Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners that can bring about results.

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan and help countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

BPPS supports UNDP’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, focusing on 7 outcomes including strengthening institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services (outcome 3). The HIV, Health and Development Group (HHD), within BPPS, is helping to contribute towards this outcome.

UNDP is a founding cosponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and a co-sponsor of several other international health partnerships. UNDP’s work on HIV, health and development, as described in the HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021: Connecting the Dots, leverages UNDP’s core strengths and mandates in human development, governance and capacity development to complement the efforts of specialist health-focused UN agencies.

As a trusted, long-term partner with extensive operational experience, UNDP supports countries in effective implementation of complex, multilateral and multi-sectoral health projects, while simultaneously investing in capacity development so that national and local partners can assume these responsibilities over time. The UNDP/Global Fund partnership is an important part of this work, facilitating access to resources for action on SDG 3 by countries that face constraints in directly receiving and managing such funding. 

UNDP’s Partnership with the Global Fund

UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund is a powerful contributor to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including SDG 3 and UNDP’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021); through this partnership, UNDP plays a key role in supporting countries facing challenging circumstances to deliver on SDG 3 and strengthen institutions to deliver essential basic services (Outcome 3) and a return to sustainable development pathways in post conflict and post-disaster settings (Outcome 6). In strategic terms, in 2016 and 2017 the partnership between UNDP and the Global Fund was marked by increased convergence among implementation support, capacity development/systems strengthening and policy. First, UNDP continued to strengthen its status as a key implementer of Global Fund grants in crisis and early recovery environments. Second, UNDP responded to increasing demand for capacity development from national entities and the Global Fund to strengthen resilient systems for health through a new generation of capacity development plans.  And third, as UNDP’s policy and implementation roles increasingly converge and reinforce each other, UNDP is supporting the Global Fund to increase engagement on human rights, key populations and gender aspects of disease responses at strategic, policy and program levels (as priority objectives in the Global Fund Strategy, “Investing to End Epidemics” (2017-2022). As of January 2018, UNDP served as the temporary Principal Recipient (PR) in 18 countries and 3 regional grants. Given the importance of the partnership with the Global Fund, UNDP continues to provide high value-added services both in its PR role, increasingly as a significant technical partner to governments and civil society organizations (CSOs) who implement Global Fund grants and beyond UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund is overseen by the BBPS/HHD Global Fund/Health Implementation Support Team (GF/HIST) in close coordination with Country Offices, Regional Bureaus, the Legal Office and the Bureau of Management.

The national and international health landscapes are rapidly changing: new health initiatives are emerging and bring to light pressing challenges connected with health systems strengthening including, health procurement and supply management that require a new modus operandi to optimize UNDP’s investments into global health. These opportunities go beyond UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund.  In addition, there is a need for UNDP to continue to expand opportunities for partnerships with key stakeholders on health procurement including GAVI, World Bank and UNITAID. UNDP has a broad range of partnerships including with technical partners (e.g., WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, Stop TB) and emergency and humanitarian partners (e.g., UNHCR, IRC, OCHA). 

The PSM Consultant shall play a key role in PSM support to selected UNDP Country Offices (COs) where UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient for Global Fund grants or is providing support to government on health procurement, with a broad range of responsibilities related to the procurement and supply chain management, PSM components of the grants throughout each stage of the grant life cycle.  The PSM Consultant will work in close collaboration with other Global Fund Partnership team staff, the Global Fund, Country Offices and other health partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Health PSM Advisor (Geneva), the PSM Consultant will be responsible for: 

Supports effective management of Global Fund programmes and other health and development projects providing advisory and support services for procurement and supply chain management issues, focusing on PSM for programmes across UNDP’s regions: 

  • Support UNDP in its role as interim Principal Recipient and other health and development projects;
  • Provide technical assistance to Country Offices (COs) in the formulation of health products lists (HPL), in preparation and obtaining the Global Fund’s and government approvals of PSM related documents during the application and grant making process;
  • Provide technical support to COs throughout the grant life cycle and support the preparation, monitoring and implementation of Procurement Action Plans and Quality Assurance Plans;
  • Provide technical support to COs to strengthen national supply chains and more particularly, on best practices in health procurement and supply chain management including (but not limited to) product selection, forecasting/quantification, LMIS, inventory management, distribution and storage;
  • Provide technical support to COs to prepare and reply to PSM related sections of progress updates /disbursement requests, Office of Audit and Investigations audits and Global Fund quality reviews;
  • Identify gaps and areas of improvement in in-country PSM systems for relevant health programmes (within all stages of the PSM cycle) and support the COs in strengthening the identified areas;
  • Provide support for the development of terms of reference, recruitment processes and to monitor the performance of PSM human resources in COs;
  • Provide advice to COs on UNDP compliant procurement processes, provide support to formulation of CAP and ACP submissions;
  • Provide support in preparation of the Value-for-Money (VFM) submissions for direct programmatic engagement of the potential Sub-recipients.

Monitoring risks related to PSM and other programme areas that can influence PSM delivery by the COs to mitigate procurement and supply chain management challenges and improve quality assurance:

  • Monitor the PSM capacity of Country Offices on a regular basis;
  • Ensure detailed procurement and supply chain management risk mapping of every grant implemented by UNDP.

Knowledge sharing on procurement and supply chain management with CO staff:  

  • Ensure systematic knowledge sharing on procurement with COs by assisting the Senior Health Procurement Advisor (Geneva) in the organization of training events (including webinars, workshops) and in the development of knowledge tools, guidance materials;
  • Preparing for meetings and participating in meetings with partners (internal and external);
  • Preparing analysis of health procurement activities, data analysis, case studies and presentations;   
  • Actively participate in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote capacity development in procurement and supply chain management.

Expected Deliverables:

Supports effective management of Global Fund programmes and other health and development projects providing advisory and support services for procurement and supply chain management issues:

  • Health product lists completed in countries under grant negotiations and quantification files reviewed for approval by the GF in all countries;
  • Procurement Action Plans completed for approval by the GF/HIST; 
  • PSM sections of PU/DRs completed for review by the GF; 
  • Report of analysis for improvement of in-country PSM systems for relevant health programmes as needed;
  • Implementation of Quality Assurance Plans reviewed, correction measures taken (if any); 
  • Support to grant negotiations; 
  • Support to COs to implement audit recommendations;
  • Support to COs to solve any specific PSM bottlenecks (based on demands from countries) where UNDP is the PR and where UNDP has other agreements;
  • Country visits to 3 countries (Afghanistan, Sudan and Uzbekistan) to assess PSM work in projects and to provide support to PSM staff in COs;

Monitoring risks related to PSM and other programme areas that can influence PSM delivery by the COs to mitigate procurement and supply chain management challenges and improve quality assurance in the COs:

  • Regular follow-up of procurement and supply chain management activities with COs and formulate practical recommendations to COs to mitigate any identified risks;
  • Feed this information through the Early Warning System;
  • Contribute to country-focused regular calls or internal meetings  with key partners as needed.

Knowledge sharing on procurement and supply chain management with Country Office staff:

  • Provide regular support to CO PSM Specialists and more particularly for trouble shooting;
  • Support the development of guidance documents and the preparation of training events such as the PSM workshop and webinars;
  • GF/HIST focal point for collecting   procurement/QA information on specific products;
  • Upon request from the Senior Health PSM Advisor (Geneva), participate in external meetings.

Reporting:

The PSM Consultant shall report to the Senior Health PSM Advisor (Geneva) for any queries and assistance on a day-to-day basis.

Travel: 

5-day tentative missions to Afghanistan, Sudan and Uzbekistan.

Payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be covered and paid for by UNDP. The fare will always be “most direct, most economical” and any difference in price with the preferred route will be paid for by the expert.

Evaluation:

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and competencies specified below through a desk review or an interview process. Applicants will be evaluated based on: Cumulative analysis method that combines the results of technical and financial evaluation results.

Technical Evaluation Criteria (maximum 70 points):

  • Educational Qualifications – 5 points
  • Additional Languages  - 5 points
  • A minimum of 7 years progressive relevant professional experience in procurement supply management for health programmes including at least 4 years of international experience – 15 points
  • Sound knowledge of Global Fund polices and processes and experience working on Global Fund programmes -13 points
  • Work experience in developing countries – 10 points
  • Strong familiarity with the UN or UNDP system procurement and supply management practices, rules and procedures, desirable – 12 points
  • Solid experience in the management of people and systems in high-pressure environments – 10 points

Financial Evaluation Criteria (maximum 30 points):

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Timeframe:

The consultant’s 130-day assignment will be UNDP Geneva based and conducted over the period 25 June to 31 December 2018. 

Payment:

  • The consultant will be paid as a daily rate (based on the number of days worked).
  • Payments will be based on the Certificate of Payments that will be submitted on a monthly basis;
  • Time Sheet will be attached and verified by the direct supervisor; and
  • Final tranche upon performance evaluation from the direct supervisor.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional:

  • Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products.

Project and Resource Management:

  • Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs;
  • Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service;
  • Strong organizational skills;
  • Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs;
  • Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Partnership building and team work:

  • Demonstrated well developed people management skills;
  • Strong ability to manage teams; creating an enabling environment, mentoring and developing staff;
  • Excellent negotiating and networking skills;
  • Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment;
  • Provides constructive coaching and feedback.

Communications and Advocacy:

  • Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly;
  • Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences;
  • Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically;
  • Strong capacity to communicate clearly and quickly;
  • Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Procurement and Supply Management, Public Health, Business Administration, Economics/Management or related field;
  • Complimentary qualifications in public/international health/pharmacy is desirable.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 7 years progressive relevant professional experience in procurement supply management for health programmes including at least 4 years of international experience;
  • Sound knowledge of Global Fund polices and processes and experience working on Global Fund programmes;
  • Work experience in developing countries highly desirable;
  • Strong familiarity with the UN or UNDP procurement and supply management practices, rules and procedures, desirable;
  • Solid experience in the management of people and systems in high-pressure environments;           
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages and web-based management systems.

Languages:

  • Excellent oral and written English; 
  • A second UN language is desirable and more particularly French or Russian.

Other Requirements:

Willingness to travel to UNDP Country Offices.

GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION:

Interested applicants are advised to carefully review this advertisement and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described.

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Please note that our system only takes one attachment. Therefore, kindly scan all your documents into a single PDF file to upload.

*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. living expenses, fees, health insurance, vaccination costs, visa costs, travel to duty station costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged costs except travel costs for missions, must be included in the financial proposal. 

Security: 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 https://trip.dss.un.org

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

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.

ANNEX 1- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS is provided here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf