Consultancy: Redefinition of the Vaccine Procurement Practitioners Network (VPPN) and Vaccine Procurement Practitioners Exchange Forum (VPPEF) goal Facilitator, VC, UNICEF Supply Division, H

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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.

For every child, care

How can you make a difference?

BACKGROUND

UNICEF Supply Division (SD) has identified strengthening national vaccine procurement practices as a key component of its approach to supporting Gavi transitioning and other middle-income countries (MICs) in ensuring sustainable access to and timely supply of affordable vaccines. Included in the scope of procurement capacity needs are procurement activities (for example, market intelligence, analysis, development of procurement strategies, tendering and order management, etc.).

In alignment with the Immunization Agenda 2030, facilitating and fostering peer-to-peer learning by building on the experience of different countries and experts has a significant potential to provide a way for in-country expertise development, ultimately leading to improved vaccine procurement outcomes for the benefit of children.

To this end, UNICEF Supply Division has been supporting countries by facilitating such learning via multiple projects. This includes hosting the annual Vaccine Procurement Practitioners Exchange Forum (VPPEF) since 2015. This event, albeit by definition time-limited, is a unique opportunity to allow procurement practitioners from different countries/regions to network with and learn from peers and to catalyze momentum for future continuous exchanges. Since its launch, it has evolved greatly to become a well-established forum serving all self-procuring countries. In addition, UNICEF Supply Division established a community of practice in 2016, to further the aims of the VPPEF by initiating the Vaccine Procurement Practitioners Network (VPPN).

In 2021, UNICEF contracted an external consultant to conduct an assessment of the VPPEF/N since their inception describing the main achievements to date, the impacts of the capacity building initiatives on countries procurement capacities and formulating recommendations on way forward in alignment with the Theory of Change.

OBJECTIVES

As a result of the first recommendation of the VPPEF/N assessment, it was decided to hire a facilitator to design and implement a collaborative and engaging process to allow a large representation of the VPPEF/N community practitioners (i.e. members of the community of practice, partners, UNICEF staff) to reach a lasting agreement on the redefined goal of the VPPEF/N. The redefined goal will set the basis for the implementation of further actions which will contribute more efficiently to the strengthening of the procurement practitioners’ capacity in vaccine procurement.

The current goal of the VPPEF/N is: “*to serve as a platform for continuous exchange of theoretical and practical knowledge, joint learning and collaborative problem solving related to vaccine procurement in MICs & Gavi Transitioning Countries**.”*

The result of this consultancy will be to receive the community’s buy-in on a clearer goal that will help UNICEF vaccine procurement strengthening team to design a more specific, measurable, and achievable Knowledge Sharing Strategy and provide the basis for numerous other decisions, including deciding staffing configurations and priority activities, the purpose of the VPPN Group’s website, and membership criteria.

The expected methodology used to collect the data should include some of the following: interviews/ surveys with key stakeholders, participatory discussions, among other methods the consultant will deem fit.

KEY DELIVERABLES

Phase 1 Deliverable Deliverable #1: Inception report - Methodology - Implementation plan - Expected outcomes Expected delivery: Before 20th April 2022

Phase 2 Deliverable Deliverable #2: Re-definition of goal - Collection of inputs based on implementation plan - Consensus on the re-definition of goal - Executive summary of the analysis (max.10 pages) Expected delivery: 2 May 2022

Phase 3

Deliverable #3: Dissemination Plan - Presentation of the outcome of the analysis - Final report - Validation Expected delivery: 31 May 2022

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• 100% of contract amount to be paid at the end of Phase 3.

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

Education: First University degree with 2 additional years of relevant work experience or a Master Degree in Business, Public Health / Procurement, Development, (Health) Economics, or in another relevant discipline.

Work Experience:

• Experience in designing virtual processes, with an emphasis on determining stakeholder groups, crafting appropriate questions, using online interactive tools for brainstorming/prioritizing and consensus building.
• Proven record of experience in facilitating virtual processes, with an emphasis on strategic planning, brainstorming, ideas generation, synthesizing ideas, building consensus and reporting/validating the outcomes of the process.
• Knowledge of/experience with Communities of Practice
• Knowledge of designing and implementing theory of change is an asset
• Experience with qualitative/ quantitative research methods
• Experience with measuring the impact of education/skills-building efforts
• Substantial experience working with governments and health teams
• Working knowledge of the UN, UNICEF experience is preferred
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken; knowledge of other languages (e.g. French) an asset
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships with both headquarters and field staff

Competencies: The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following competencies that are necessary to this consultancy:

UNICEF Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

UNICEF Core Competencies

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Drives to achieve impactful results
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Works Collaboratively with others

Functional Competencies

• Works independently and is problem-solving oriented.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrates communication and relationship-building skills.

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates/companies are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/proposal
2. Financial quote at a daily rate in US Dollars including all taxes
3. Highest Education Degree (scanned copy)
4. UN P11
5. Examples of previous, relevant work
6. At least 3 References from previous direct Supervisors ( email and phone contact if applicable)

Applications must be submitted through the UNICEF electronic application system by 13 March. Please indicate your availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.

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. Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

Applications that meet minimum requirements will be assessed by the following breakdown: 70% Technical Proposal / 30% Financial Proposal.

NB: 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.

Successful applicants will be evaluated by the following criteria:

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 75 points) Overall Response (25 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 References FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 25 points) Daily rate Relocation expenses Total estimated cost of contract (proposed contract fee only) FINANCIAL PROPOSAL - Weight Combined Score TOTAL SCORE (max. 100 points)

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.