Re-advertisement : UNICEF seeks to recruit a consultant for assessment of procurement system of the ministry of health – Denmark

Location/duration :

Duration :  1 month within the period of 2 months (approximately, to be confirmed)

Location : Expected to be based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (or travel for the extended period of time)

Start Date : November 2018

Reporting to : jointly Procurement Services and Financing Specialist, UNICEF ECARO, Geneva, and UNICEF Kyrgyzstan (to be confirmed)

 

Background :

Following the in-country consultations between the Government and International Partners (including UNICEF) supporting the immunization programme in Kyrgyzstan, the need for the technical support in assessment of the Ministry of Health’s procurement system – with a view to its further integration with the current procurement ­­­arrangements for immunization commodities – has been identified. Procurement for immunization supplies is presently run under auspices of the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis. However, aiming at streamlining health procurement and strengthening the sustainability of the MOH procurement system, this function might be transferred to the newly created procurement department of the Ministry of Health. To better prepare the system for such integration and to increase Government capacities on supply procurement, there is a need to assess existing procurements system. The assessment should review both the procurement system / processes managed by the Ministry of Health’s Procurement Department as well as the current arrangements for procurement of immunization commodities. The assessment results should include the system gaps to be addressed before the integration and provide recommendations on how the current procurement of immunization commodities can be successfully incorporated into the procurement system of the Ministry of Health.

Furthermore, the assessment will provide a basis upon which the consultant in consultation with the Ministry of Health and with international partners (including UNICEF) should develop a capacity development plan to improve the procurement system. Similarly, the assessment can be used to develop strategies for assisting the capacity develop plan and to mitigate risks in the individual operations that the stakeholders decide to fund for the GAVI programme. The long-term goal is that the country will improve its health procurement system to meet internationally recognized standards enabling greater effectiveness in the use of funds.

In this light, UNICEF is currently looking for a consultant to perform the assessment with the deliverables listed below.

 

Description of assignment :

Under the joint supervision of Procurement Services and Financing Specialist, UNICEF ECARO, Geneva, and UNICEF Kyrgyzstan, the consultant will :

• Assess both the procurement system of the Ministry of Health’s Procurement Department and the current arrangements for procurement of immunization commodities as well as identify the gaps to be addressed before the integration ;
• Conduct a root cause analysis through collection of­­­ data on the root causes for capacity constraints and gaps identified which is necessary for formulation of appropriate capacity development plan ;
• Provide recommendations on how the current procurement of immunization commodities can be successfully incorporated into the procurement system of the Ministry of Health as well as on how to efficiently strengthen the procurement system. The recommendations should cover the present state and be also linked to the future ideal state of the health procurement system, thus, the CD plan should have all these elements ;
• Ensure the assessment results and the capacity development plan are agreed upon with key stakeholders. For this it is recommended that a validation exercise involving key stakeholders is included in the process. Thus, a meeting with stakeholders to present the results, discuss and agree on the capacity development plan should be conducted ;
• Develop a final consultancy report with a detailed budgeted and timed capacity development plan with actions to address the identified gaps and, therefore, help building a resilient and sustainable health procurement system. Thus, the CD plan together with relevant adds-on to sections and chapters need to be added to the report.

Assessment Methodology :

The assessment needs to be guided by one of the internationally recognized assessment methodologies, for example, by the methodology for assessing procurement systems (MAPS) developed under the auspices of the joint World Bank and OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Procurement Round Table initiative. MAPS is structured around four pillars, namely: Legislative and Regulatory Framework; Institutional Framework and Management Capacity; Procurement Operations and Market Practice; and Integrity of the Public Procurement System. However, since the assessment foresees assessment at the sectoral (health) and organisational level (the Ministry of Health), it should target specifically this entry point, thus, the selected methodology will need to be specifically adapted and designed by the consultant. As a general rule, the assessment design should reflect that the capacities involved at the sectoral level are of a much more operational nature than at a national level. In the light of this, the consultant should provide the adapted methodology before the start of the assessment for the review and agreement with UNICEF Country Office and the Regional Office.

 

Key deliverables :

• Assessment methodology. (10% time allocation)

The consultant will develop and provide the adapted methodology before the start of the assessment for the review and agreement with UNICEF Country Office and the Regional Office.

• Assessment of both the procurement system of the Ministry of Health’s Procurement Department and the current arrangements for procurement of immunization commodities as well as identification of the gaps to be addressed for the purpose of integration of both systems.  Conduction of a root cause analysis through collection of data on the root causes for capacity constraints and gaps identified which is necessary for formulation of an appropriate CD plan with actions. (50% time allocation)

In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office and the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan the consultant will conduct the assessment and the root cause analysis.

• Organization and conduction of a meeting with stakeholders to present the results, discuss and agree on the CD plan with actions. (20% time allocation)

In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office and the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan the consultant will prepare and conduct a meeting to present the results, discuss and agree on the next steps and the CD plan.

• Final report with a detailed budgeted and timed CD plan with actions to address the identified gaps and, therefore, help building a resilient and sustainable health procurement system. (20% time allocation)

The consultant will prepare a final consultancy report in English (and/or Russian in case of a Russian speaking consultant) that should include the assessment results based on the country context, highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the system, their relative importance, the major risks identified and their likely consequences for the efficiency of the procurement system. The recommendations on what elements need to be built into the integrated procurement system to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness. The analysis should cover the present state and the recommendations should be also linked to the future ideal state of the health procurement system. A detailed budgeted and timed CD plan with actions, including capacity building, should be an integral part of the report. Monitoring the progress of system improvements in accordance with the proposed plan should be also included into the report.

 

Qualification requirements :

Education : Master Degree in Business, Public Health, Development, Procurement and Supply Chain Management and / or in another relevant discipline for health procurement and supply management.

Work Experience : Minimum seven years of professional relevant work experience in health/immunization procurement systems analysis and assessment, setting up solutions for health procurement systems restructuring, reforms, and/or system improvements. Knowledge of and experience of the Central Asia region and/or Kyrgyzstan is an asset.

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 :

Fluency in written and spoken English and/or Russian is required.

 

Evaluation process :

Qualified candidates are requested to submit :

1. Cover letter/application that must also briefly describe the understanding of the objectives of the consultancy and the approach to deliver the expected results ;
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 and P11 ;
4. Examples of previous, relevant work ;
5. References ;
6. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html).

The applications should be submitted online through the UNICEF website.Queries can be directed to skavaliova@unicef.org with subject line “Consultant for Assessment of Procurement System of the Ministry of Health (Kyrgyzstan).” Applications must be received by 20 November 2018. Please indicate your availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above.  Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. UNICEF considers best value for money as a criteria for evaluating potential candidates.  As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee.

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

	Applicant x
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