Consultancy: Project Coordinator, UNICEF Last Mile Supply Monitoring Project, Monitoring Strategic Data and Evidence Unit, SD, Copenhagen

Contract

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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:

UNICEF procured $3.2 billion worth of goods in 2020, with over 50% of those goods procured through UNICEF country programmes. UNICEF works in more than 193 countries and territories and in many of them, UNICEF country programmes are often implemented with support from partner organizations, who, among other activities, distribute the supplies to the beneficiaries in order to help meet children’s basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

The Last Mile Supply Monitoring Project is led by UNICEF Supply Division’s Monitoring Strategic Data and Evidence Unit (MSDEU) and implemented in collaboration with Information Technology and Communication Division (ICTD) and Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM). The project aims to standardize data collection related to supplies from implementing partners and explore innovative data technologies to increase data visibility leading up to the handover of supplies to end-users or intended beneficiaries via UNICEF’s implementing partners. In line with UNICEF’s organizational strategic focus on digitalization, the goal of the project is to better understand how for example schools, hospitals and children benefit from UNICEF’s supply programmes through the improved management and integrated reporting of supply data outside of UNICEF’s current systems.

MSDEU is responsible for monitoring, measuring performance and optimizing supply chains through use of data in SD procurement centers, Regional and Country Offices. Leveraging the internal experience with supply chain data use, MSDEU also supports country governments in their use of supply chain data for decision making and increased visibility of supplies at all levels of the supply chain. Within MSDEU, this consultancy is in the team that implements and supports projects to strengthen both UNICEF’s and country government visibility and use of data in the supply chain. The project has dedicated staff whose expertise ranges from supply chain, data, monitoring and information technology. Under the supervision of the Monitoring Specialist in MSDEU, this full-time consultant will work closely with the project staff members and with several internal and external stakeholders in headquarter divisions and in countries.

OBJECTIVE:

The consultant will work on the Last Mile Supply Monitoring Project and will be responsible for coordinating and providing technical support to the successful and timely implementation of the activities under this project.

How can you make a difference?

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Monitoring Specialist in MSDEU in the following two main work areas. In addition, there will be work related to supporting supply inclusion in programme planning and other tasks that may arise over the contract period.

Support implementation of Proof of Concept for Last Mile Supply Monitoring Application

The proof of concept will be implemented in collaboration with an academic institution using technology such as Blockchain. There will be four phases: 1) exploration and scoping, 2) developing the prototype, 3) piloting the prototype and 4) documenting the proof of concept. The consultant will be involved in all these phases and will play a leading role in the exploration and scoping involving development and implementation of surveys, key informant interviews, analysis of available data, and development of use cases. Additionally, the consultant is expected to play a leading role in the piloting phase in terms of designing the pilot and play a leading role in the implementation of the pilot. Finally, the consultant will support the mapping of relevant technologies for the UNICEF Last Mile Supply Monitoring Application.

Coordination of key stakeholders

As a cross-division project with heavy reliance on country level colleagues’ inputs, there will be a big task in keeping all stakeholders continuously updated on the project. The consultant will arrange, plan and facilitate regular meetings for the core project group and for the reference group consisting of Country Office colleagues.

In summary, the key responsibilities are:

• Coordinate the exploration and scoping for the Last Mile Supply Monitoring Application prototype including organizing the key informant meetings and/or focus group discussions, developing a survey in a relevant software, facilitating and/or participating in meetings with key stakeholders, analyzing the survey data and developing a concise report summarizing the findings. This report will be the basis for identification of users and the development of use cases
• Provide technical support to the development of use cases and requirements for the Blockchain Last Mile Supply Monitoring Application prototype and participate, as needed, in the writing of the use cases
• Lead the design of the pilot for the Last Mile Supply Monitoring Application prototype, prepare for the pilot including ensuring UNICEF Country Office engagement, serve as the focal point between SD and pilot countries before, during and after the pilot implementation
• Contribute to the documentation of the proof of concept both through technical inputs but also development of agreed written material such as lessons learned from the piloting phase and other materials that are required for UNICEF to make a decision on whether to scale up to full use of the application within UNICEF or not
• Support the mapping of relevant technologies for the Last Mile Supply Monitoring Application
• Serve as a focal point for the Last Mile Monitoring project including management and coordination of stakeholder contributions, organize project update meetings, prepare communication material including handouts, presentations, etc. as required
• Project management including tracking implementation against work plans, updating work plans when phases are planned, and other project management tasks assigned.

The consultant is expected to be flexible and take on tasks, as required and beyond the key deliverables, during the full duration of the consultancy contract. The consultant will be part of the MSDEU team and will attend team meetings and events.

DELIVERABLES:

• Report summarizing the learnings from the exploration and scoping activities
• Application prototype pilot design including, but not necessarily limited to, descriptions of countries involved, trainings required, timelines and expected output
• Lessons learned report from the application prototype pilot
• Key stakeholders, including the core project group and the reference group, are continuously updated on the project and involved in key decision-making
• Exploration and scoping phase implemented as per work plan
• Application prototype pilot implemented as per work plan

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

Education: A completed advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in pharmacy, public health, supply chain, development studies, international relations, information technology or relevant field is required. A relevant first level university degree in the above areas combined with 8 years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience, including with implementation and piloting of electronic solutions in a large organization and across countries.
• Work experience with supply chains in development settings and/or within UNICEF, and in-country work with civil society organizations
• Proven skills in project management, preferably in multi-country projects, and strong organizational skills
• Proven ability to work with different geographical locations
• Excellent presentation and written communication skills
• Experience with Blockchain is an asset
• Work experience within UNICEF, the UN or a similar organization / NGO is preferred
• Language: Proficiency in English is required. Fluency in French is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

• To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote for the consultancy which must include: the total consultancy fee (broken down into daily rate in US Dollars and number of consultancy days), travel costs (with details of the economy class ticket price) and administrative fees.
3. CV.
4. At least 2 references
5. P 11 form

Applications must be submitted through the UNICEF electronic application system by 17 May 2021. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.

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. Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance. The consultant will be paid monthly. As a full-time consultant UNICEF will pay for UN holidays and the consultant will accrue 1.5 days of paid days off per month. In case of any duty travel, this will be paid by UNICEF according to internal rules and regulations.

Successful applicants will be evaluated by the following criteria:

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 70 points)

Score

Overall Response (20 points)

Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response

Overall match between the TOR requirements and proposal

Technical Capacity (50 points)

Relevance of consultant’s experience with similar projects and as per required qualifications

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION - Total Points

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 30 points)

Daily rate

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL - Weight Combined Score

TOTAL SCORE (max. 100 points)

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.

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.