiring office.

The consultant will be reimbursed of the travel cost upon submission of receipts and approval from the hiring office, as stipulated in the current UNICEF policy.

Timeframe

Start date:  16 July 2018
End date:    16 January 2019 

*Can include weekends/holidays, but only with supervisor’s written approval

*Monthly payment will be based on the satisfactory progress report on deliverables accomplished duly certified by the supervisor and on the actual number of days worked.

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Advanced University degree in business, public health, sciences, economics or other related area. Additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree.
• At least 5 years of experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in planning and implementing development assistance projects in countries essential.
• Experience and familiarity with ISC and EVM is an asset.
• Experience with planning and implementing monitoring and evaluation processes
• Experience in developing and implementing project management tools, reporting templates, and repositories
• Strong analytical skills, oral and written communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Substantial experience in working with teams of technical experts and donors
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken. Knowledge of other languages an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships with both headquarters and field staff
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Powerpoint, Word

Special Provision
UNICEF may use this solicitation to establish a consultancy roster to support similar requirements with regard to the ISC/EVM project management.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Remarks

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.