Consultant - Logistics, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support and guidance on the logistics of the pressure swing adsorption oxygen generating plants of the Ministry of Health during emergencies.

Background

During COVID-19 pandemic, enormous logistics supports, procurement and supply of consumables and equipment from a multitude of partners were provided to Lao PDR, particularly to the Ministry of Health (MoH). These supports included donations of oxygen-related equipment and related procurement activities through UNITAID, the Global Fund (GF), USAID, and WHO. WHO supported a significant proportion of these equipment and supplies notably the three (3) pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generating plants to three (3) Provincial Hospitals of Savanakhet, Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces in addition to one PSA plant procured with the support of the GF in Champasak Provincial Hospital. Although the 3 PSA plants have been successfully installed and commissioned, there is critical need for WHO to continue technical assistance in the early stage of ownership of the Ministry of Health as well as coordination with other development partners in the country to leverage the oxygen capacity of the country.

Besides, it is also necessary for WHO to strengthen mechanism for emergency preparedness such as Emergency Medical Team (EMT), inter agency coordinated logistic support to the government.

The contracted consultant will provide technical guidance in the operation of the PSA plants which includes providing advice and guidance to address issues related to daily operation, coordination with suppliers and development partners on the capacity-building related to the plant and equipment operation. The consultant will support WCO in its efforts to set up EMT and inter-agency coordinated support to the government for emergency responses. Furthermore, the consultant will provide technical guidance on the improvement of procurement and logistics plan for emergency with focus on the long-term and sustainability of the PSA plants and piping system across the country.

Deliverables

Under the direct guidance of Programme and Administrative Officer, in coordination with technical units of the country office and collaboration with the Procurement Officer of the Mekong Hub, the consultant is expected to:

Output/s

Output 1: Plan to support the sustainability of the PSA plants and piping system supported by WHO to Ministry of Health and support the implementation of the plan

Deliverable 1.1 : Plan to improve sustainability and ownership of the government of the PSA plants by September 2024 Deliverable 1.2 : Technical advices and guidance documents related to the daily operation of the PSA plants Deliverable 1.3 : Coordination with the regional office, PSA plants suppliers and development partners in the area of oxygen support to leverage oxygen capacity of the country Deliverable 1.4: Procurement status report on delivery of PSA goods and equipment by Sep 2024 Deliverable 1.5: Coordinated trainings on PSA operation within quarter 3, 2024

Output 2: Work with WCO Technical Units and counterparts on strengthening national logistics systems to support preparedness and response operations

Deliverable 2.1 : Liaise closely with technical units within WCO and relevant counterparts in the Ministry of Health to establish and support the establishment of the EMT by Dec 2024 Deliverable 2.2 : Liaise closely with the WHE and other UN logistic focal point of the inter-agency contingency plan by Dec 2024 Deliverable 2.3: Develop a guide on EMT and inter-agency coordinated logistic support for emergency by Sep 2024

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational qualification

Essential: A university degree in public or business administration or logistic management, logistics, supply chain management or engineering/social science related field. Desirable: Professional certification/qualification in areas such as transport, distribution and supply chain management. Degree or training in information management systems and their application to logistic, transport or supply management and monitoring, including training in cold chain management system.

Experience required:

Essential: At least five years’ related experience in managing emergency logistics operations and humanitarian supply chain management in low-resource environment. With at least three years’ experience in logistics and supply chain and pharmacy at international level. Desirable: Experience in managing emergency logistic operations and humanitarian supply chain management including civil/construction works. With prior experience in LAO PDR in logistics.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Demonstrated knowledge in emergency logistics management with proven ability to identify and solve technical problems in difficult circumstances
• Knowledge of WHO and/or UN system.
• Proficient in standard office software applications
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Ability to be flexible and respond to change
• Good communication skills

Language requirements:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Location

On site : Vientiane Capital

Travel

The Consultant may be expected to travel within the country to carry out mission/s, if needed.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: TBD Duration : 6 months, 25 June to 31 December 2024

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. • Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. • A written test may be used as a form of screening. • If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. • For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. • The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected] • An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice. • WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates. • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. • Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. • WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO. • Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected]. • In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.

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