Consultancy: Immunization Supply Financing Consultant, UNICEF Supply Division/UNICEF Kenya (expected to be based in Nairobi, Kenya) 123 views0 applications

Consultancy Title: Immunization Supply Financing Consultant

LOCATION/DURATION:

Duration:* 4-6 months (expected) *Location: Expected to be based in Nairobi, Kenya, for multi-month period or for extended periods Start Date:* May/ June 2017 (expected) *Reporting to: Jointly to Finance Specialist, Director’s Office / MFSDU, UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen, the Child Health Specialist, UNICEF Kenya

BACKGROUND: Under the 2017 GAVI PEF TCA (and as a continuation of the 2016 GAVI PEF TCA activities), UNICEF is planning to support Kenya in the implementation of the action plan developed during the ESAR Commercial Financing Workshop as well as the recommendations from ongoing support on immunization supply financing. UNICEF is therefore looking for the consultant to continue the initiated activities.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT: Under the joint supervision of the Finance Specialist, Director’s Office / MFSDU, UNICEF Supply Division, and the Child Health Specialist, UNICEF Kenya, the consultant’s duties and responsibilities will include:

1) Follow up on the action plan proposed by the country during the ESAR Commercial Financing Workshop in September 2016 and development of the transition plan for the immunization program. These include: a) collection of feedback within Government regarding the use of commercial financing tools for health supplies b) drafting of respective feedback templates and subsequent analysis c) organization of follow-up workshop to discuss the collected information and ensure good understanding of the issues, and determination of the next steps for collaboration.

1. Work with Government and commercial banks on the structuring and operationalization/potential implementation of a commercial financing tool (as a “pilot” transaction) as follow-up to ESAR Commercial Financing Workshop and action plan e.g., trust fund solution, commercial bank guarantee or letter of credit (or other innovative approaches to improve availability of domestic funding and financing for immunization supply) as a preparation for Kenya’s gradual transition from GAVI support.
2. Support capacity building at County Government level to improve forecasting, planning and budgeting for immunization.
3. Further support government coordination with UNICEF and GAVI in relation to forecasting and aligning procedures for estimating domestic resources spent on immunization. Develop a roadmap towards ensuring preparedness for increasing self-funding requirements related to the country’s transition from GAVI support.
4. Support Ministry of Health regarding the advocacy for increased and sufficient EPI budget.
5. Review opportunities for improving internal efficiency in immunization in Kenya through promotion of sound procurement practices and collect and use data to improve utilization of vaccines and devices at the county level.
6. Establish system for tracking budget allocations and budget implementation for immunization at county and national level.
7. Assist in preparation of the final workshop/closing meeting(s) to present the developed recommendations from the above activities to all key stakeholders; based on the agreements reached during the workshop, develop the detailed action plan for recommendations’ implementation.

KEY DELIVERABLES: Prepare a workshop (jointly with UNICEF staff) to present the key takeaways and next steps relating to the feedback obtained from Government regarding the use of commercial financing tools for health supplies (10% time allocation)

In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance of Kenya, the consultant will collect the required information and assist in the preparation of the workshop (jointly with UNICEF staff) to present the key takeaways and next steps.

Structuring and operationalization/potential implementation of a commercial financing tool (as a “pilot” transaction) and/or other innovative approaches to improve the availability of domestic funding and financing for immunization supply (20% time allocation)

In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance of Kenya, as well as commercial banks, the consultant will work towards the operationalisation/potential implementation of a commercial financing tool and summarize the key considerations and process steps in a report for government’s future reference.

Prepare a report outlining how forecasting, planning and budgeting for immunization have been / will improved (10% time allocation)

In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office and County (and National) Governments the consultant will prepare a report outlining how forecasting, planning and budgeting for immunization have been / will improved.

Review and alignment of government’s and partners’ procedures relating to the forecasting and estimating of domestic resources spent on immunization. Develop a roadmap towards ensuring preparedness for increasing self-funding requirements related to the country’s transition from GAVI support (10% time allocation)

In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office, GAVI, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance of Kenya, the consultant will prepare a report summarizing the key aspects of the above review and roadmap and provide respective recommendations.

Develop an action plan to support Ministry of Health regarding the advocacy for increased and sufficient EPI budget (5% time allocation)

In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office and the Ministry of Health, the consultant will provide a report outlining an action plan to support Ministry of Health regarding the advocacy for increased and sufficient EPI budget.

Review opportunities for improving internal efficiency in immunization in Kenya through promotion of sound procurement practices and collect and use data to improve utilization of vaccines and devices at the county level (5% time allocation)

In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office and the Ministry of Health, the consultant will provide a report summarizing the key aspects of the above review and provide respective recommendations.

Establish a system for tracking budget allocations and budget implementation for immunization at county and national level (5% time allocation)

In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance of Kenya, the consultant will test and establish the above system and provide a report summarizing the key aspects of the above review and provide respective recommendations.

Prepare the final assessment report with recommendations (30% time allocation)

The consultant will prepare the final assessment report including a summary of all the above mentioned deliverables and recommendations (including a detailed action plan for recommendations’ implementation).

Prepare the final workshop/closing meeting(s) (jointly with UNICEF staff) to present the recommendations (5% time allocation)**

The consultant will assist in preparation of the workshop (jointly with UNICEF staff) to present the developed analysis and recommendations.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Master Degree in Business, Public Health, Development or Public Finance, Economics / or in another relevant discipline for health / supply financing

Work Experience: Minimum ten years professional relevant work experience in health fiscal space analysis, health / immunization financing, setting up financial solutions for health (including trust funds etc).

Competencies: The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following competencies that are considered to be necessary to this consultancy:

Core Competencies

Excellent communicator of verbal and written concepts to a government and international audience.

Able to quickly understand instructions, to proactively seek clarification when needed.

Able to work well in a team environment.

Functional Competencies

Works independently and problem-solving oriented.

Works in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.

Demonstrated communication and relationship-building skills.

Proven capacity to work with and lead collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skills.

UNICEF CORE VALUES

Diversity and Inclusion Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible.

Integrity Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands; keeps promises; immediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behaviour; resists pressure in decision-making from internal and external sources; does not abuse power or authority.

Commitment Demonstrates commitment to UNICEF’s mission and to the wider UN system; demonstrates the values of UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours; seeks out new challenges, assignments and responsibilities; promotes UNICEF’s cause.

Language: Very good working knowledge (written and spoken) of English is required.

How to apply:

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote for the consultancy which must include: the total consultancy fee (broken down into daily rate in US Dollars and number of consultancy days), travel costs (with details of the economy class ticket price) and administrative fees (if applicable, broken down into the separate categories of costs like internet, phone etc).
3. CV.
4. Examples of previous, relevant work.
5. References.

The applications should be submitted online through the UNICEF website via the following link: www.unicef.org/employment (requisition no. 504341). Queries can be directed to [email protected] with subject line “Immunization Supply Financing Consultant”. Applications must be received by 7 May 2017. Please indicate your availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a telephone interview and will be evaluated by the following criteria:

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 70 points)

Overall Response (20 points)

Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response

Overall match between the TOR requirements and consultant’s competencies

Technical Capacity (50 points)

Relevance of consultant’s experience with similar projects and as per required qualifications

Quality of previous work

References

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION – Total Points

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 30 points)

Daily rate

Economy Air Ticket

Other costs

Total estimated cost of contract (proposed contract fee only)

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL – Weight Combined Score

TOTAL SCORE

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.

11.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.