Consultancy - Technical Assistance for Health Procurement Strengthening, Windhoek, Namibia (Open for both Namibia Nationals and Internationals)

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.

For every child, a fair chance

Please note that this is a re-post of an advert and we kindly request those who initially applied should not apply.

Scope of Work

The Health Sector Public Expenditure Review (2019) identified a number of inefficiencies in health procurement as significant bottlenecks that contribute to the mismatch between Namibia’s health outcomes and significant health sector investments. The inefficiencies in pharmaceutical and clinical supplies procurement often result in sub-optimal purchase prices and stock outs of essential medicines, thereby disrupting service delivery, particularly at the local level and for underserved communities.

To further unpack and address these challenges, the Ministry of Finance (MoF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Social Services (MoHSS), Health Departments and Organizations, and with financial support from UNICEF, commissioned a study entitled, “strengthening Health Procurement for Impacts in 2021. The study adopted a highly interactive bottleneck analysis and problem-solving dialogue approaches in identifying key recommendations for improving health procurement in Namibia. The full Report can be downloaded here. In the same breath the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting the MoHSS through the Strengthening Namibia’s Pharmaceutical Supply Chains through infrastructure and digitalization programme. It is within this framework that UNDP aims to support the change management activities leading to improved operations of the Central Medical Stores.

Whilst some of the recommendations from the study, particularly the regulatory issues, are already being implemented through the on-going Procurement Act Amendments, some administrative and policy issues will be addressed through the Reference Group. The Reference Group was established as part of the Recommendations from the Study to ensure accountability and oversight, needed to enhance the implementation of the recommendations.

The Reference Group consists of representatives from the MoF, Central Procurement Board of Namibia, and MoHSS (CMS, PMU). The Reference Group provides a platform for continuous discussion of PFM/Procurement challenges, solutions and monitoring their implementation.

In order to support the work of the Reference Group and facilitate the smooth implementation of the agreed recommendations, there is need to engage a dedicated Project Manager. It is against this background that UNICEF, on behalf of the MoF, as Chair of the Reference Group, is seeking to engage the services of a highly experienced consultant to provide technical backstopping to the Reference Group.

The Consultant is expected to provide technical assistance to the Refence Group and lead development, implementation, and monitoring of the Project Charter to translate into action and results, the recommendations from the study on Strengthening Health Procurement for Impact and other actions agreed by the Reference Group.

Objectives and expected results: Specifically, the Consultant is expected to: i. Provide technical assistance to the Refence Group and lead the development of a Project Charter, based on the findings of the study on Strengthening Health Procurement for Impact and oversee the Charter’s implementation. ii. Support the coordination and convening of the Reference Group for Health Sector Procurement to deliberate oh PFM/ Health procurement challenges and solutions. iii. Provide regular technical advisory to the Hon. Ministers of Finance and Health & Social Services on the progress, challenges and strategic recommendations for health sector procurement as informed by the recommendations from analyses and the work of the Reference Group

Main Tasks: To achieve the set objectives, the Consultant is expected to perform the following specific tasks:

1. Support coordination and convening of the Reference Group.

2. Lead development of Project Charter, with clearly mapped out processes and timelines for the implementation of recommendations from the Study on Strengthening Health Procurement for Impact. These includes: • Identify key personnel gaps (competencies and numbers) for the institutions involved in public procurement and financial management of the pharmaceutical and clinical supplies within MoHSS-CMS, PPU and CPBN. • Identify capacity building needs and tailor-made trainings to address the identified skills/ technical gaps at PPU, CMS and CBP as per recommendation 3.1 and 3.2 • Convene systems management and ICT teams for IFMS and SYSPRO to ensure coordinated joint planning for reporting and consensus of financial and procurement management linkages (recommendation 4.1)

• Provide technical support for development of 3-year framework agreements, establishing linkages with the Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks (recommendation 5.1 and 8.1) • Lead the development of guidance notes to operationalize pooled procurement (recommendation 5.1) • Support the MHSS to develop and implement measures to control ordering by health facilities, including allocating budgets per District, inserting allocated budgets into FESC and assigning responsibility for monitoring pharmaceutical expenditure at District and Regional level (recommendation 5.4) • Support development of standard operating procedure (SOP) and templates, and advance cash-flow projections and agreements to inform timing and frequency of funds release for health sector procurement (recommendation 6.2). • Develop guidelines and SOPs for the MHSS to conduct routine internal financial audits at CMS and ensure that recommendations are fully implemented (recommendation 6.3). • Support inter-ministerial negotiations for consensus on terms and timing of threshold revisions, including undertaking some analysis to inform decision making on the optimal threshold for health procurement, balancing the need for strong financial management vis-à-vis efficient procurement system (recommendation 7).

3. Provide regular updates to the Hon. Ministers of the two Ministries, providing executive summary of progress and challenges with stepwise recommendation.

Work Assignment Overview

Deliverables/Outputs:

Tasks/Milestone

Timeline

1. Inception Report

1. Inception phase

1 month

2. Project Charter with clear timelines and deliverables

2. Development of a Project Charter in consultation with the Reference Group

1 month

3. Personnel Needs Assessment Report and Capacity Building Plan

3. Identify personnel gaps and develop capacity building needs for the key institutions involved in procurement

1 month

4. Progress Reports on Agreed Actions

4. Convene systems management and ICT teams for IFMS and SYSPRO to ensure coordinated joint planning for reporting and consensus of financial and procurement management linkages

1 month

5. Template for 3-year framework Agreement and actual 3-year framework Agreement for current year.

5. Support the development of 3-year framework agreements linked to MTEF

1 month

6. Templates and SOPs for pooled procurement

6. Lead the development of guidance notes to operationalize pooled procurement1 month7. Measures to control ordering at district and regional levels developed and implemented

7. Support the MoHSS to develop and implement measures to control ordering by health facilities at district and regional levels1 month8. SoPs on cash-flow projections developed

8. Development SOPs and templates, and advance cash-flow projections and agreements to inform timing and frequency of funds release for health sector procurement1 month9. Guidelines and SOPs for routine internal audits developed and disseminated to MHSS

9. Develop guidelines and SOPs for the MHSS to conduct routine internal financial audits at CMS and ensure that recommendations are fully implemented1 month10. Analysis Report, Minutes of dialogue on optimal threshold for health procurement

10. Support inter-ministerial dialogue and analysis to determine optimal threshold for health procurement1 month11. Ministerial Briefs, Advisory Notes, and implementation Progress Reports

11. Advisory to the Ministers of Finance and Health on recommended reforms and implementation modalities1 month12. Final Report outlining achievements and key next steps

End of Project1 month

How can you make a difference?

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Project Management, Economics, Public Health, Public Management, Pharmaceuticals, Health Administration, Health Management. A qualification in pharmaceutical and clinical supplies will be an added advantage

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years' experience in project management in public management, public health, public procurement, pharmaceutical and clinical supplies • Previous work experience with ministries of health and finance, UN Agencies or other partners in health procurement is a merit • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills • Strong coordination, convening and persuasive skills • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications • Strong verbal and written communication skills • Ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision and without compromising quality and integrity • Must be able to work in a team with diversity
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Competency Profile

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Required Competencies • Manages ambiguity and complexity • Thinks and acts strategically • Works collaboratively with others • Drive to achieve results for impact • Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.

Administrative details:

The Consultant will be stationed at the Ministry of Finance, who shall provide him/ her with working space, internet connectivity and other related accessories including office printing and scanning facilities. The Consultant will not be provided with a computer. The Consultant will be required to provide a monthly report to UNICEF, summarizing key milestones and certified by the Executive Director for Ministry of Finance.

Administrative issues: The selection and conditions of service of consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s Policies and General Terms and Conditions for individual consultants/contractors.

No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant/contractor. Consultant/Contractor will be required to complete mandatory online courses (e.g. Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security) upon receipt of offer and before the signature of contract.

Consultant/Contractor will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants/contractors and to share an applicable proof of health insurance prior to taking up the assignment.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant

How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates can access UNICEF’s vacancies page at Vacancies | UNICEF Careers or

https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/545557?lApplicationSubSourceID= to submit an online application before the closing date.

Please submit expression of interest together with: • A cover letter, no longer than 1 page, and curriculum vitae showing how the consultant meets the required qualifications, experience and expertise; • Technical Proposal demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the ToRs, the proposed methodology/approach and timelines for the respective deliverables; • Examples of previous work undertaken; and • A financial proposal/budget, which must include all expenses related to the assignment.

Incomplete applications e.g. without financial/budget proposal will not be considered. If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

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.