International Consultancy : Nutrition Supply Chain System Strengthening Specialist, 11 Months, Kinshasa/DRC (Office based)

Consultant Logistics & Procurement

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, a future

As the global leader in the treatment of SAM, UNICEF is working with many partners to increase the number of children with severe acute malnutrition who get treated by continuing to scale up programs to treat wasting, and to reduce the numbers who experience this condition at all.

A key component of UNICEF’s support to countries is to enable governments to integrate nutrition commodities within national government supply chain systems and ensure that they are being used effectively to reduce childhood SAM. To this end, UNICEF will assist governments in developing integration roadmaps, measuring and strengthening their supply chain maturity, and improving End User Monitoring (EUM) and visibility to nutrition supplies in the pipeline.

UNICEF is committed to working with governments to increase local capacities to improve procurement and supply chain maturity by strengthening the capacity of governments to operate or regulate supply chains for nutrition commodities.

UNICEF has developed tools, guidance, and evidence to support countries in their efforts to strengthen their nutrition supply chain. UNICEF’s support to governments is reflected in applying these tools and approaches in the field with the aim of improving visibility to nutrition commodities to the last mile. System strengthening efforts is also a learning opportunity for UNICEF and the community to share best practices which will help shape not only future activities but also refine the tools and approaches to become more efficient and less costly to implement.

It is within this same framework that the government of the DRC, World Bank funding, signed an agreement with UNICEF DRC for the supply of nutrition commodities within the framework of the Multisectoral Nutrition and Health Project (PMNS) for a period of 2 years. The long-term objectives of the PMNS project are:

1- Ensure the strengthening and development of the capacities of government actors at different levels in the management of the supply chain of inputs.

2- Ensure the purchase and supply of nutritional inputs in the selected provinces.

3- Ensure the gradual integration of nutrition inputs into the health system supply chain.

The consultant will support Supply & Logistics Manager and Nutrition team on Nutrition Supply chain system strengthening initiatives as the priority area for the donor funding this consultancy.

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work:

1. Objective:

Under the direct supervision of chief supply and logistics manager, the incumbent will collaborate with the nutrition team to meet the following objectives:

1. Ensure the capacities strengthening of government key stakeholders on supply chain management of nutrition intrants in the 4 regions of implementation of PMNS project (Kwilu, Kasai, Kasai Central and Sud Kivu).
2. Conduct the supply chain maturity assessment by using the UNICEF supply chain maturity model tools to measure the performance of key supply chain functions in the regions of implementation of the project and use the results to develop evidence-driven strengthening roadmaps and strategies.
3. Ensure the gradual integration of nutrition intrants into the health system supply chain. Develop a roadmap with activities to be implemented for the transfer nutrition commodities supply chain responsibilities to the government.
4. Develop an accountability framework for supply chain management and support development of manuals and SOPs to better understand the roles and responsibilities of government actors in supply chain management of nutrition commodities.
5. Ensure the implementation of end user monitoring by the government, availability, quality, and proper utilization of nutrition commodities at the last mile.
6. Identify opportunities to increase the effectiveness of the existing supply chain system by supporting government to apply the newly developed Supply Chain Strengthening and EUM tools, document lessons learned on process, and develop case studies for future learning.
7. Identify and document potential enablers and bottlenecks for the implementation of efficient Supply Chain in the field and recommend ways to mitigate. Implement tools and processes to improve the reporting of nutrition commodities at all levels in the country.
8. Improve data visibility along the Supply Chain by strengthening the information system, train users on the inventory and data management tools.

The incumbent will provide monthly reports on the progress of activities to his supervisor.

2. Key Assignments/Tasks:

In-Country

1. In response to the supply chain gaps identified either through the UNICEF Maturity Model and/or other assessments; develop a roadmap to strengthen the government capacities in nutrition supply chain by means of, inter alia updating procurement plans, reviewing the distribution channels and overall supply chain system design, improving the logistics information system, and reinforcing the human resource capacities.
2. Build government actors’ capacity in nutrition commodities supply chain management.
3. Organize and facilitate training/workshops to governments and a wide range of partners on supply chain optimization.

Government supply chain strengthening

1. Ensure the training of key government actors in the management of the supply chain of nutrition commodities both in country level and provincial level (provincial PRONANUT, Provincial Health Division (DPS); Regional Distribution Centers for Essential Medicines (CDR), and the Health facilities (FOSA).
2. Develop training manuals and modules on the management of the supply chain of nutrition commodities (estimation and quantification of needs, inventory management and warehousing, distribution, and End User Monitoring…).
3. Support government to implement/maintain the maturity model to track progress on nutrition supply chain operations.

End User Monitoring

1. Identify opportunities to increase the effectiveness of the existing nutrition supply chains in DRC by supporting government actors to apply End Users Monitoring tool on nutrition commodities in the health zones at the last mile.
2. Support the implementation of End User Monitoring by government. Develop project plans for EUM implementation in the country with clear timelines, activities, owners, and milestones.
3. Explore and document any other areas within the supply chain that could require strengthening, based on the outcomes of the EUM findings and share with UNICEF and government counterparts.

Integration roadmap

1. Support inclusion of nutrition commodities in the Essential Medicine List (EML) of Ministry of health.
2. Design and develop roadmap for the integration of nutrition commodities in government Supply chain, outline the supply chain operations and enablers that would be impacted by nutrition commodities integration by illustrating areas of need, and proposing a timeline toward integration of nutrition commodities into the national supply chain.
3. Ensure the development of a roadmap defining the necessary activities to be implemented to ensure the transfer of responsibility for the management of the supply chain of nutritional inputs to the government.
4. Document processes, best practices, lessons learned and develop at least one Case Study related to integration and EUM for nutrition commodities in the country

3. Tasks and deliverables

Tasks

Deliverables

Conduct a baseline assessment on the supply chain maturity of nutrition commodities in the provinces of implementation of the PMNS project (Kwilu, Kasai, Kasai Centrale and South Kivu) using the UNICEF supply chain maturity model.

Maturity supply chain assessment report

Organize a strategic workshop to share the results of the maturity supply chain assessment with key stakeholders in MoH (including SWOT analysis for identification of infrastructure and human resource needs, bottlenecks in supply chain functions at all levels of the national supply chain and gaps between current technical competence and the applicable best-in-class level for sustainable strengthening of the supply chain system in an integrated and optimized manner)

Report of the supply chain strategy workshop conducted

In response to the supply chain gaps identified – either through the UNICEF Maturity Model and/or other assessments-, develop a roadmap to strengthen the government capacities in nutrition supply chain by means of inter alia updating procurement plans, reviewing the distribution channels and overall supply chain system design, improving the logistics information system, and reinforcing the human resources capacities.

Roadmap with keys actions and timelines to strengthen the government capacities in nutrition supply chain

Develop manuals and training modules on the supply chain management of the nutrition commodities (Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream till End User Monitoring).

Manuals and training modules developed

The key government actors selected have strengthened capacities on the management of the supply chain of nutrition supplies including the use of tools.

Training reports

Support the implementation of End User Monitoring by government.

Develop project plans for EUM implementation in the country with clear timelines, activities, owners, and milestones.

Ensure progressive integration of nutrition supplies into the government health system supply chain

Roadmap with the key activities to be implemented for the effective transfer of nutrition supply chain responsibilities to the government

Develop an accountability framework for supply chain management and support for the development of manuals of procedures and SOPs

SOPs on roles and responsibilities of keys actors

Provide a monthly report on the progress of the activities carried out

Monthly report on activities progress

Consultation final report including field missions and results achieved.

Final Report and Power Point Presentation finalized

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

• A master’s degree in supply chain management, Logistics, Business and administration or any other areas related to the management of nutrition products.
• Ten (10) years of relevant work experience in supply, logistics, administration and/or other directly related technical field related to management of nutrition products may be accepted in lieu of an advanced master’s degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience at international levels, in supply chain and system strengthening is required.
• Experience developing training modules in supply chain systems for nutrition and health commodities in a developing country context.
• Experience conducting supply chain assessment in similar context preferred.
• Demonstrated experience carrying out similar tasks in west and central Africa context preferred.
• Experience in coordination, planning and implementation of system strengthening programs/projects in supply and logistics, health, nutrition, and or related programs/projects.
• Experience of working in the UN or other international development organizations is most preferable.

Technical skills, knowledge, and competencies:

• Knowledge and expertise in assessing forecasting and quantification capacity gaps of human resources in supply chain management systems.
• High level knowledge of nutrition/health sector products, supply chain, supply, and logistics.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programs, financial and legal aspects of supply chain issues, ethics, and risk management of supply chain operations.
• Ability to engage in substantive technical discussion with all stakeholders
• Strong communication skills with ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts convincingly in written and oral form.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to interact with individuals at all levels. Ability to work sensitively in multicultural environments and build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Ability to extract and format data and to solve operational problems.
• Demonstrable analytical and research skills, review and synthesis of data and information and planning experience.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle work quickly and accurately under time constraints, with minimum of supervision.
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Language proficiency:

Fluency in French is required with good knowledge in English.

Proposal of financial offers

Applicants are requested to submit a financial offer indicating the total remuneration (fees, mission expenses, etc.). It should include details of the period of validity and the method of payment which will be made according to UNICEF approved procedures.

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).

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org