Individual International Consultant : Market Survey

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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 smile

Background and Justification

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as part of its support to the Government of Guinea Bissau to meet the needs of children and their mothers, purchases many goods and services as needed. Some of these supplies/services are purchased from local vendors, manufacturers and businesses. UNICEF maintains a database of these local vendors which can be consulted at any time during a bidding process. Depending on market developments, a new market assessment is normally undertaken in order to maintain an up-to-date supplier database.

How can you make a difference?

Objective

The objective of this exercise, which will be supported by a comprehensive report including methodology, main findings and recommendations, is to produce a database of pre-qualified and reliable suppliers registered in Guinea Bissau for specific products as a main outcome and will also contribute to the process of developing procurement strategies and methods. Potential suppliers should be technically and financially capable and, where applicable, have production facilities, including a well-established quality control system.

SCOPE OF WORK

In this regard, UNICEF Guinea-Bissau office seeks an individual consultant to carry out a local market survey to identify suppliers of goods and services from which UNICEF will obtain bids through a competitive process in future procurements.

Among the categories of supplies and services generally required are:

• Printing material
• Construction works and construction materials
• Office supplies and equipment
• IT supplies and equipment
• School furniture and supplies
• School, sport and play supplies and equipment
• Various new/used Clothes and clothing materials
• Sports and play equipment
• Power Generating Equipment
• Vehicle spare parts
• Communication equipment
• Office stationery and supplies
• Plastic Materials, handwashing and bathing soap, sanitizers, Water and Sanitation Supplies
• Office Furniture
• Transport equipment
• Water and Sanitation Supplies
• Relief Supplies e.g. buckets, blankets, plastic sheeting etc.

In addition, the survey is expected to identify and pre-qualify service providers for:

• Printing services
• Graphic design services
• Photography services
• Photocopy and lamination services
• Maintenance of office equipment
• Cleaning services
• Travel agencies
• Transport services
• Engineering and construction services
• Construction works services
• Vehicle rental services
• Shipping and forwarding services
• Vehicle maintenance services
• Telecom/communication services
• Courier services (local and International)
• Fire extinguisher services
• Insurance brokerage
• Woodwork
• Cleaning and janitorial services
• Fumigation services
• Water tinkering services
• Customs clearing and cargo forwarding services
• Translation services (voice and data)

The outcome of the assessment shall be compiled into a database, based on the categories of the goods and services.

WORK ASSIGNMENT

Under the direct supervision of the Supply and Logistics Specialist, the Consultant shall carry out the following assignments:

1. Prepare a methodological framework and corresponding tools for undertaking a detailed market survey for identification of local suppliers and service providers in Guinea-Bissau;
2. Solicit, receive and review expressions of interest from interested local vendors and firms for undertaking services or supply of goods to UNICEF and/or other UN agencies in the country and compile a long list of such vendors and service providers;
3. Undertake inspection visits to the premises of the potential suppliers and firms, to assess their suitability, capacity (financial, personnel, logistics etc.) for supply of their selected categories of goods or services to UNICEF or other UN agencies;
4. Obtain feedback from a cross section of clients of the selected vendors and firms;
5. Review and analyze all data collected during the assessment through the various visits, interviews, materials and equipment inspection at the potential vendors’ premises;
6. Prepare a short list of assessed vendors and firms based on their suitability for supply of their selected categories of supplies or services;
7. Evaluate the performance of companies based on: current and potential production capacity, equipment, qualified personnel, storage capacity, stock and quality of raw materials, supply sources, Supply chain efficiency, previous contracts obtained and executed, inspection of finished products, references, respect of deadlines and seriousness of the company, etc.);
8. Evaluate possible financial, contractual or other risks for UNICEF;
9. Develop a database in a format that is easily exploitable taking in account:

• The profile of the pre-qualified companies
• Field of activities
• Capacities (technical and financial)
• Reliability
• Supply sources
• Availability of products
• Quality
• Responsiveness – public relations
• Ethics – Environment – Social
• Deadlines-Delivery
• Innovation

10. Research alternative vendor options in the immediate neighboring countries for goods or services that are not easily available in Guinea-Bissau.

DELIVERABLES

1. Pre-qualify vendors for the different (and clearly specified) categories of goods and services including their capacity and performance;
2. Develop categorized user-friendly database of pre-qualified vendors and firms;
3. Submit along with assessment report, completed vendor inspection report;
4. Submit a framework of continuous updating of the supplier database;
5. List of pre-qualified vendors outside of the country including recommendations;
6. Report containing the methodology, principal conclusions and recommendations of the assessment.

Complete submission of deliverables as per expected standard and quality as assessed by the supervisor is a prerequisite for payment of fee. UNICEF reserves the right to adjust or withhold payments for late deliverables or for deliverables not meeting expected quality.

TIMEFRAME

The duration of the survey will be 30 days as follows:

Activities (Days)

• Introduction and Adoption of methodology (3)
• The literature review documents (3)
• Sampling (3)
• Visit of companies and interviews (10)
• Assessment and development of profiles (5)
• Results and recommendations - Draft (2)
• Amendment and validation of the preliminary report (2)
• Presentation of the final report and end of the Survey (2)

ITENERARY

• The consultant will purchase her/his own trip round ticket.
• The consultant will be based in Bissau and carry out, as required, the missions within the country, to assess the suppliers of the regions.
• The consultant will work with own IT equipment
• UNICEF Bissau will provide office space and other secretariat support.
• UNICEF Bissau will provide transport to and from airport, and any work-related transport in country and accommodation arrangement in the country.

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

Advanced university degree in business administration, procurement, management or a related technical field.

Work Experience:

Five years progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in procurement, business administration and management and financial analysis. Proven experience in similar assignments with UNICEF preferably in Africa.

Languages: Fluency in English. Knowledge of French and Portuguese is an asset.

Competencies:

• In depth knowledge of procurement and good concept of analyzing technical financial documents.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage market research and similar projects
• Good analytical, negotiating and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Excellent computer skills, including database applications and internet navigation.
• Expertise in public procurement
• Experience in report writing
• Ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage market research and similar projects
• Planning and Organizing skills/Accountability and ability to work independently

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 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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).