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Background
UNICEF is the grant agent for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) grant of $20.58 million awarded in 2016 to the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE), as well as of the Education Development Fund (EDF) funded programme of $21.65 million. These grants cover interventions implemented nationally, largely in the 72 districts spread across the 10 provinces of the country. Some of the activities are also implemented at the sub district levels, namely cluster and school levels. The Education programme works very closely with MoPSE Head Office in the coordination of the activities implemented at the various levels. A substantial part of both EDF and GPE grants is earmarked for the procurement of textbooks, ICT equipment and related teaching/learning materials for the roll out of the new curriculum. This includes inclusivity materials and devices for Special Needs Education (SNE) as part of the 2nd year of the GPE 2 programme in Zimbabwe. A substantive allocation has also been given to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities and resources in 2018 through German funding.
Zimbabwe is rolling out the new curriculum, whose implementation in the classrooms started in 2017. Roll out will continue in a phased way until 2021. Part of the roll out includes the procurement of textbooks and learning materials (including ICT and SNE materials) based on the new syllabi and for the grades phasing in each year. Both the EDF and the GPE2 grants have a substantial amount dedicated to this, and supports the Ministry in all logistical aspects related to the selection, procurement, liaison with publishers, and distribution of the textbooks and learning materials. In addition, DRR features prominently in the 2018 Workplans for the Education Section and this involves procurement of relevant resources and materials. Given the complexity of this process and the timeframe within which procurement needs to be completed and materials delivered to schools, UNICEF would like to engage a consultant to support the procurement and distribution of teaching and learning materials.
Objective
The goal of this consultant is to support the Education programme in:
- procuring and distribution of education supplies to districts and schools
- monitoring and tracking end users’ utilization of the supplied materials
Methodology, Expected Outputs and Scope of Work
Methodology
The consultant will work in the Education and Supply Sections of UNICEF Zimbabwe and will liaise with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education relevant sections. The activities will be implemented by the UNICEF Zimbabwe country office, Education Section in collaboration with Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Key Expected Outputs
The expected outputs are:
- Procurement plan for the amount planned for 2018, with selected titles and order for textbooks made through publishers after agreement with MoPSE and UNICEF; for procurement and distribution of assistive devices and ICT equipment, for procurement and distribution of learning materials including kits; for procurement, storage and placement of DRR materials and resources.
- Logistic and distribution plan
- Stock verification database and system in place
Scope of Work
The consultant will support the completion of the following tasks:
- Work with the UNICEF Education and Supply sections as well as with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to support procurement of textbooks and kits, learning materials, ICT materials, SNE assistive devices and equipment, DRR materials and resources, distribution planning and implementation and ensuring that all targeted supply needs for EDF and GPE grants for 2018 are met.
- Liaise with the Supply and Logistics section and transporters for smooth transportation of all procured materials including kits and for early detection of issues and challenges
- Draft schools’ database with the latest information from MoPSE ensuring all targeted schools are uploaded onto VISION. This will be in preparation of the distribution of the textbooks, kits, materials and resources.
- Work with Education and Supply sections to provide overall support for supply and logistics related work for EDF/GPE2 procurement side of the programmes
- Assist the Supply section on the importation and customs clearance of EDF/GPE2 related materials if procured from outside using lessons learnt from the past importation of materials, textbooks and equipment.
- Prepare distribution plans and work with other Education Section colleagues on the preparation of release orders
- Attend to any transportation related issues for EDF/GPE2 that may need to be addressed for timely implementation
- Stock verification and monitoring of safe storage of the materials in the warehouse and liaise with the relevant sections about the storage.
- Ensure timely pick up, transportation and delivery to meet deadlines and minimize storage costs and demurrage charges. Liaise with MoPSE to ensure timely submission of documentation and uplift of goods.
- Provide overall support to the Supply section in its procurement for the education section.
Major tasks, Deliverables, Timeframe and Payment Schedule
The assignment will be completed within 8 months, starting in June 2018 ending in January 2019.
The proposed schedule of activities is:
Task
Deliverable(s)
Due date
Comment
1
Complete all preparatory work for the procurement of 6,740,000.textbooks and learning materials
Procurement orders are identified, verified and approved by UNICEF and MoPSE. CRC and Supply processes in place.
15 June
2
Monitoring and follow up on the orders
Progress report highlighting challenges and way forward
15 July 2018
ongoing
3
Procurement of assistive devices, DRR materials and resources:
· Procurement of equipment at audiological laboratories and braille printing press at national and provincial level at MoPSE
· Procurement of assistive devices and learning materials to children at schools
· Production and procurement of assistive textbooks (braille books, enlarged books and talking books) to children at schools
Procurement orders are placed. Procurement in liaison with CDTS, SNE, PSNE. Distribution list and storage and transportation organized
15 August 2018
ongoing
4
Distribution and logistical transportation plan for the text books in place
Plan distribution
30 September 2018
ongoing
5
Distribution of textbooks/equipment and resources procured.
All equipment/textbooks/resources procured and distributed
15 October 2018
ongoing
6
Provide technical support in the follow up of the initial distribution
Progress report on follow up of initial distribution
15 November 2018
7
Provide support in ensuring follow up of distribution and utilization of textbooks
Report on continuous distribution and utilization of textbooks
15 December 2018
8
Stock Verification database in the warehouse of the material procured. All goods delivered. End user
End user follow up report including final report on status of exercise
15 January 2018
Final report on status of exercise, issues and challenges
UNICEF will provide all necessary administrative and logistical support.
Consultancy Requirements
- A minimum of Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Education, Supply and Logistics or other related field
- At least 2 years’ experience with large procurements, logistics and distribution (if in education, an advantage)
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English
- Good computer, research and data analysis skills;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to support multidisciplinary teams;
- Familiar with the Zimbabwe context, the national education system
- Ability to interact and communicate with government and non-government partners
Application Procedure
If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV, Technical and an all-inclusive financial proposal detailing monthly professional fees, travel related costs for an estimated 30 travel days outside Harare spread over the duration of the contract and any other miscellaneous costs.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
UNICEF does not charge a fee or require personal banking details at any stage of the recruitment process
More Information
- Job City Harare
