Consultancy: Technical Writer: Comprehensive global technical guidance to support national supply chain agencies develop and deploy GS1 enabled track and Trace Systems for vaccines and other

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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:

The pharmaceutical international development community has promoted the use of global data standards to provide a wider and harmonized framework for supply chain visibility, strengthening anti-counterfeiting measures and sharing of data between parties[1]. In this context, the Inter-Agency Supply Chain Group (ISG), with World Health Organisation (WHO) as the host, issued a note in 2017 supporting recommendations to:

1. Work with countries in creating policy frameworks to support GS1 standards adoption.
2. Align national supply chain policies regarding standards harmonization.
3. Support & encourage investment in digital infrastructure in countries to implement national product traceability systems.

This is based on the acknowledgement that GS1, a not-for-profit organisation, has developed a vast number of harmonised tools and standards for data identification, capture and sharing. The data standards used as identifiers for products circulating in global pharmaceutical supply chains are predominantly GS1 and are the de facto global standards. To this end, UNICEF continues to support global track and trace/traceability initiatives and supply chain digitalisation efforts that leverage GS1 standards.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has further amplified the need for secure immutable supply chains and has accelerated efforts to deploy traceability solutions that countries can quickly adopt. The global demand of COVID-19 vaccines has been an upsurge in the production and distribution of falsified and sub-standard vaccines and related COVID-19 supplies, particularly those reported in the media as potential therapies for COVID-19. This trend is expected to continue as COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics become more available. The development of one of the most valuable vaccines in history has also driven the proliferation of falsified COVID-19 vaccines, diversions and theft to degrees not seen before. The highest risk is in low- and middle-income countries where national supply chains, governance structures and traceability systems are non-existent or not yet fully mature. In addition, tools and technical capacity to ensure good practices in manufacturing, quality control and monitoring of distribution chains are limited. To this end solutions that provide countries with mechanisms to monitor national supply chains of vaccines and other health technologies is imperative to ensure equitable access, safety, and security.

UNICEF is currently working with various global partner organisations (including BMGF, GAVI, Global Fund, USAID, WHO, World Bank) as part of a global health community supporting low- and middle-income countries prepare for and implement traceability systems that would significantly reduce the risk of proliferation of falsified pharmaceuticals, vaccines and other health technologies. Part of this work includes development and dissemination of global guidance, best practice frameworks and training materials that countries can use as they build out their national traceability systems. UNICEF now seeks to recruit an individual consultant to develop and disseminate GS1 enabled traceability guidance materials for use by low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE:

The broad objective of the assignment is to accelerate and lay the foundation for medium to long term digitalization of supply chains in regulated/unregulated markets in low and middle income countries using GS1 standards and incrementally enable real time product visibility and authentication capabilities at country level.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

This assignment entails developing traceability guidance materials and best practice frameworks to support EPI programmes/national supply chain agencies/central medical stores in low- and middle-income countries build out GS1 enabled traceability systems. The materials developed should provide step by step guidance on how national supply chain agencies could approach, develop and deploy GS1 enabled track and trace solutions that will support management functions such as inventory control, forecasting, supply security and product recalls. This guidance must consider the general economic/social/political context prevailing in LMICs. To deliver this, the consultant will work with UNICEF Supply and Programme Divisions and extended partners of the Immunization Supply Chain Steering Committee (iSC2). All materials developed should complement existing guidance already developed by UNICEF and other global partners such as USAID and Global Fund.

The consultant will report to Monitoring Specialist, Supply Chain Strengthening Centre (Supply Division) and perform the following assignments and tasks.

1. Convene the relevant UNICEF teams and ISC2 members to secure technical input for the development of guidance documents and best practice frameworks (this includes setting up leading meetings).
2. Draft outline guidance document/best practice frameworks and secure consensus on technical content and structure from UNICEF and ISC2 partners.
3. Review existing GS1/traceability guidelines for low- and middle-income countries and other relevant technical guidance materials.
4. Draft/write the traceability guidance materials and best practice framework.
5. Support in the dissemination of the completed guidance documents/materials through various channels such as webinars/workshops etc.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

S/N

Key Deliverables

1

• Outline Technical Guide and content definition
• Chapter allocation and elicitation of inputs across partners
• Project Plan

2

• Draft guide with consolidated chapters and inputs from partners complete and shared

3

• Final draft review of comprehensive global guide
• Signoff final draft

4

• Comprehensive global technical guidance document complete and issued
• Guideline translated to other languages
• Guidance document disseminated through various channels

[1] Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, DFID, the Global Drug Facility, the Global Fund, Gavi, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, USAID, World Bank, WFP and WHO

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

Advanced, post-graduate degree is required, preferably in relevant field (e.g. computer/data science, statistics, business/public administration, public health, supply chain management, psychology or other quantitative degree).

Work Experience:

At least 10 years work experience working in GS1 trace and trace systems and general supply chain management at country and global level. Experience in health care traceability is an added advantage.

• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in product traceability, supply chain management; and installation, piloting and/or scaling of eLMIS systems in LMICs contexts.
• Experience working with low- middle-income (implementing) countries; utilizing project management skills; and been accountable for delivering results within a team.
• Technical knowledge on GS1-enabled traceability and associated IT solutions; vaccine and pharma manufacturer labeling and/or supply chain operations in low resource settings.
• Knowledge of private sector traceability solutions and their effectiveness; and managing diverse teams with complimentary but different skills sets and experience.
• Experience working with Government regulatory authorities, National EPI agencies or ministries of public health
• Country Experience in supporting national traceability systems; supporting health system strengthening; or bringing supply chain innovations to scale for commercial or public sectors.
• Knowledge of writing users’ manuals for deploying solutions in low IT coverage and IT literacy environments
• Demonstrated technical ability to write guidance materials/manuals/best practice frameworks
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and executes ideas
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization; experience working LMIC contexts.

• Excellent computer skills

• Fluency in English (written and verbal), speaking/reading; French desirable

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. A technical proposal with proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy in USD per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate in USD.
4. As applicable, for consultants requiring initial travel to duty station, estimate amount for round-trip most economical and direct travel, in addition to lump sum for daily subsistence allowance. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). Travel as required/agreed with the Supervisor during the consultancy will be reimbursed on actuals upon receipt of supporting documents and invoices.
5. CV.
6. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
7. At least 2 References

Queries can be sent to: Innocent Dube ([email protected]) with subject line “Consultancy: Technical Writer - Comprehensive global technical guidance to support national supply chain agencies develop and deploy GS1 enabled track and Trace Systems for vaccines and other health technologies.”

Please indicate your availability and daily rate in USD to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a rate per day 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. Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

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.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

1. Core Values
   • Commitment
   • Diversity and Inclusion
   • Integrity
2. Core Competencies
   • Communication
   • Drive for Results
3. Key Functional Competencies
   • Analysing
   • Planning and Organizing

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

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.

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.