Readvertisement: Evaluation and improvement of UNICEF’s EDI System for Operational Excellence Consultant, 6 months from March 2025, UNICEF Supply Division, Preferably office based - Candidat

Consultant Logistics & Procurement

Overview

Evaluate and improve UNICEF's EDI system for operational excellence

You have:

• Master’s in computer science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in evaluating, implementing and assessing EDI systems.
• Experience in logistics and transport management systems in a global organization environment.
• Demonstrable expertise in project management and systems integration.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in logistics software evaluation.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar ERP platforms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation capabilities, with the capacity to convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

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, Love...

Under the supervision of a Logistics Specialist in Global Transport Center of UNICEF Supply Division, the Consultant will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of UNICEF's current Electronic Data Interchange system. The consultant will assess its functionalities, architecture, and integration capabilities, identify strengths and weaknesses, evaluate alternative technologies and solutions, and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the system’s efficiency, scalability, and compliance with industry standards. The goal is to optimize UNICEF's transport management and operational processes while supporting sustainability and leveraging advanced technologies.

How can you make a difference?

The Scope of Work for this assignment includes the following key activities: 1. Preliminary Analysis: o Gather documentation and technical specifications of the current EDI system. o Conduct stakeholder, including MSDEC, OATC, FFWs, and carriers, and end-user meetings to understand requirements and pain points. o Map and review current EDI transactions and identify automation potential.

2. Technical Evaluation: o Perform a detailed review of the system's architecture, configuration, and data mapping processes. o Evaluate the system's ability to handle various document types and formats. o Analyze data transmission protocols and encryption mechanisms.

3. Performance Assessment: o Monitor system performance during peak and non-peak hours. o Measure data processing speed, message delivery time, and error rates.

4. Data Accuracy and Compliance: o Validate the accuracy of transmitted data. o Ensure compliance with industry standards and data privacy regulations.

5. Interoperability Testing: o Assess compatibility with trading partners' EDI setups and identify data exchange issues.

6. Gap Analysis and Recommendations: o Identify gaps and shortcomings in the current EDI system. o Provide actionable recommendations to improve system efficiency and functionality.

7. Evaluation of Competing Technologies: o Analyze alternative technologies such as API versus EDI as well complementarities and their potential benefits. o Conduct market research on transport management systems.

8. Advanced Feature Integration: o Assess feasibility of rate management automation, live tracking, carbon footprint calculations, AI-driven route selection, and mobile accessibility. o Explore options for digitalization, blockchain integration, and end user-friendly interfaces.

9. PRB Preparation: o Develop a concept note, presentation, and project charter using provided templates.

10. Reporting and Project Closure: o Compile findings into a recommendation report and implementation strategy. o Revise and finalize recommendations based on stakeholder feedback.

This work will span six months, with each phase building on the prior assessments and findings.

Applicants are invited to submit a detailed proposal outlining their approach to the consultancy, including a clear methodology, key deliverables, quote per deliverable and a comprehensive timeline for each phase of the project. The proposal should cover the entire six-month period, specifying milestones and their duration such as the initial assessment, stakeholder engagement, market research, recommendation formulation, and final report submission. The document should not exceed two pages and must demonstrate how the proposed approach aligns with UNICEF’s objectives and operational requirements.

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

• Master’s in computer science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in evaluating implementing and assessing EDI systems.
• Experience in logistics and transport management systems in a global organization environment will be highly desirable.
• Demonstrable expertise in project management and systems integration.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in logistics software evaluation.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar ERP platforms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation capabilities, with the capacity to convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Evaluation Criteria A. Technical Evaluation 1. Relevant experience and technical expertise: 30 points 2. Clarity and comprehensiveness of the methodology: 25 points 3. Feasibility and practicality of the implementation timeline: 20 points

B. Financial Proposal 1. Cost-effectiveness and value addition of the proposed solution: 25 points

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:

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.

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Potential interview questions

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