National Consultancy for Designing developing, structuring, consolidation and finalisation of the EMR-RapidPro messages, Kigali, Rwanda, 3 Months (For Rwandan Only)

Job Number: 523051

Locations: Africa: Rwanda

Work Type: Consultancy

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

How can you make a difference?

Background and Purpose

The Government of Rwanda continues to prioritize supply chain investments, and new technology in this area of countr’s priorities. In July 2017, updated cold chain inventory was conducted and showed that about 725 (87%) of country’s CCE are PIS-compliant with only 95 (13%) PQS pre-qualified. Furthermore, about 221 (27%) CCE are ten years old or more. The country is planning to address these gaps by jointly investing in high quality CCE through Gavi’s Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform (CCEOP). The CCEOP application is approved and the reception of Year 1 equipment is planned for 2019 and Year 2 for 2020.

The country operates a three-tier supply chain system comprising one primary store, 42 hospital stores and 504 health centers. Vaccine distribution from the primary store to district hospitals and health centre is via a monthly pull system.

Cold chain storage capacity at the 42 hospitals are sufficient for the current monthly primary store to district hospitals distribution plan, which is costly and time consuming for national and district supply chain staff.

For the optimization of immunization supply chain management, immunization program has planned to redesign vaccine distribution system from primary stores through district stores. This will respond to the distribution cost as it is projected to decline and will also impact sustainability as this is potentially problematic knowing that distribution costs are covered by Gavi HSS.

In the immediate period, results from the system design analyses will inform adoption of country-driven and context-based optimized vaccine distribution strategy and frequency. It will also inform improvement of Year 2 CCEOP procurement and demonstrate linkages with supply chain investments in planned HSS grant.

Justification

The CCEOP showed up as an opportunity for the supply chain system design since there will be an expansion of storage capacity.

The proposed scope of this engagement is to apply the system design approach that brings stakeholders from all levels of the supply chain together to review their current storage capacity and distribution system, identify areas to optimize and analyze these options and provide recommendations for implementation. This was also planned during the 2017 Gavi Joint Appraisal where technical assistance for the activities related to system design was included in the Targeted Country Assistance (TCA). The technical modelling of route planning, costs estimates and timelines for the distribution of vaccines will be included in the process of redesign. While the study will assess the current supply chain storage capacities and locations, distribution and network, it will compare these with alternative options and make appropriate recommendations based on cost and other determined criteria such as vaccine availability, potency, equitable distribution, inventory cycles.

Objectives

  1. Conduct a landscape analysis of the various (current) methods of storage (including number and type of storage, CCE location etc.), distribution (including transport mechanisms, frequency etc.) and network design of moving vaccines from the primary store in Kigali, through district hospital stores, to all service delivery points in the country.
  2. Develop a set of cost and performance criteria to compare various vaccine, storage, distribution and network design options (including cost, immunization coverage and equity).
  3. Outline alternative options (to those in 1 above) for storing, distributing and network design for vaccines from the primary store in Kigali, through district hospital stores, to all service delivery points in the country.
  4. Collect data and conduct analysis to compare the various options outlined in 3 above, for various parts of the country iSC (immunization supply chain), based on cost and supply chain performance indicators including but not limited to total supply chain costs, total cost of immunizing a child, distribution frequencies, availability of vaccines and equitable distribution of vaccines.
  5. Develop recommendations for optimizing the storage locations, distribution system and network design for iSC system in Rwanda.
  6. Classify recommendations into immediate, medium-term and long-term plan of actions.
  7. Share recommendations with Rwanda stakeholders, collect feedbacks and decisions for implementation and facilitate development of costed implementation plan.

Evaluation Criteria

The Technical proposal is weighted at 75% and 25% for the Financial proposal.

Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by HR.

Payment Schedule

Deliverable  Payment proportion
Deliverable 1: A landscape analysis report on the current Rwanda immunization supply chain including storage (number and type of storage, CCE location etc.), distribution (transport mechanisms, frequency etc.) and network design from the primary store in Kigali to all service delivery points in the country (including outreach and mobile services.  50%
Deliverable 2: Submission of final well-designed project report as per detailed deliverables  50%

The key deliverables of the Assessment of vaccine storage, distribution and network design between primary store and service delivery points in Rwanda include the following:

1. A landscape analysis report on the current Rwanda immunization supply chain including storage (number and type of storage, CCE location etc.), distribution (transport mechanisms, frequency etc.) and network design from the primary store in Kigali to all service delivery points in the country (including outreach and mobile services.

2. An end of project report including (but not limited to):

  • Proceeds from facilitation meetings where concept of system design was introduced, project plan and areas of project plan inquiries were discussed and finalized
  • A set of cost and performance criteria (as KPIs) such as vaccine availability, potency, equitable distribution, inventory cycles etc. to compare current and alternative options for vaccine storage, distribution and network design
  • An outline of alternative options to current storage, distribution and network design (outlined above)
  • Results of analysis comparing the various options for vaccines storage, distribution and network design outlined above
  • Immediate, medium-term and long-term recommendations (based on the analysis conducted as above) for optimizing the storage locations, distribution system and network design for ISC system in Rwanda
  • Stakeholder prioritization of recommendations made based on analysis of various scenarios for ISC system in Rwanda
  • Proceeds from stakeholder results sharing meeting where analysis results are shared including
    – List of stakeholders and decision makers to whom the outlined alternative options to current storage, distribution and network design, were shared for review and recommendations
    – List of stakeholder’s prioritized supply chain indicators to measure supply chain improvements through system design.
    – Stakeholder’s feedbacks, implementation decisions and based on results of analysis
    – Costed system redesign implementation plan
  • Clear linkages between planned CCEOP and system design considerations

General Conditions: Procedures & Logistics

UNICEF will issue the contract and pay the consultant, based on the payment schedule mentioned above and after the approval of the deliverables by RBC/MOH and UNICEF. UNICEF Health Officer- in collaboration with EPI/RBC/MoH – will manage the contract and be the focal point for all contractual matters. For all contractual issues, the consultant will report to UNICEF. For technical issues, the consultant will work directly with the technical team, led by UNICEF and RBC/MOH. All deliverables must be approved by RBC/MoH and UNICEF to be considered final.

During the consultancy period the consultancy will cover transport cost in Kigali and at the request of the supervisor, UNICEF shall provide the Consultant with transport for field visits. For field trip, the consultant will be reimbursed based on out of pocket expenses associated with the travel at DSA rate and based on a submitted voucher/claim approved by the supervisor. The consultant is expected to use his or her own equipment, including computers. UNICEF premises will be available for the meetings and collecting inputs from other partners.

The consultant shall not make use of any unpublished or confidential information, made known in the course of performing duties under the terms of this agreement, without written authorization from MoH/UNICEF. The products of this assignment are not the property of the consultant and cannot be shared without the permission of MoH/UNICEF. The consultant shall respect the habits and customs of the local population and abstain from interfering in the country’s political affairs. Law no 31/2007 on intellectual property right will be applicable where necessary.

The consultant shall abide by and be governed by UNICEF Procedure on Ethical Standards in his duties and will be required to complete mandatory trainings before s/he is hired.

Payment will only be made for work satisfactorily completed and accepted by UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/deliverables is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

All materials developed by the consultant will remain the copyright of MoH/UNICEF, who will be free to adapt and modify the materials for future use.

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

Education:

Advanced University degree is required, preferably in relevant field (e.g., business planning, supply chain management, economics, international development studies, procurement, logistics, or other quantitative degree). Applicable work experience can substitute in cases where university degree is not aligned to a relevant field.

Work Experience:

At least 8 years of experience in international public health programme management including 5years in immunization, with experience in resource-limited environments, preferably in the areas of:

  • Supply chain bottleneck analysis
  • Supply chain network analysis
  • Network optimization
  • Familiarity with inventory policies, distribution outsourcing, segmentation strategies, integration of health products, and other system design strategies
  • Supply chain operations
  • Assessing and measuring supply chain performance
  • Experience interfacing with national ministries of health an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate

  • UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
  • Strong analytical, oral & written communication skills
  • Proven track record in project management with the emphasis on strategic planning, communication, and evaluation
  • Effective presenter including ability to adapt the message and visual aids for multiple audiences to deliver concise, impactful presentations
  • Effective facilitator with proven ability to engage and train a group of individuals
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

Technical Knowledge:

  • Proven experience in strategic negotiations and planning in multi-stakeholder settings
  • Experience in writing complex strategic proposals, developing multi-year operational plans
  • Experience in training, planning and delivery of technical assistance
  • Knowledge of supply chain management, network design optimization, and operations
  • Excellent analysis skills
  • Proven track record in interfacing with national ministries of health a distinct advantage

Language:

Written and spoken fluency in English (French is an advantage)

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

How to Apply

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should send their complete Personal History (P11) form, which can be downloaded form (https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc).

The candidates are also requested to submit a Technical Proposal with proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks. The following should be submitted:

  • CV/resume, as well as a cover letter explaining what makes them suitable for this consultancy.
  • Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables (maximum of four samples).
  • Proposed methodology/approach to managing the project.
  • At least 2 References

The Selected candidates will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal outlining the total costs for this consultancy with payment linked to the main deliverables outlined above.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Opening Date Wed Jun 12 2019 09:00:00 GMT+0200 (South Africa Standard Time) South Africa Standard Time

Closing Date Wed Jun 26 2019 23:55:00 GMT+0200 (South Africa Standard Time)

Apply here

For more information,please visit https://www.unicef.org/rwanda/about_22261.html

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