Consultant Vacancy: Project Manager, Nutrition Forecast and Supply Planning Project, 11.5 months, Full time, MSDEC

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.

UNICEF procured nutrition supplies worth $175 million in 2021 and delivered 44,554 metric tons of ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) for 59 countries. As part of UNICEF’s responsibilities, we support countries strengthen their nutrition supply functions including in forecasting and supply planning. The Monitoring, Strategic Data and Evidence Center (MSDEC) in UNICEF Supply Division is implementing a project to improve visibility of the nutrition product situation and strengthen country-level forecast and supply planning processes through development of guidance documents and through identifying and piloting an electronic solution for nutrition forecast and supply planning.

Forecasting and supply planning are essential functions of the supply chain that are required for uninterrupted commodity availability and service delivery. When a forecast is made, country level decision makers know the estimated quantities of commodities required to meet programmatic goals and associated costs of these products, which allows them to effectively allocate available funds and mobilize additional resources to fill identified gaps. Supply planning is the planning of shipments to countries or locations to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. At the global level, donors and manufacturers use forecasts and supply planning outputs for their strategic planning to ensure funding and that commodities are produced as needed.

In collaboration with the USAID-funded Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Management project, UNICEF is at the stage of implementing a pilot of the Quantification Analytics Tool (QAT) to test if QAT is a suitable technology solution for the nutrition programme. QAT is an online tool based on the functionalities of QuantiMed and PipeLine, which are used to forecast and supply plan supplies within different product categories such as HIV, reproductive health, tuberculosis and essential medicines. The pilot is expected to be implemented in four countries over a period of approximately six months.

UNICEF is looking for a consultant to lead the project and technically manage the implementation of the pilot, conceptualization of global visualizations and development of technical nutrition forecast and supply planning strengthening guidance materials.

And we never give up.

For every child, support ...

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Monitoring Specialist in MSDEC, the consultant will support the project implementation in these areas:

Design and prepare nutrition QAT pilot (20%) • Support collection of baseline data from pilot countries • Oversee the process of adapting QAT platform for nutrition. Actual changes to the platform will be implemented by our implementing partner. • Update training materials to reflect the nutrition programme (nutrition examples and relevant exercises) • Collect nutrition data to update QAT for the training exercises • Develop data sharing and data ownership agreements between UNICEF and GHSC-PSM and with QAT pilot countries • Support countries with the preparations for the pilot including o definition of data governance for each pilot country (who manages and provides data, who enters data and accesses reports, etc.) o set parameters in QAT (inventory parameters, storage capacity, etc.)

Implement nutrition QAT pilot and document lessons learned (30%) • Support training implementation in the selected pilot countries (online or face-to-face support) in collaboration with the GHSC-PSM • Provide support to users during the implementation of the pilot • Collect feedback from users on the use of QAT for forecast and supply planning, both remotely and through observation visits in countries • Document user experience and include analysis of pre- and post-pilot quantitative data in the pilot report • Support development of additional materials to support UNICEF decision on endorsement of QAT and potential scale up of use with consideration of UNICEF colleagues’ responsibilities at different organizational levels

Conceptualize visualizations of QAT data for use globally to support country nutrition product availability. (15%) • Meet with relevant stakeholders to collect requirements for the global visualization of nutrition country and global data to facilitate global level support for countries to reach nutrition programme targets • Coordinate with the technical team developing the data model behind the visualizations and with the technical team generating the visualizations to ensure alignment with stakeholder requirements • Establish a data governance model • Support the establishment of an agreement between UNICEF and GHSC-PSM to set up both short- and long-term data sharing solutions • Develop any relevant reference or training materials for stakeholder use in relation to the visualizations generated, and ensure adequate user care response at launch

Develop nutrition forecast and supply planning strengthening toolbox (20%) • Gather information from countries on materials for inclusion and inputs on the toolbox materials during the development process • Based on the inputs from the countries, develop an outline of the forecast and supply planning strengthening toolbox • Adapt existing materials and develop missing materials. We expect that the immunization forecast and supply planning strengthening toolbox, currently under development by UNICEF and partners, can be used as the basis and some materials can be adapted to the nutrition context. The toolbox is expected to include, but is not necessarily limited to, guidance on coordination of forecast and supply planning activities, data sources, selection of forecast methodology, and performance metrics.

Project management and promotional materials (15%) • Monitor implementation of project according to workplan and update plan when needed, communicating upwards and downwards • Administrative work during the implementation of the different phases of the project, including but not limited to, preparation of pilot trainings and communications with global and country-level UNICEF and partner colleagues • Prepare for and document internal and external project meetings, including with GHSC-PSM, UNICEF Country Offices and donors.

KEY DELIVERABLES: • QAT training materials with nutrition-specific examples and exercises • Data sharing and governance agreements between UNICEF and GHSC-PSM and with countries • QAT pilot is implemented in the selected countries and users are supported throughout the pilot duration • Pilot report, which should include feedback from users and analysis of pre- and post-pilot quantitative and qualitative data as well as recommendations on the potential scale up of QAT for nutrition programmes, is drafted, reviewed by UNICEF and finalized • MS PowerPoint presentations, and, if necessary, a business case, to support UNICEF decision on endorsement of QAT • Global visualization conceptualization, including requirements on data points, calculations and data sources • Nutrition forecast and supply planning toolbox in a ready-for-publication quality • Ongoing project management, including but not limited to, work planning and implementation according to planned timelines, regular meetings with stakeholders, development of presentations and reporting to donor and other relevant stakeholder. • Promotional materials for advocacy of strengthening nutrition forecast and supply planning in countries

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

Education • Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree) in supply chain, pharmacy, nutrition, public health, or relevant field is required or a relevant first level university degree with relevant experience.

Work Experience • Minimum 5 years of progressive work experience with forecasting and supply planning of health products in developing countries. Specific experience with Ministry of Health nutrition programme forecasting and supply planning is preferred. • Experience with introducing technology solutions in developing country settings, including implementing a pilot, documenting lessons learned, and developing materials to support organizational decision to scale up technology. • Experience in the conceptualization, design, and development of user and learner-oriented technical guidance and training materials to strengthen in-country, preferably with nutrition forecasting and supply planning capacity. • Experience with visualization of data including defining and calculating key performance indicators is an advantage. • Experience in the management of complex, multi-faceted and cross-country projects requiring the consensus of diverse stakeholders. • Experience working in a multi-cultural environment and/or developing country situation is an asset ideally within the UN or a similar organization / NGO is preferred.

Technical knowledge • Expert-level knowledge of demand forecasting principles, methods, and tools. • Knowledge of end-to-end public health supply chain processes in developing countries. • Familiarity with public sector health, specifically nutrition, programmes is a selective advantage. • Strong knowledge, or ideally work experience, of Quantification Analytics Tool (QAT) or QuantiMed and PipeLine is a strong asset.

Language Proficiency in English is required. Fluency in French is an asset.

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

Core Competencies • Excellent communicator with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts to diverse, international audience both verbally and in writing. • Able to quickly understand instructions, to proactively seek clarification when needed. • Able to work well in a team environment, even when geographically dispersed.

Functional Competencies • Works independently and is problem-solving oriented. • Works in a multi-cultural environment and establishes harmonious and effective working relationships. • Demonstrates communication and relationship-building skills. • Ability to manage complex assignments and tasks in parallel to meet agreed timelines. • Effectively able to make project progress in ambiguous situations and successfully adapt to changing circumstances. • Proven capacity to work across different locations utilizing technical skills within project management, process improvement, supply chain management and information systems.

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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

How to apply:

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) to relocate to Copenhagen and administrative costs. Additional travel as part of the consultancy does not need to be included in the financial quote 3. CV 4. 3 references 5. P 11 form

Applications must be submitted through the UNICEF electronic application system by 19 September 2022. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.

Remarks:

UNICEF considers best value for money as 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. In case of duty travel, UNICEF will cover the costs according to UNICEF rules and regulations, including economy flight tickets and UN DSA rates (https://icsc.un.org).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted in 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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.