Consultancy: Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Speciali, UNICEF Supply Div, Copenhagen DK

As UNICEF scales up the application of drones to enhance children’s lives, there is a recognized need to consider solutions that enable countries to sustain the operations of such technology. The candidate will help coordinate amongst donors and other stakeholders and drive forward systematic approaches in support of expanding and maintaining tested technologies as well as integrating drones for strengthening health supply chain systems. To drive this need, UNICEF is seeking a UAS coordinator.

Consultancy: Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Specialist, UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen, Denmark

Duration:  11.5 months

Location: Desk Work:  TBD, no DSA (per diem) provided; other travel:  Travel Costs and DSA (per diem) provided for meetings, as needed and covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations.

Start Date: August 2018

Reporting to: Joint:  Ousmane Dia, UNICEF Programme Division; Ken Legins, UNICEF Supply Division

BACKGROUND:
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS’s), commonly known as ‘drones’, are increasingly being deployed for humanitarian and development purposes across the globe.   As Drones are beginning to get fully incorporated into commercial airspace they will be an integral tool for last-mile delivery and for data management along the supply chain, of relevance for applications in challenging environments with complex geographies and currently facing last-mile supply chain challenges. Drones can serve as useful tools to bring connectivity to disconnected areas and for collecting data from health centers (i.e. stock numbers and other critical health data) or other infrastructure. They are also complementary platforms to existing transportation modalities for transporting important medical supplies to hard-to-reach places.

UNICEF has led a number of efforts in piloting and using the various applications of drones, including launching the first humanitarian drone testing corridor in Africa, transporting health supplies and medical equipment, monitoring infrastructure programs, combining drone-acquired imagery with Artificial Intelligence for emergency response, supporting development of the national regulatory framework, and guiding governments on the integration of drones into the national disaster preparedness and response frameworks.

As UNICEF scales up the application of drones to enhance children’s lives, there is a recognized need to consider solutions that enable countries to sustain the operations of such technology.

The candidate will help coordinate amongst donors and other stakeholders and drive forward systematic approaches in support of expanding and maintaining tested technologies as well as integrating drones for strengthening health supply chain systems. To drive this need, UNICEF is seeking a UAS coordinator.

 
OBJECTIVE:

1. Improve the coordination, collaboration, and information-sharing of key donors, agencies, implementing partners, innovators, and other actors in the UAS space
a. Based on existing literature highlighting bottlenecks and opportunities, build a coordination framework made up of policies, participants, and outputs.
b. Share the coordination framework with key partners with the goal of implementing priority actions as a stop-gap measure and highlighting a long-term strategy and pathway.
c. Develop a business case proposal for a coordination mechanism to convene and improve the efficiency of the global health ecosystem for tracking UAS implementations.

2. Advocate for increased systemic and programmatic analysis of the viability, applicability, and key performance indicators of UAS implementations
a. Create a taxonomy and process to populate a portfolio of UAS proposals and implementations from the private sector, global health, and other applicable scenarios.
b. Track status, progress, and successes/challenges across the portfolio.
c. Working with partners; draft, share, and disseminate industry and market notes highlighting the applicability and gaps in existing projects and/or products.
d. Operating through a coordination mechanism; review, critique, and encourage the adoption of systemic and programmatic analysis of UAS implementations in the portfolio.
e. In collaboration with the UNICEF Supply Division’s Innovation Unit (MSFIC), produce recommendation on whether UNICEF should initiate a Product Innovation Project (PiP) to drive R&D and implementation of specific products needed to ensure impact of UAS’s in a UNICEF context (whether UAS’s or components used by UAS’s). This recommendation should be based on analysis of products needed by UNICEF or partners but not currently available in a procurable form on the market as well as on whether UNICEF with its future activities and ability to attract funding for market guarantees can make a pivotal difference in driving R&D. 

KEY EXPECTED RESULTS:

1. Clear UNICEF roles and responsibilities in UAS coordination amongst Interagency Supply Group (ISG) partners.
2. Facilitate relationships and partnerships for UNICEF and relevant industry partners.
3. Engagement with industry (primarily identifying more established players) to encourage establishment of cold chain transportation standards and reduction of operational risks.
4. Development of criteria to implement transport drones in remote and urban contexts.
5. Vetted recommendation on UNICEF’s potential engagement in a PiP or other market engagement.
6. Clear and efficient coordination across multiple UNICEF offices and divisions to address specific programmatic needs for UNICEF, such as:
 Providing high-level technical inputs and project management support to help UNICEF
assess the viability of drones as a tool for strengthening health systems in immunization, HIV or other health programs of UNICEF SD and PD.
 Helping define standards for future drone suppliers to perform last-mile deliveries of cold chain commodities in support of
o Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)
o Control of Diarrheal Diseases (CDD)
o Tuberculosis, HIV and Malaria control 

KEY DELIVERABLES:

The activity deadlines and further specification on individual activities will be specified and agreed after contracted.

Payments will follow the approval of key deliverables itemized above and according to the following estimation of work days.
1. Monthly basis

 
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Advanced University degree
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the UAS/drone industry domain
• Project management skills including results driven task prioritization and budget monitoring
• Proven ability to manage relationships with partners, including government ministries, universities, intellectual leaders, UN organizations, NGOs and the private sector.
• Experience working in the private sector or managing corporate partnerships is an asset
• International and developing country work experience is an asset
• Knowledge or experience of technical regulations or the commercial drone industry is an asset
• Experience in start-up companies/organizations and entrepreneurial failures are considered valuable.

Competencies:

1) Core Values
• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

2) Core Competencies
• Communication
• Drive for Results

3) Key Functional Competencies
• Analyzing
• Planning and Organizing

Technical Knowledge:
Demonstrated knowledge in the field of essential health commodities supply chains, preferably immunization
Knowledge of Supply Chain Management including current trends and promising practices, including the application of UAS in global health
Excellent research and analysis skills
Excellent writing and presentation skills

Language:
Fluency in English (French is an advantage)

 
EVALUATION PROCESS:

Desk Review of qualified candidates, based on:
1. Financial quote at a daily rate in US Dollars
2. CV/Resume
3. Two References

Applications should be submitted online through www.unicef.org/about/employ. Requisition no: 514065. 

Applications must be received by 6 July 2018 5:00pm CET.

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. 

Successful applicants were evaluated by the following criteria:

PAYMENT TERMS:
Payment will be aligned to deliverables as agreed when contracted.  All deliverables to be approved prior to payment.

RENUMERATION:
Payment commensurate with experience.  Travel costs and DSA for duty travel will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations.  No other remunerations apply. 

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:
 
(a) 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. 
 
(b) 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

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

(b) 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.