Consultancy - Provide Technical assistance to support the design & procurement of large size cold rooms at National medical Stores warehouse for Both International & National professionals 6 months

UNICEF Uganda is looking for a consultant to provide the key technical expertise in refrigeration systems to the NMS Contract Administrator for the warehouse project. Support Contract Administrator to develop the detailed drawings and specifications for the cold and freezer rooms, based on PQS specifications; and support the UNICEF CO, NMS and MoH during installation processes, by providing inputs as required, supervising activities, cross checking accuracy/completeness of information provided by the Contract Administrator and reporting back to UNICEF highlighting risks or aspects that might have been overlooked and need to be addressed.

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.

For every child, a fair chance

Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path. Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

Visit this link for more information on Uganda Country Office https://www.unicef.org/uganda/

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the UNICEF Uganda Supply & Logistics Manager and Chief Stores and Operations, NMS, and in collaboration with UNICEF Supply Division Cold Chain Technical Unit, the consultant will provide the key technical expertise in refrigeration systems to the NMS Contract Administrator for the warehouse project. The tasks are split in two phases: Pre-contract stage: support Contract Administrator to develop the detailed drawings and specifications for the cold and freezer rooms, based on PQS specifications; and Post-contract stage: support the UNICEF CO, NMS and MoH during installation processes, by providing inputs as required, supervising activities, cross checking accuracy/completeness of information provided by the Contract Administrator and reporting back to UNICEF highlighting risks or aspects that might have been overlooked and need to be addressed.

Background:

Towards achieving high immunization coverage while introducing new vaccines through equity-focused vaccination program, the need for effective immunization supply chain remains vital. Efficient supply chains equipped with reliable cold chain equipment are important in helping countries primarily to reaching children with potent lifesaving vaccines to protect them against vaccine preventable diseases and subsequently increase immunization coverage.

As countries improve their immunization coverage and expand the scope of their EPI programmes through initiatives such as introduction of new vaccines and Effective Vaccine Management, the need to more reliable and bigger size cold chain equipment becomes important.

In Uganda, the National Medical Stores (NMS) has the mandate to manage the supply chain for vaccines and other inputs for the immunization programme. The current Central Vaccine Store managed by NMS in Entebbe has significant capacity limitations, especially as new, bulkier vaccines are introduced into the Uganda immunization schedule. With the on-going construction of a new NMS central warehouse in Kajjansi (completion expected by end of 2019), there is an obvious opportunity to enhance the cold storage capacity at central level.

In this context, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) is providing financial support to Uganda via UNICEF under the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) grant to, amongst other aspects, improve cold storage capacity. Procuring and installing a Drive in Cold Room (DICR) of approximately 1,200 cubic meters in the new NMS warehouse is one component of that support. The construction of the main warehouse structure has been contracted by National Medical Stores under a Design & Build contract modality to a local construction company.  The contract includes the provision of the necessary space for the DICR to be installed. The construction company is supervised by an independent Engineering Company/Contract Administrator, also contracted by NMS and responsible for project management, quality assurance and overall coordination.

UNICEF is therefore seeking technical support, in the form of a consultancy equivalent to 6 months of full-time work to support the UNICEF CO, National Medical Stores and MoH UNEPI to streamline the procurement procedure for large size cold rooms required under this project.

 Key Tasks: 

1. assess and follow up with stakeholders to ensure that site is ready before installation of the cold rooms (based on the protocol E01/CR-FR01-VP2.1) and propose an update of this protocol.
2. Propose the best design that will maximize storage space for each category of commodities (pharmaceutical, HIV/AIDS reagents, EPI, etc.)
3. Based on the building set up and information gathered from stakeholders (mainly MoH/NMS), propose a volume configuration for the cold rooms and provide recommendations thereof.
4. In consultation with all stakeholders, identify the optimal service requirement for the installation of large size cold rooms and prepare a generic TOR for provision of services such as temperature mapping and installation services.
5. Considering points a,b,c above, engage with all stakeholders to draft technical specifications and requirements specific to the cold rooms to ensure completeness and appropriateness, and provide these as inputs to the NMS Contract Administrator for the warehouse construction project.
6. Review the final documents produced by the Contract Administrator to verify accurateness and completeness, and provide supplementing information when required
7. Advise CO on technical matters relating to the implementation of the installation of the large size cold rooms, clarify and improve specifications in case inadequacies are observed, detect possible gaps and propose substitute or alternative approaches as necessary.
8. Support technical aspects of the procurement process, including participation in the evaluation and award, if required by UNICEF SD
9. After procurement has been completed and equipment is received in country, support the Contract Administrator in the supervision of the cold room installation and ensure compliance with specifications and standards.
10. Periodically monitor risks in relation to project management and report on any actions taken
11. Prepare and issue weekly and/or monthly reports and full report upon final completion.
12. Provide support in improving and conducting pre-commissioning tests according to WHO / PQS protocols  
13. Provide assistance in developing SOPs for management of large size cold rooms. Provide expert advice on how the cold room is should be managed in the long term such as maintenance, taking in to consideration, government vs private capacity.
14. Verify Temperature mapping (as per WHO “Temperature mapping of storage areas” guide ) – Please click here to see the guide.

• .      Provide user and Preventive Maintenance Training, or support the identified service provider in delivering the training, if applicable as per scope of contract with the service provider responsible for installation

16. Perform any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

Key Deliverables:

1. A work plan outlining all the specific activities to be conducted with objectives, outputs and timelines.
2. Detailed specifications, drawings and quantities for the large cold rooms
3. In coordination with stakeholders provide site readiness report before installation as per WHO/PQS/E001/CR-FR01-VP2.4.
4. Follow up installation qualification of the equipment
5. Select, install and configure the RTMD system in coordination with stakeholders.
6. Commissioning report, based on the guideline (WHO/PQS/E001/CR-FR01-VP2.4)
7. Temperature mapping report, based on the guideline (WHO/PQS/E001/CR-FR01-VP2.4)
8. Draft certificates to substantiate the completion of the installation contract
9. Risk analysis report shared and handed over with stakeholders
10. Weekly and/or monthly reports and project completion report
11. To provide capacity building for capacitate equipment users on cold chain equipment use and maintenance; Training of in-house/local repair technician(s) on periodic preventive maintenance checks and diagnostic and repair procedures
12. Produce and handover to end users training materials and SOPs for maintenance and management of large cold rooms.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Advanced university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas: HVAC / Refrigeration / Electrical / Engineering, Project Management, Data Management and Analysis or related to supply and logistics operations in UNICEF program areas.

First university degree combined with relevant professional work experience and understanding of relevant functions may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.

Minimum Eight years progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in managing Cold chain equipment, vaccine management and supply management. Work experience in managing large-scale projects, working with governments, working in resource-limited settings, monitoring and evaluating supply chains, and risk management and mitigation will be an asset.

Working with People – II, Drive for results – II, Technical skills

Product knowledge on cold chain equipment, new cold chain technologies and understanding of the principles of vaccine management, knowledge and experience working with regulatory bodies such as WHO/PQS, data management analysis and reporting are essential. Knowledge of procurement processes and good distribution practice will be an asset.

Fluency in English required. French will be an advantage

 For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

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