South Sudan: Individual Consultancy: Human Resources for Supply Chain Management in Khartoum, Sudan

Consultancy Title:Human Resources for Supply Chain Management in Khartoum, Sudan

LOCATION/DURATION:

Duration: ~6 weeks / ~30 days of work, duration driven by deliverables

Location: Flexible with at least three weeks onsite in Khartoum, Sudan

Start Date: September 12, 2016

Reporting to: People that Deliver (PtD) Executive Manager, UNICEF SD in Copenhagen, Denmark

BACKGROUND:

The People that Deliver Initiative (PtD) (see Annex 1 for a description of the initiative) is a global partnership of governments, donors, NGOs, academic institutions, professional associations, and private sector organizations which is based at UNICEF Supply Division, whose mission is to build global and national capacity to implement evidence-based approaches to plan, finance, develop, support and retain the national workforces needed for the effective, efficient and sustainable management of health supply chains.

PtD’s primary goal is to ensure that a competent, recognized and supported supply chain workforce with significant technical and managerial capacity is present in public health supply chains. Well-performing supply chains are essential for ensuring access to health supplies and meeting the goal of universal health coverage. However, the burden on health supply chains has increased significantly and will continue to increase due to increasing volumes of supplies, the introduction of new health products, changing disease profiles, and efforts to achieve Universal Access to Health.

From 2011 – 2015 People that Deliver (PtD) focused on creating global awareness of and engagement around the importance of the health supply chain workforce. In its next phase, PtD aims to focus more of its advocacy efforts and partner resources directly at the country level. This effort intends to support Ministries of Health and implementing partners to plan, implement, and sustain reforms which strengthen human resources for the health supply chain management.

In Sudan, the National Medical Supplies Fund (NMSF), which is a semi-autonomous organization with its own Act, is not only responsible for the supply chain of health commodities, which includes medicines, medical devices and medical consumables, but is also responsible for ensuring its staff has the right skill set. NMSF is prioritizing strengthening the health supply chain at all levels and sees development of human resources for supply chain management as critical to that effort.

In April 2014 consultants to NMSF completed a training needs assessment and gap analysis of NMSF staff (including staff at state level MSF stores) and provided a set of ten recommendations. Three of those recommendations will be moved forward with PtD expertise and tools. These include:

1. Establish a five-year training strategy linked to the overall CMS strategy, to help identify training needs of the organization.
2. Improve onboarding of new staff; HR department should offer mentoring for all staff and coaching for staff in leadership positions.
3. Identification of training needs should be linked to a specific job description for each position, a regular job review and performance assessment with identification of trainings needs. This process can serve as a basis for the development of the annual training plan.

OBJECTIVE:

PtD/UNICEF is seeking a consultant to operationalize the identified recommendations from the previous assessment with a goal of improving supply chain workforce capacity in Sudan. The overall goal of this consultancy is to advance NMSF Sudan’s ability to serve its customers through the development of a capable and competent supply chain workforce. The work will be steered by the PtD Secretariat based at UNICEF and by NMSF in Sudan.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The Consultant will work with the PtD Executive Manager and the Director General of the National Medical Supplies Fund Sudan, and other key stakeholders on the following:

• Develop a comprehensive human resources for supply chain management strategy that encompasses NMSF and its branches at states, as well as health facilities, that covers that outlines and costs out specific actions to achieve the components of the strategy
• Develop competency frameworks for NMSF leadership, and NMSF stores at state levels only, to help inform and revise job descriptions and map training programs to those competencies
• Develop a costed and resourced annual training plan in line with the HR for SCM strategy and competency gaps

It is envisioned that this work will take place over a six-week period from mid-September until the end of October, 2016 (30 days LOE). At least three weeks will be onsite in Khartoum, Sudan.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

#

Deliverable

Deadlines

1

Brief trip reports are expected after each visit to Khartoum, Sudan

October 31, 2016

2

Presentation of findings to the Director General of the National Medical Supplies Fund Sudan and PtD

October 31, 2016

3

Final Human Resources for Supply Chain Management Strategy

November 30, 2016

4

Final Competency Framework for NMSF and its state branches

November 30, 2016

5

Final suggested updated job descriptions for NMSF and its state branches

November 30, 2016

6

Final NMSF Annual Training Plan

November 30, 2016

7

Final presentation to PtD board

December 15, 2016

Deliverables are expected to be submitted electronically.

Further specification on individual activities will be specified and agreed after contracted.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

University degree is required, preferably in relevant field (e.g., business administration, human resource management, public health, supply chain management, 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 10 years work experience in health supply chain management, human resource management, and staff performance management, in a global, regional or country setting.

Competencies:

1. Core Values
   • Commitment
   • Diversity and Inclusion
   • Integrity
2. Core Competencies
   • Communication
   • Drive for Results
3. Key Functional Competencies
   • Analyzing
   • Planning and Organizing

Technical Knowledge:

• Demonstrated knowledge in the field of health supply chain management, human resource management, and staff performance management
• Experience using the HR for SCM assessment tool and developing HR for SCM strategies (or equivalent)
• Experience developing competency frameworks for supply chain management
• Experience in supply chain capacity building activities (including developing training plans)
• Knowledge of public health supply chains or public institutions in the developing world context is an advantage
• Excellent writing and presentation skills

Language:

Fluent English, speaking/reading, writing; bi-lingual Arabic-speaker preferred

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter
2. Financial quote for service fees at a daily rate in US Dollars, and any travel and administrative fees, as applicable
3. CV/Resume
4. Two References
5. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/supply/files/UN_Personal_History_Form.doc).

Applications are to be sent to: dzwinkels@unicef.org with subject line Application for Human Resources for Supply Chain Management Specialist by August 26, 2016 5:00pm CET. Please indicate your availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered. Successful applicants will be invited to a telephone interview.

PAYMENT TERMS:

The consultant will produce the following deliverables aligned to the payment schedule indicated as a percentage:

Final Human Resources for Supply Chain Management Strategy – 40%

Final Competency Framework for NMSF and its state branches (including suggested updated job descriptions for NMSF and its state branches) -30%

Final NMSF Annual Training Plan – 30%

The above percentages are indicative, final payment schedule will be based on the financial proposal from the successful consultant, on the understanding that all payments will be against deliverables as outlined above. No advance payments are possible.

Before payment is made the deliverables will be evaluated according to the following indicators: timeliness (meeting deadlines), achievement of goals (approval of reports by the Director General of the National Medical Supplies Fund Sudan) and quality of work (approval of reports by People that Deliver (PtD) Executive Manager).

RENUMERATION:

Payment commensurate with experience. Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. DSA and terminal expenses will be covered for the three weeks in Khartoum, Sudan. No other remunerations apply.

General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal Status

The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

1. Obligations

The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.

The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.

In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.

1. Title rights

UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.

1. Travel

If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis:

(a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.

(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

1. Statement of good health

Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.

1. Insurance

The Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

1. Service incurred death, injury or illness

If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

1. Arbitration

(a) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.

(b) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.

1. Penalties for Underperformance

Payment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.

1. Termination of Contract

This contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.

1. Taxation

UNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor.

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=498407

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter
2. Financial quote for service fees at a daily rate in US Dollars, and any travel and administrative fees, as applicable
3. CV/Resume
4. Two References
5. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/supply/files/UN_Personal_History_Form.doc).

Applications are to be sent to: dzwinkels@unicef.org with subject line Application for Human Resources for Supply Chain Management Specialist by August 26, 2016 5:00pm CET. Please indicate your availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered. Successful applicants will be invited to a telephone interview.