Consultancy: Individual Contractor: Nepal System Design analysis of vaccines and dry commodities storage, distribution and network and finalization of Supply Chain Action Plan, Supply Chain

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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.

Context and Purpose of the Consultancy:

The National Immunization Program (NIP) in Nepal is a high priority government program with a mandate to provide immunization services against 9 major vaccine preventable diseases through fixed and outreach clinics. This has resulted in immunization coverage improvements from 82% in 2010 to 91% in 2018 (WHO/UNICEF Estimates).

The Immunization Supply Chain (iSC) supports this programme performance. Vaccines are distributed via a four-tiered supply chain- received from manufacturers twice a year to the Central Vaccine Store (CVS) in Teku; from the CVS, distributed quarterly to Six (6) Provincial Vaccine Stores (PVS) in Biratnagar, Hetauda, Butwal, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi and 10 contiguous districts; seventy-seven (77) District Vaccine Stores (DVS) pick-up vaccines monthly from respective PVS; 141 Sub-stores and equipped health facilities pick up vaccines monthly from respective DVS. Dry commodities are received (nationally) into the Pathlaiya Central Medical Store and distributed via a 3PL company twice a year to seven (7) Provinces. Districts and Health Facilities pick up dry commodities monthly.

A new federal structure came into operation through the 2015 Constitution resulting in three government tiers- One (1) Federal government, Seven (7) Provincial Governments and Seven hundred and fifty-three (753) Local Governments, with no substantive role for districts. There are supply chain uncertainties related to the new federal structure which could impact immunization performances across Provinces. The role of private sector providers and the importance of tailored supply chain designs and strategies to reaching urban slums, remote districts as well as 13 low performing districts are equally critical.

How can you make a difference?

Key Tasks

The purpose of this consultancy is to analyze current and alternative options of storage, distribution and network of vaccines from primary stores in Teku and Pathlaiya to the last mile (including outreaches and mobile clinics) and to finalize the Nepal Immunization Supply Chain Action Plan (NiSCAP).

As a first step, a National NiSCAP Consultation meeting and system design concept introduction and scenarios definition workshop was held during the week of January 2020.

1. System Design
   1. Conduct a landscape analysis of the various (current) methods of storage (including number and type of storage, CCE location etc.), distribution (including transport mechanisms, frequency etc.) and network design of moving vaccines and dry commodities from the primary stores in Teku and Pathlaiya, through provincial and districts stores to all service delivery points in the country (including outreach and mobile services).
   2. Develop a set of cost and performance criteria to compare various vaccine, storage, distribution, and network design options (including cost, immunization coverage and equity).
   3. Collect data and conduct analysis to compare the various iSC (immunization supply chain) alternative options outlined by stakeholders during the system design concept introduction and scenario definition workshop (see Annex 1), based on cost and supply chain performance indicators including but not limited to total supply chain costs, total cost of immunizing a child, distribution frequencies, availability of vaccines and equitable distribution of vaccines. This should include
   4. A focused sub-national (Provincial/District) level analysis in up to thirteen (13) low performing (based on coverage, landscape, accessibility etc.) Provinces/Districts.
   5. Develop recommendations for optimizing the storage locations, distribution system and network design for iSC system (vaccines and dry commodities) in Nepal.
   6. Classify recommendations into immediate, medium-term, and long-term plan of actions.
   7. Share recommendations with Nepal stakeholders, collect feedbacks and decisions for implementation and facilitate development of costed implementation plan.
2. Nepal Immunization Supply Chain Action Plan (NiSCAP)
   1. Facilitate 7 thematic task groups (informing strategic objectives) to synthesize inputs from national and sub-national stakeholder consultations

Finalize and disseminate iSC action plan

Deliverables:

The key deliverables of the system design analysis of the vaccine and dry commodities storage, distribution and network between primary store and service delivery points in Nepal include the following:

1. A landscape analysis report on the current Nepal immunization supply chain including storage (number and type of storage, CCE location etc.), distribution (transport mechanisms, frequency etc.) and network design from the primary store in Kathmandu to all service delivery points in the country (including outreach and mobile services).
2. An end of project report including (but not limited to):
   1. A set of cost and performance criteria (as KPIs) such as vaccine availability, potency, equitable distribution, inventory cycles etc. to compare current and alternative options for vaccine storage, distribution, and network design
   2. Results of analysis comparing the various options for vaccines storage, distribution and network design outlined by stakeholders during the system design concept introduction and scenario definition workshop (see Annex 1), including focused sub-national provincial/district level analysis in up to thirteen (13) low performing (based on coverage, landscape, accessibility etc.) Province/districts
   3. Proceeds from stakeholder results sharing meeting where analysis results are shared including
   4. List of stakeholders and decision makers to whom the outlined alternative options to current storage, distribution, and network design, were shared for review and recommendations
   5. Stakeholders’ feedbacks, implementation decisions and prioritization of recommendations made based on analysis of various scenarios
   6. Immediate, medium-term, and long-term recommendations (based on the analysis conducted as above) for optimizing the storage locations, distribution system and network design for iSC system in Nepal
   7. iv. Costed system redesign implementation plan
   8. Clear linkages between planned supply chain investments and system design considerations
3. Finalized and costed Nepal Immunization Supply Chain Action Plan

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

Academic:

University degree is required (Advanced degree an advantage), preferably in relevant field (e.g., business planning, supply chain management, economics, global health, international development studies, procurement, logistics, or other quantitative degree). Applicable work experience can substitute in cases where university degree is not aligned to a relevant field.

Professional Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in international public health programme management including 3 years in immunization, with experience in resource-limited environments, preferably in the areas of:

• Supply chain operations
• Assessing and measuring supply chain performance
• Supply chain network analysis
• Supply chain bottleneck analysis
• Network/supply chain optimization
• Familiarity with inventory policies, distribution outsourcing, segmentation strategies, integration of health products, and other system design strategies

Experience interfacing with national ministries of health an advantage.

Other Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong analytical, oral & written communication skills
• Proven track record in project management with emphasis on strategic planning, communication, and evaluation
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite
• Knowledge of the environment in which UNICEF operates (i.e., global health sector)
• Excellent communicator of verbal and written concepts to an international audience
• Able to quickly understand instructions, to proactively seek clarification when needed

• Able to work well in a team environment

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Functional Competencies:

• Able to work independently and problem solving oriented

• Able to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships

• Demonstrated communication and relationship building skills

• Proven capacity to work with collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skills

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/letter of application outlining relevant experience and competencies
2. CV
3. Financial quote with a daily rate, a monthly rate and total cost of contract in US Dollars.
4. Contact details for at least 3 reference contacts (current and former employer)

Please indicate your availability and financial quote to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a financial quote will not be considered.

Annex 1

During the system design concept introduction and scenarios definition workshop, stakeholders conceptualized the following alternative scenarios to be analyzed.

Scenario description

1.

Optimized number of supply chain layers (e.g. Central, Province, District, Palikas, Sub-Centers/Stores, Health Facilities)- consider differentiated approach for Provinces/Districts/Palikas based on population and geography e.g. districts and sub-stores in Gandaki and Sudurpashim province

2.

Optimized distribution (with route optimization) methods i.e. Direct delivery or Pick-up between the supply chain layers

3.

Optimized inventory levels and distribution frequency e.g. quarterly to Provinces and monthly to districts

4.

Vaccine (and potentially other commodities) delivery through drones in mountainous districts, especially in particular seasons

5.

Optimized supply chain options for outreaches and mobile clinics

6.

Integration of ARV, ASV, Oxytocin, Magnesium sulphate, reagents, and Insulin kits with EPI supply chain up to the district level

Remarks:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.