If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the Assignment:
The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF through its support to the government of Liberia to meet the needs of children and their mothers procures multiple goods and services on need basis. Some of these supplies/services are procured from local vendors, manufacturers and firms. UNICEF keeps a database of these local vendors that can be consulted at any time a tendering process is undertaken. Based on market evolution, renewed market assessment is normally undertaken in order to maintain an up-to-date supplier database. In this regard, UNICEF Liberia office seeks an individual consultant to carry out a local market survey to identify suppliers of goods and services from whom UNICEF will obtain bids through a competitive process in future procurement. Amongst the categories of supplies and services generally required are:
– Printing materials
– Photography services
– Construction Services
– Construction materials and hardware
– IT/Office supplies and equipment
– School, sport and play supplies and equipment
– Various new/used Clothes and clothing materials
– Power Generating Equipment
– Generator maintenance and servicing
– Vehicle spare parts
– Vehicle maintenance and servicing garages
– Communication equipment
– Office and household Furniture
– Office stationery and supplies
– Transport equipment (vehicles and motorcycles)
– Plastic material, handwashing and bathing soap, sanitizers, Water and Sanitation Supplies
– Relief Supplies e.g. buckets, blankets, plastic sheeting etc.
– Photocopy and lamination services
– Air conditioners and photocopiers
– Maintenance services for air conditioners and copiers
-Drilling boreholes
– Carpentry and metal works
– Catering services
– Civil Engineering works
– Computer training
– Professional/Technical consultancy services
– Third party cash/money transfer services
– Computers and training services
– Courier services (local and International)
– Fire extinguisher services
– Insurance brokerage
– School supplies, learning and teaching materials
– Vehicle rental services (trucks and light vehicles)
– Cleaning and janitorial services
– Fumigation services
– Security guards services
– Water tinkering services
– Customs clearing and cargo forwarding services
-Translation services (voice and data)
– Audio visual equipment
In addition, the survey is expected to identify and pre-qualify service providers for:
- Various communication services (Printing, Graphic Design, Photo, Video)
- Maintenance of office equipment, cleaning services
- Travel agencies / Transport services
- Engineering and construction services / Building maintenance services
- Shipping and forwarding services
- Vehicle maintenance services
- Telecom/communication services
- Hotel services, accommodation, meeting rooms and equipment
The exact list of the activities will be finalized prior to the start of the assignment. The outcome of the assessment shall be compiled into a database, based on the categories of the goods and services.
Assignment Tasks:
Under the direct supervision of the CO Liberia Supply and Logistics Manager, the Consultant shall carry out the following assignments:
- Prepare a methodological framework and corresponding tools for undertaking a detailed market survey for identification of local suppliers and service providers in Liberia.
- Solicit, receive and review expressions of interest from interested local vendors and firms for undertaking services or supply of goods to UNICEF and/or other UN agencies in the country and compile a long list of such vendors and service providers.
- The Consultant furthermore assesses the status of the local market by sourcing for suppliers via such institutions as the Ministry of Trade, Chamber of Commerce, Employers organization, etc.
- The Consultant with the help of a local staff member or local consultant will undertake inspection visits to the premises of each of the suppliers/firms to assess their suitability, capacity (financial, personnel, logistics, holding stock etc.) and prepare a detailed Supplier Inspection Report.
- Obtain feedback from a cross section of clients of the selected vendors and firms.
- Review and analyze all data collected in the course of the assessment through the various visits, interviews, materials and equipment inspection at the potential vendors’ premises.
- Prepare a short list of assessed vendors and firms based on their suitability for supply of their selected categories of supplies or services
- Develop a database and prepare a hard copy file consisting of information covering all pre-qualified vendors and firms including their contact details.
- Prepare recommendations as to the systematic way of updating of list of suppliers and evaluation of their performance.
- Write a report including the methodology and the main conclusions and recommendations as the outcome of the comprehensive market survey exercise.
Expected Deliverables:
The following will be required from the consultant upon the completion of this assignment:
- List of the recommended suppliers by type of items and classified by reliability/acceptability.
- A report highlighting the actual profile of each supplier mentioning their authentic business license; respect of the rules in force in the country; the scope of activities and abilities; skills; reliability; origin and availability of stock.
- A supplier database which will be used for bidding purposes and updating of UNICEF suppliers base.
- Recommendations as to the methodology which should be followed for systematic updating and maintaining the newly developed list of suppliers.
- Recommend methodology which should enable UNICEF to effectively evaluate the performance of each supplier.
- Report setting out the methodology followed during the assignment and the main conclusions and recommendations based on the results of the market survey (assignment).
Duration:This proposed market survey shall be conducted over a period of 3 months starting November 2017.
Location:The consultant will be based in Monrovia, Liberia during the market survey exercise.
The Assessment and Pre-qualification Phase:
The following minimum requirements need to be met to become a supplier for UNICEF Liberia.
- A copy of certificate of the company’s legal registration i.e. Certificate of Incorporation;
- Ethical principles: must not have undertaken unethical, unprofessional or fraudulent activities and is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise identified as ineligible by any UN Organization or the World Bank Group for reason related to unethical behaviour;
- Has experience in manufacturing or supplying products of interest to UNICEF;
- Is financially viable;
- Product and company specific requirements (ISO certification, quality standards etc.);
- Complete registration process in the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) vendor registration online portal. UNGM-registered vendors become part of a large repository accessible by all UN agencies. It gives more visibility to sourcing for potential vendors.
Any exceptions to the above minimum requirements should be justified and documented.
Selection of suppliers and Visit Plan:
- Based on the documentation received and reviewed list of potential suppliers is identified for further inspection and assessment.
- Identified suppliers are contacted to agree on dates and time for the site visits. Ensure that the official representing the supplier has the authority to answer all the questions.
- Prepare a checklist to use during the visit to ensure that all aspects are covered. Inspections can also validate information in other documentation received.
Final Pre-qualification following inspection/risk factors:
The following examples are provided as guidance of Procurement Risk profile which exists for UNICEF in the local market and may create outcomes which harm the organization good name, capability to delivery supplies and reputation.
- lost/reduced capability of supplier due to outsourcing problems;
- delivery problems due to supplier bankruptcy;
- cash flow of supplier damaged due to soaring or volatile prices;
- reduced capacity of supplier due to allocation of supplies;
- poor performance of supplier due to disrupted (offshore) supply chains;
- Risk of harming UNICEF’s capability and reputation;
- Risk of supplier not paying its obligations in the short/long-term;
- Risk of inefficiencies in the operating cycle of the supplier;
- Risk of the supplier not being able to continue as a going concern;
- Risk of supplier ineffective management;
- Risk of supplier running out of capital to sustain the business;
- Risk of fail to deliver due to financial in viability of the supplier;
- Financial planning of the supplier hit by economic instability and crises.
When no previous benchmark exists, and/or the local market maturity is not significant, the following pre-qualification approach, focusing on aspects that would disqualify suppliers, as opposed to factors that would qualify them, could be an option:
- Approved: when no significant assessed aspect of the supplier could be identified to disqualify from future tenders.
- Approved with conditions: when at least one potential risk factor with low impact was identified that raises questions about the performance or relevance of the supplier.
- Not approved: When a critical risk factor is identified that does not meet the pre-qualification criteria.
The exercise, supported by a comprehensive report including the methodology, principal conclusions and recommendations will produce a database of Pre-Qualified suppliers as the main outcome, and will also contribute to the process of developing a procurement strategy (e.g. local, regional, international) and methods (e.g. LTAs, joint UN LTAs, outsourcing).
Qualifications of Successful Candidate:
- Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Business Administration, International Trade, Management, Economics, International Economics, Engineering, International Development, Supply Chain Management, Supply, Procurement, Purchasing, Contract/commercial Law or a directly related field(s) is required. A valid professional certification (CSCP; CSCM; CPSM; SCMP; etc.) from an accredited supply management institution, in conjunction with a relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s), may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree*
- Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in supply, procurement, purchasing, contracting, administration and/or other related technical fields is required.
- Language: Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required
Expertise and Experience:
- Proven experience in assessment and identification of the suppliers;
- Excellent knowledge skills of working on relevant computer platforms and software including database applications and internet navigation;
- Knowledge of UNICEF Supply processes;
- Knowledge of the Country Environment;
- Provide own working equipment i.e. computer/laptop;
- Provide a minimum of 3 references of clients for whom similar works have been undertaken i.e. Name and description of client company/organization.
Competencies:
- In depth knowledge of procurement and good concept of analyzing financial documents.
- Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage market research and similar projects
- Good analytical, negotiating and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
To view our competency framework, please click here.
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.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
More Information
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