Background

The system is currently fragmented, funders and implementing partners are organized in a haphazard manner. There is a lot of duplication of efforts and this is creating a lot of waste. This has greatly affected the way samples are collected, stored, transported and results returned to the patient. The fragmentation has greatly affected the patient and facility level practitioner who find it difficult to follow through and track the results of their specimens.

It is against this background that MOHCC is seeking the services of a consultant to do a situation analysis of current transport systems, document them and recommend sustainable system(s) for pilot in Zimbabwe.

Duties and Responsibilities

This consultancy aims to develop and design a sustainable and integrated specimen transportation system in Zimbabwe to enable effective and efficient transportation of specimens from 1560 health facilities to the various diagnostic laboratories in the country. The results of this integrated sample design will be followed by a pilot which will inform the scale up of the integrated sample pilot countrywide. The consultant will work with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to identify the current partners in the transportation of samples from health facilities to the 8 provincial and 3 central laboratories in the country. With a view to harmonizing sample collection from health facilities and then bunch them at district laboratory level before dispatch to the other levels. Within the period of the situation analysis, the consultant will attend meetings that will be convened by MOHCC.

  • Situation Analysis/ (Desk Review) of current specimen transportation systems at the different levels of the health delivery system, including their strengths and weaknesses and the players involved to date;
  • A report of the situation analysis which should have recommendations on sustainable system(s) for rural and urban settings in Zimbabwe: 1. From facility to district level laboratories; 2.From district level to specialized/ central laboratories;
  • Design and layout of the proposed integrated specimen transportation system to be utilized in the country. (To also include a detailed plan for the pilot phase);
  • Pilot layout for implementation by MOHCC;
  • Analysis of the pilot report in consultation with MOHCC and pass final recommendations for adoptions. The pilot will generate lessons that will be incorporated into the sample transportation policy that partners will use to support MOHCC.

Deliverables/ Outputs:

  • Situation Analysis and report within 18 days;
  • Pilot layout for implementation by MOHCC, 6 days;
  • Analysis of the pilot report in consultation with MOHCC 6, days.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations.

Functional Competencies:

  • Excellent organisational and administrative skills;
  • Excellent analytical and strong communication skills both written and spoken;
  • Ability to work in a complex environment;
  • Sound knowledge of lab specimen transportation systems in the region or internationally;
  • Ability to work in a team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • A Master’s Degree in public health or health related; and
  • Certification in logistics and supply chain management

Experience:

  • At least 5 years’ Experience or proven record in evaluation and designing laboratory transport systems within the region;
  • Strong analytical skills will be required for this work;
  • participation in evaluation of laboratory systems in the region or internationally in particular lab specimen transportation systems will be an added advantage;
  • Project Experience working with National Governments, UN Familiarity and other Multi-lateral institutions.

Language:

  • Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Timeline, Reporting and Quality Control for the assignment:

  • The consultancy is for a period of 30 person working days,
  • The contract will jointly be managed the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC), Directorates of Laboratory Services and Aids & TB Programs, The UNDP will take responsibility for the approval of the final evaluation report in liaison with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Directorates of Laboratory Services and Aids & TB Programs.

Application procedure:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Technical Proposal:-

(i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work (1 page)

(ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work

Applications without Technical Proposals will not be considered. Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

Evaluation:

The Consultant will be evaluated based on the qualifications and the years of experience, as outlined in the qualifications/requirements section of the ToRs. In addition, the Consultant will also be evaluated on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis: When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;

Technical Criteria weight: 70%.

Financial Criteria weight: 30%.

The award of the contract shall be made to the Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/ compliant / acceptable; and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the ToR.

Selection Criteria:

Technical Evaluation: 70% of total evaluation (maximum 70 points):

  • Criteria A: Education (maximum 20 points);
  • Criteria B: Experience (maximum 40 points,
  • Criteria C:Organisation and completeness of the proposal (maximum 10 points).

Final selection: Only the candidate with the highest rank will be selected.

Note: Only the highest ranked candidates who have obtained a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation

Financial proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable deliverables (qualitative and quantitative). The financial proposal must include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).