Background

The UN’s journey towards their own operational climate neutrality began officially on 5th June 2007 when UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon publicly called on all UN agencies, funds and programmes to ‘go green’ and become climate neutral. Driven initially by the UN initiative “Greening the Blue”(1), with an interest to promote climate neutrality within the UN, the focus was largely on addressing associated greenhouse gas emissions. However, the Sustainable UN Facility in collaboration with sustainability focal points in about 60 UN entities and the HLCM procurement network has extended the focus area onto other critically important purchasing categories as well including the focus on resource depletion and eco- and human-toxicity in the context of procurements for the health sector.

Linkages between health sector procurement and the environment are still only partially understood despite the fact that the important role of procurement in influencing the environmental impact of health sector operations is well acknowledged. For example, studies show carbon emissions by national health systems and global health programmes are closely linked to procurement, especially with regards to pharmaceuticals and other health products throughout their life cycle including production, use and disposal. (2,3,4)

The informal Interagency Task Team on Sustainable Procurement in the Health Sector (SPHS) (5)was established in May 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ten SPHS members (UNDP, UNEP, UNFPA, UHNCR, UNICEF, UNOPS, WHO, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNITAID) conduct high volume procurement in the health sector, representing a sizable portion of some segments of the global pharmaceutical and other health products markets. The cumulative purchasing power of SPHS members in the global health aid market is about USD 5 billion annually. The aim for establishing the Task Team was to facilitate and coordinate the introduction of green procurement in the health sector among members and to leverage the standard-setting and joint procurement volumes of member agencies to influence the global health aid market (governments and other international development partners) and beyond. Thereby the SPHS Task Team intends to act as a driver for transformational change towards greener health systems and inclusive green economies. (6,7)

The ability of the SPHS to effectively address the challenge of sustainable procurement hinges on its ability to galvanize collective engagement among public, private and non-profit stakeholders. During 2016, a new B2B business model has been developed to promote how the UNDP HHD team and SPHS Secretariat can advise and facilitate the implementation of extensive measures for greening healthcare public procurement systems. To drive the implementation of green procurement practices as part of national healthcare systems, the UNDP HIV, Health and Development (HHD) Team at the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is seeking the services of a junior consultant with a track record of environmental work in/with healthcare procurement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and overall supervision of the SPHS Coordinator, and in close collaboration with the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub HIV, Health and Development team and the SPHS Secretariat and members, the Junior Consultant on Green Procurement in the Health Sector will:

• Extend network of technical experts aware of B2B service offering model focusing on the three key areas:  packaging and innovation, water and wastewater and energy efficiency and renewable energies. Take preliminary conversations through completion of forms;
• Engage with suppliers and manufacturers and healthcare and pharmaceutical sector associations to promote and ensure the implementation of B2B service offering model;
• In collaboration with the communications team, develop appropriate plan for UNDP and SPHS communication channels to make B2B service offering widely known. Make the generic service offering available online;
• Provide inputs to the development and implementation of communication plan to showcase resulting projects and benefits and results through knowledge and practice on the SPHS page, voices page and through twitter campaign;
• Apply the B2B service offering marketing template and develop green procurement facilitation packages for the following focus areas: chemicals, resource efficiency and waste management. This will be done in collaboration with technical partners of the SPHS network based on available draft concept notes;
• Identify and develop engagement strategies for 3 producing countries of health sector products procured by UNDP, beyond India. Develop engagement plan for main supplier and manufacturers of those countries and promotion of the B2B service offering model;
• Participate in the resource-mobilization process to support the implementation of concrete proposals for greening healthcare public procurement;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Expected outputs and deliverables:

• Detailed work-plan (1-2 pages) – 1 week after signing the contract;
• Built portfolio of technical experts with up to 30 profiles – months 1 to 7 after signing the contract;
• Implemented concrete proposals to integrate green solutions into production process and facilitate the B2B engagement between technical network members and suppliers/manufacturers (2 per key focus area) – months 1 to 3 after signing the contract;
• Provide inputs to the development and implementation of communication plan to promote the B2B service offering model and showcase resulting projects and there results and main benefits – months 1 to 3 after signing the contract;
• Developed green procurement facilitation package/service offerings (2-4 pages) for the assessment of suppliers and manufacturers focusing on the three focus areas: chemicals, resource efficiency and waste management; this includes the mapping of SPHS’s technical network members against these focus areas (1 per key thematic area) – months 3 to 4 after signing the contract;
• Developed mapping report and engagement strategy (3 producing countries of health sector products) for key stakeholders among the national suppliers and manufacturers, their business organizations and other organizations/institutions of relevance for the introduction of green production (Mapping report in the format of excel sheet and engagement strategy – up to 5 pages per country) – months 1 to 7 after signing contract;
• Provided support to the resource-mobilization process of the SPHS Secretariat and UNDP Regional HHD team (at least 3 concrete resource mobilization proposals) – months 1 to 7 after signing contract.

Payments will be made on a monthly basis on agreed upon monthly work-plans and confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Competencies

Professionalism: 

• Demonstrated ability and knowledge on sustainability, by working in or with the private sector, particularly in the global healthcare industry;
• Is conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• Remains calm in stressful situations;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 

Communication: 

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 

Teamwork: 

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a development-related field such as environmental engineering, natural resources or related field. Additional course/diploma in relevant field is an asset.

Experience:  

• At least 1 year of relevant  experience  at  the  national  or  international  level in environment related area and sustainable development;
• At least 1 year of experience in the area of business and environment/green economies initiatives is considered a further asset (evaluated based on review of CV);
• Previous affiliation/experience working in the UN or UNDP is an advantage;
• Strong IT skills (experience with in-depth research and handling large databases is an asset).

Language skills: 

• Fluency and ability to communicate and perform complex tasks in English;

Evaluation of Applicants:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications (review of CV) and a lump sum financial proposal/offer.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable;
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who received at least 70% of total score of the technical review (desk review) can be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 50 points:

• Education and additional qualifications (courses, diplomas) - max. 5 points;
• At least 1 year of relevant experience at the national or international level in environment related area and/or sustainable development – max. 20 points;
• Experience in the area of business and environment/green economies initiatives is a further asset – max. 10 points;
• Previous affiliation/experience working in the UN or UNDP is an advantage – max. 5 points;
• Strong IT skills (experience with in-depth research and handling large databases is an asset) as demonstrated through CV – max. 5 points;
• Fluency and ability to communicate and perform complex tasks in English (demonstrated through submitted writing sample) – max. 5 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 21 points.

Application procedures:
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc). Please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
• Financial Proposal* - the candidate is requested to submit price offer in USD consisting of: a) lump sum price proposal/offer for the delivery of all tasks outlined in the TOR, b) travel costs to/from the duty station. Payment to be made once a month upon submitted satisfactory progress report against deliverables (upon monthly work-plan agreed with the Supervisor);
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. consultancy fee, travel to/from duty station, rent of dwelling, fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). Travel costs for missions, if any, will be paid separately according to UNDP rules and regulations. Working space will be provided by the hiring unit (HIV, Health and Development team at the IRH).The selected candidate is responsible for obtaining necessary visas, if applicable. UNDP will strive to support the application process. 

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. 
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under:  http://on.undp.org/t7fJs. 
Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Notes:
(1) http://www.greeningtheblue.org/
(2) http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/library/hiv_aids/rapid-assessment-healthcare-waste-global-fund
(3) http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/library/hiv_aids/Carbon_footprint_UNDP_Global_Fund_health_initiatives_Montenegro_Tajikistan/
(4) http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/hiv-aids/managing-our-climate-change-risk--an-approach-for-environmental-.html
(5) www.iiattsphs.org
(6) https://iiattsphs.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/sphs-6-pager.pdf
(7) https://iiattsphs.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/sphs-annual-report-2014_print_v3.pdf