International Consultant - STEP 2.0 Programme Institutionalization and accreditation UNICEF Supply Division Denmark - 40 days, Remote (flexible)

Contract

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Leadership skills are critical to supply chain management, yet often the leaders and managers of public health supply chains in low- and middle-income countries are not supported to develop these and other soft skills. The coordinated Strategic Training Executive Programme (known as STEP 2.0) is a targeted solution that aims to help health and supply chain managers hone their skills in managing teams and leading change at country level. The STEP 2.0 approach is designed to build the capacity of next generation of leaders who can lead change ensuring access to medicines, vaccines, and health technologies. The approach is built on an experiential scenario-based methodology wielding transformative leadership principles.

Managed by People that Deliver (PtD), STEP 2.0 is jointly offered by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). By uniting to offer STEP 2.0, Gavi, the Global Fund and USAID will increase supply chain efficiency and improve health outcomes for many in lower- and middle-income countries struggling to access medicines or other health commodities.

PtD has been tasked to investigate and support the institutionalisation and accreditation of STEP 2.0 into national and regional training institutions and universities to ensure the quality delivery of STEP 2.0 and continuity of the programme into the future as governments move towards independently managing their own health supply chains. PtD is planning to compare different models of institutionalisation and accreditation in various academic institutions and professional associations. Two institutions - one university and one professional association - will be selected to pilot the process of institutionalisation and accreditation of STEP 2.0 in collaboration with PtD. PtD is recruiting a short-term institutionalisation and accreditation consultant to conduct research on academic institutions (such as the EAC RCE in Rwanda, University School of Health Sciences in Pakistan, Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nigeria, Strathmore Business School in Kenya, Kuhne Foundation higher education programs, among many others) and professional associations (including ASCM, AsLoB, CILT, CIPS, SAPICS and WALAF, among others) to investigate their institutionalisation, accreditation, and quality improvement cycle models. The consultant will also investigate the factors that could influence the sustainability of the program: flexibility, fit with the organisation’s mission, perceived benefits, support from stakeholder organisations, and the existence of a champion.

The consultant will develop a landscaping report including a comparison between the different models analysed, as well as a process PtD can follow to have STEP 2.0 institutionalised and accredited. The report will also present recommendations, namely a series of long-term indicators to measure the quality and success of the program. These indicators will complement PtD’s monitoring and evaluation system (comprised of a Theory of Action and results framework). The consultant will then hold a virtual validation workshop with the academic institutions and professional associations that participated in the research. This workshop will enable PtD to review and confirm the findings, validate the recommendations, and present an institutionalisation and accreditation plan for STEP 2.0. Finally, the consultant will work with two institutions - one university and one professional association - to pilot the process of institutionalisation and accreditation for STEP 2.0.

Scope of Work:

The roles and responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) the following:

Research on Academic Institutions and Professional Associations: Develop a research methodology - including interviews and surveys - and investigate the institutionalisation, accreditation, and quality improvement cycle models of relevant national and regional academic institutions and global and regional professional associations in selected areas. The investigation will also analyse the factors that could influence the sustainability of the program: flexibility, fit with the organisation’s mission, perceived benefits, support from stakeholder organisations, and the existence of a champion.

Landscaping Report for institutionalisation, accreditation, and quality improvement cycle models: Develop a landscaping report that compares the different models investigated, explores country options, and includes recommendations. The recommendations will contain a series of long-term indicators to measure the quality and success of the program, as well as a process that PtD can follow to have STEP 2.0 institutionalised and accredited.

Validation workshop with academic institutions and professional associations: Organise and conduct a virtual validation workshop including the academic institutions and professional associations that took part in the research and other relevant stakeholders. This workshop will aim at reviewing and confirming the investigation findings, validating recommendations, and presenting an institutionalisation and accreditation plan for STEP 2.0.

Institutionalisation and accreditation process: Define a methodology to select two institutions - one university and one professional association - among those that participated in the research; work with these two institutions to launch and pilot the process of institutionalisation and accreditation for STEP 2.0 within the required budget and timeframe.

It is envisioned that this work will take place over five months, from September 2022 to February 2023.

To qualify for this Consultancy...

Education:

A University degree is required, preferably in a relevant field (e.g., public health, supply chain management, international development, business administration, audit, or another quantitative degree). Applicable work experience can substitute in cases where a university degree is not aligned to a relevant field.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, with a background in supply chain strengthening and/or capacity-building programs. Proven experience in conducting research, reporting, and organizing workshops.

• Recognized expertise in research and reporting, with a background and interest in the analysis of public health and/or supply chain learning and development programs • Experience in results-based program development and management • Understanding approaches to measuring the results and effects of advocacy and capacity-building activities • Experience in university or professional institution administration desirable • Strong verbal and written communications skills in English • Must be able to work independently and must have the ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment regarding matters of significance • Exceptional time management skills required and an ability to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner, without prompting, both independently and collaboratively; superior organization and prioritization skills and must be meticulous and detail-oriented • Resourcefulness and ability to work proactively - thinking ahead. Good logic skills to read through minutes and summarize the conclusions and actions taken • Flexibility and ability to manage competing demands; must be able to manage a myriad of ongoing tasks in a fast-paced environment and adjust to changes • Works with integrity and ethically; must follow UNICEF's policies and procedures; is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent • Willingness to take ownership of wide-ranging responsibilities; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve own work to ensure quality • Ability to communicate effectively with various audiences • Strong cross-cultural and interpersonal skills

Language:

Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

UNICEF Core Values

Care Respect Integrity Trust Accountability Sustainability

Core competencies

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness Works Collaboratively with others Builds and Maintains Partnerships Innovates and Embraces Change Thinks and Acts Strategically Drives to achieve impactful results Manages ambiguity and complexity

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

Cover letter demonstrating experience and fit for the position CV/Resume Financial quote at a daily rate in US Dollars including all taxes. P11 form (only required if not applying through UNICEF Employment site) At least 3 reference contacts from current and previous Supervisors

Note:

1. Please indicate your availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered. Deadline: Sunday 4th September, 2022.

2. 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.