Consultancy: Senior Coordinator to the Interagency Supply Chain Group, Supply Chain Strengthening Centre, Supply Division, Cph

UNICEF Supply Division is looking for a consultant to act as Senior Coordinator to an Interagency Supply Chain Group

Consultancy: Senior Coordinator to the Interagency Supply Chain Group

UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen

Duration: 6 months.

Location: Off-site with periodic travel to UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Travel: Travel costs and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations.

Start Date: 1^st April 2020.

BACKGROUND & RATIONALE:

The Inter Agency Supply Chain Group (ISG) is a partnership of major supply chain actors (agencies) involved in providing supply chain support to countries. The group is informal in nature, meets on a quarterly basis (twice remotely) with the purpose of deepening agency collaboration and cooperation with the aim of increasing efficiencies in the way supply chain investments are made for and with countries. 

The supply chain actors (agencies) include Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Department for International Development (DFID), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), The Global Fund (TGF), The Global Drug Facility (GDF), Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation (NORAD), World Bank Group (WBG), GAVI, The Vaccines Alliance, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Unites States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank Group (WBG),World Health Organization (WHO), German Development Bank (KfW) and World Food Program (WFP).

UNICEF will provide administrative support to a consultant to coordinate and facilitate the ISG, but the individual is expected to remain impartial to any one agency for the purposes of optimizing the ISG supply chain actors’ efforts to deliver on the ISG purpose.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:

UNICEF is looking for a senior consultant to provide impartial coordination, proactive facilitation and technical and strategic level support to the ISG.  These functions are essential for realizing the purpose of the ISG. The consultant will support ISG agencies to deepen collaboration and cooperation with the aim of increasing efficiencies in the way supply chain investments are made for and with countries.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

Working under the guidance of the ISG Chair and workstream leads, the consultant’s duties and responsibilities include:

• Maintain and update the global ISG work plan through constant communication and contact with ISG agency points of contact.
• Outline global technical and policy issues warranting interagency collaboration, in support ISG agencies, and in coordination with the Chair. Support ISG agencies to align alongside domains of the ISG work plan. Periodically update these plans based on agency priorities and interests.
• Build consensus on key issues; work with the ISG agencies to write position papers and policy briefs. Represent the ISG at conferences and other meetings as required.
• Facilitate 4 annual ISG meetings (2 face-to-face and 2 remote) with the Chair. Support the ISG agencies in setting a current and applicable meeting agenda; support operations and logistics for quarterly ISG meetings.
• Monitor progress toward achieving ISG activities and agreements following ISG meetings. Facilitate, support and participate in interagency discussions toward making progress on agreed upon deliverables.
• Raise awareness within the ISG agencies on in-country bottlenecks related to advancing national supply-chain system strengthening efforts that may require greater support or interventions from global or regional level.
• Liaise and facilitate engagement with partners outside the ISG, including other global health forums, development partners, donors, civil society and private sector as required.
• Facilitate information sharing and intelligence gathering for the ISG agencies on supply chains, health system strengthening, universal health care, access to medicines, private sector engagement in health and other related topics, and create an environment of information transparency and visibility.
• Advocate for, maintain and disseminate stronger evidence-based decision making by the agencies investing in supply chain, including the coordination of investments.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

• ISG workplan, including deliverables and accountabilities.
• ISG meeting minutes and regular communications with ISG agencies on status of workplan and next steps.
• Communication and advocacy plan for SC transformation – targeted to key stakeholders and transformative agents.
• Facilitate production of key knowledge products in the ISG workplan; oversee the production of key advocacy materials which outline the goals and mission of the ISG; produce an annual report on key results, challenges and opportunities; and manage a knowledge database.

Further specification on individual activities will be specified and agreed after contracted.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

A completed Advanced University degree (master’s Degree) preferably in relevant field in social sciences, public health, international development studies or another relevant field is required. Applicable work experience can substitute in cases where university degree is not aligned to a relevant field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of work experience at the senior level in supply chain management or logistics.
• Experience in participating/facilitating/collaborating with multi-stakeholder groups
• Experience of managing health/logistics programs/operations in developing country context an asset
• Familiarity with development agency mandates, international health and economic policies, or global health initiatives (partnerships) to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Diplomatic skills exemplified by working with international donors, implementing governments, NGOs and other partners to set and achieve common goals is desirable.

Competencies:

• Commitment
• Diversity Integrity
• Communications & Networking
• Drive for Results

Technical Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of country donor environment for supply chain strengthening.
• Familiarity with development agencies and the range of global health partnerships
• Experience in developing evidence briefs and academic writing
• Strong evidence of teamwork and excellent facilitation skills.
• Excellent diplomatic and communication skills

Language: Full working proficiency in English is required and working proficiency in another UN language, preferably French would be a strong asset.

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:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote for the consultancy in USD per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate in USD.
3. CV.
4. 3 References

Applications must be submitted through the UNICEF electronic application system by 24^th February 2020. Please indicate your availability and rate per deliverable in USD to undertake the terms of reference above.  Applications submitted without a rate per deliverable in USD will not be considered. Currency of payment will be agreed upon at time of contracting.

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply.

UNICEF considers best value for money as a criterion 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 will be invited to a telephone interview and candidate will be selected based on the following criteria: