HIV Commodity End-User Verification and Quantification Assessment lead consultant, Mogadishu, Somalia, 60 days

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, Health

www.unicef.org/somalia

How can you make a difference?

Background:

UNICEF, through support from the global fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (the Global Fund has provided nascent support to the Ministries of Health) in procurement and supply management as part of health systems strengthening (HSS) including the following:

• Establishing PSM units at the ministries of health both at federal and member states level, with four officers, (National Supply Chain Manager, Forecasting and Quantification officer, logistic management information system officer (LMIS) and inventory & disposal officer)

• Providing basic office equipment for the PSM offices at the MOHs.

• With partners such as WHO and UNFPA, providing basic training on different PSM functions.

• Developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training on forecasting and quantification and LMIS including the training and roll out of the Quantification Analytics Tool (QAT).

• Conducting LIAT and LSAT activities.

• Designing the inventory management system and developing and training SOPs in harmonized LMIS forms to regularly inform the MOHs on PSM activities within the system at different levels.

While activities have been initiated with the PSM units/MOHs, there is a need to provide ongoing support to the MOHs and partners to be able to coordinate and implement and the SOPs, forecasting and quantification and other PSM system strengthening activities planned or already initiated. Ongoing capacity building is necessary to ensure that the MOH takes ownership and leadership in PSM.

Objectives, Purpose, Methodology and Expected Results:

• Providing on job mentoring and training to the MOHs PSM unit personnels

• Following up on logistics management information systems (LMIS) and forecasting and quantification consultancy outcomes.

• Ensuring implementation of tools (excel sheets and software e.g., CHAI Simple Tool, Quantimed and PIPELINE, Quantification Analytics Tool (QAT)-this will require populating with relevant information and regularly updating with consumption data)

• Assisting MOHs with forecasting and quantitation excels/quantimed as well as PIPELINE software for supply planning in different forecasting and supply plan review exercises in HIV supply using CHAI Simple Tool and Quantification Analytics Tool (QAT) is mandatory.

• Ensuring SOPs developed are reviewed and endorsed by the MOH and implemented.

• Working on the forecasting and quantification and PSM components for new funding concept notes/ funding requests for HIV (the new three-year HIV grant 2024 to 2026)

Working with WHO and UNFPA and other implementing partners on rolling out LMIS tools and SOPs and other areas, as required.

• Developing and conducting training for program partners and counterparts at the MOH in PSM, with particular focus on supply utilization and forecasting, distribution, and inventory management of HIV/AIDS commodities.

Methodology

The quantification consultant is expected to work closely with the relevant MOH counterparts as well as partners involved in PSM (e.g., WHO, UNICEF and UNFP). At least 50% of his/her time is to be spent in the field, providing ongoing mentoring and on the job training for the PSM units and other relevant stakeholders. He/she is expected to provide regular feedback to UNICEF on activities and deliverables, and any bottlenecks encountered.

Deliverables:

The consultant will provide support to the Ministry of Health and its partners to review previous forecasts, produce national commodity consumption forecasts for HIV commodities for the period Jan 2021 to Dec 2023, and an accompanying supply plan for the period April 2024 to Dec 2026, the exercise will cover ARVs, rapid diagnostic tests kits (RTKs), condoms and other related supplies.

Pre-quantification workshop:

• Conduct a document review (including previous quantification report) and develop a draft schedule and agenda for the entire exercise.

• Validate current underlying quantification assumptions, identify any data gaps, and determine plan to address gaps ahead of visit.

• Work with Somalia staff to determine the required data for the quantification, jointly review currently available data, and determine a plan to acquire any missing data.

• Coordinate with the Ministries of Health to ensure stakeholders collect relevant information and data for forecasting and supply planning for all commodities under this scope.

• Develop the quantification approach and draft tools to be used for the quantification based on available data and discussion with the Somalia team and national program.

The findings of the assessment will not only be used to strengthen supply chain management for essential HIV/malaria supplies but will also lay firm ground for the next phase of malaria supplies quantification.

Quantification workshop:

• Support technical meetings with Somalia staff and key HIV/AIDS program staff and other relevant stakeholders to analyse all relevant data, validate current assumptions, and develop forecasts for health commodities.

• Provide guidance to Somalia staff during the quantification workshop to help them pressure test current quantification assumptions, review, and update assumptions, and obtain stakeholder consensus.

• Provide guidance for in-country stakeholders to validate and update underlying forecasting assumptions for the various commodity areas.

• Develop draft forecasts using the appropriate forecasting tool.

• Review updated databases to support the update of the supply planning databases.

Post-quantification workshop activity:

• Participate in remote meetings with relevant stakeholders on draft forecast to develop final forecasts for all HIV commodities under this scope.

• Develop a final revised 3-year supply plan for all HIV commodities (April 2024 to Dec 2026).

• Develop a funding gap analysis to determine the needed additional funding for procurement of the required commodities.

• Work with Somalia ministries of health staff to develop a final quantification report:

• Detailing quantification process, data quality analysis, key assumptions, and outputs of the quantification.

• Recommending strategy/process for routine monitoring of assumptions by the quantification committee of Somalia for guiding procurement and supply plan contributions.

Quantification Training:

• Provide back-to-back training on the principles of Quantification of Health commodities.

• Provide training on the tools used in the quantification process.

Expected Outcomes:

1. March 2024 to Dec 2026 National Quantification Report (forecast and supply plan) produced for ARVs, rapid diagnostic tests (RTKs), condoms and other supplies. The report should include identified processes, validated assumptions, systemic issues, and recommendations for addressing challenges.

2. Reviewed quantification assumptions and consensus building workshop plan/agenda to ensure alignment with expected outputs.

3. Updated national supply plan databases for ARVs, rapid diagnostic tests (RTKs), condoms and other supplies. [Note: Forecasts will be reviewed annually after this exercise per standard practice as forecast accuracy over multiple years is highly subject to error]

4. Gap analyses for ARVs, rapid diagnostic tests (RTKs), condoms and other supplies.

5. Staff trained on the principles and tools used in the quantification of health commodities.

Expected Deliverables.

1. March 2024 to June 2026 National Quantification Report (forecast and supply plan) produced for ARVs, rapid diagnostic tests (RTKs), condoms and other supplies. The report should include identified processes, validated assumptions, systemic issues, and recommendations for addressing challenges.

2. Reviewed quantification assumptions and consensus building workshop plan/agenda to ensure alignment with expected outputs and gap analyses for ARVs, rapid diagnostic tests (RTKs), condoms and other supplies.

3. Updated supply plan databases for ARVs, rapid diagnostic tests (RTKs), condoms and other supplies. [Note: Forecasts will be reviewed annually after this exercise per standard practice as forecast accuracy over multiple years is highly subject to error]

4. Staff trained on the principles and tools used in the quantification of health commodities.

Tasks****Product/Deliverable****Time frameReview of relevant documentation and development of work planInception report/WorkplanMarch 2024Finalization and endorsement of the SOPs for PSM unitsEndorsed SOPsMarch 2024Refresher training/workshops for SomaliaTraining report from workshop submittedApril 2024CHAI Simple Tool software installed, populated and training provided to PSM unitsSoftware installed and populated; updated with consumption data every monthApril 2024Update on PSM progress, trainings, capacity building, mentoring and recommendations on way forwardReport of PSM progress, review of achievements and discussions on way forwardApril 2024Leading the final FAQ exercise with PSM unitsFAQ undertaken with PSM units of MOHApril 2024Final report of the consultancy with recommendations on way forward & lessons learntFinal report submitted. May 2024

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in logistics, supplies and procurement systems.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in logistics management information system at international level
• Demonstrated experience in development of data collection tools, report writing, preparing presentations.
• Organizing and facilitating workshops.
• Strong knowledge and experience in monitoring and evaluation of supply chain systems
• Sound knowledge of the data collection, data analysis and management and report writing.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining cordial working relationships with Ministries of Health, governmental agencies other organizations.
• Good interpersonal, communication skills and analytical skills
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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.

Remarks:

Kindly include an all-inclusive financial proposal with your application. Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.

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.

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.