UNDP Jobs - 92044- Consultant to provide technical assistance and adv

Consultant to provide technical assistance and advice for In-Vitro Diagnostic tests (IVDs) and other laboratory items

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2020

Application Deadline :

19-Jun-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 July to 31 December 2020

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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.

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 the SDGs, to strengthen institutions to progressively deliver universal access to 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 a strategic, policy and program level (as priority objectives in the Global Fund Strategy, “Investing to End Epidemics” (2017-2022). As of January 2017, UNDP served as the temporary Principal Recipient (PR) for 34 Global Fund grants covering 19 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 to civil society organizations (CSOs) who implement Global Fund grants. This 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.

UNDP’s Support to COVID-19

In order to deliver on its mission eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities and building resilience to crisis and shocks, UNDP must help countries to urgently and effectively respond to COVID-19 in the context of the 2030 Agenda. UNDP’s offer to countries is to support an equitable, inclusive and multi-sectoral response. UNDP support focuses on ensuring that crisis management and recovery responses to COVID-19 are leaving no-one behind, as part of a wider and coordinated UN response in supporting countries to implement the WHO Strategic Preparedness Response Plan (SPRP).

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).

Objective of the assignment

Under the overall supervision of the GF/HIST Senior Health Programme and Supply Management (PSM) Advisor, the Consultant will provide technical assistance and advice to the UNDP GF/HIST team and more particularly to the PSM focal points and Country Offices and to the PSU/Global Procurement Unit on Diagnostic tests, laboratory equipment and consumables.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will:

Provide ad-hoc support and recommendations to UNDP PSM focal points in the review of requests for diagnostic tests and other lab items including for COVID-19 received from Country Offices and partners;
Provide feedback on strategic documents developed in countries on laboratory services. When necessary, provide in-country support for diagnostics strategic aspects;
Identify reliable sources of information and recommend experts with adequate competencies in accordance with specificity of requests for diagnostics;
Provide support for the review of current specifications used by UNDP/GPU for the procurement of laboratory items and review technical aspects in tender applications and for the establishment of Long-Term Agreements;
Provide input to the new UNDP Quality Assurance (QA) policy and contribute to the development of the QA manual (focus on IVDs and lab items);
Liaise with international stakeholders involved in the quality assessment of diagnostic products (WHO PQ for diagnostics, WHO TB, malaria, STI departments, FIND/GMP) and analyze their reports;
Review landscape analysis (UNITAID, FIND, etc.) for laboratory products of interest for UNDP procurement;
In close collaboration with PSU/GPU staff, interact with suppliers for technical issues when required and support them technically for the up-coming tender for RDTs with UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO;
Organize training sessions for the staff of UNDP GF/HIST PSM and PSU/GPU (Geneva and Copenhagen) on reliable sources of information for diagnostic tests according to Global Fund requirements and other important aspects to take into consideration when interacting with country offices on laboratory issues.

Expected Deliverables:

Comments and recommendations provided for Country Offices (COs) and partners for diagnostic tests and other lab items;
Feedback provided on specifications, tender applications and Long-Term Agreements;
Participate in the technical analysis of the joint tender for RDTs jointly with the GPU focal point;
Feedback provided on national strategic documents on diagnostics and laboratory services;
Documents with key references on strategic diagnostic aspects and reliable sources of information in accordance to Global Fund Requirements;
Feedback on the review conducted of reports and landscape analysis provided from other partners;
Updated QA requirements for diagnostic tests in the new UNDP QA Policy and for the QA manual;
Set of slides/ presentation for the briefing session with UNDP staff;
Support provided to PSM Specialists on questions received from COs on diagnostics;
Facilitate technical interaction with diagnostic suppliers when required.

Reporting: The consultant will report to the GF/HIST Senior Health PSM Advisor.

Travel:

The consultant will not be required to travel.

Evaluation

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method that combines the results of the technical and financial evaluation. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points on the technical qualifications part will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria for techncial evaluation (70 points maximum)

Academic qualifications - 10 points
Experience in the procurement and access to IVDs, laboratory equipment and consumables for UN organizations or International NGOs - 20 points
Knowledge of Global Fund policy for diagnostics, WHO norms and standards and prequalification for IVDs and international regulations (IMDRF, GHTF, EU) – 40 points

Criteria for financial evaluation (30 points maximum)

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

Payment Method:

Payment: All-inclusive Daily Fee

• 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

Functional Competencies:

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

Project and Resource Management:

Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs.

Partnership building and teamwork:

Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment.
Provides constructive coaching and feedback.

Communications and Advocacy:

Strong ability to write clearly, 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 capacity to communicate clearly and quickly.
Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Biology, biomedical sciences or related field.

Experience:

At least 10 years’ experience in the procurement and access to IVDs, laboratory equipment and consumables for UN organizations or International NGOs;
Good knowledge of Global Fund policy for diagnostics, WHO norms and standards and prequalification for IVDs and international regulations (IMDRF, GHTF, EU).

Language:

Excellent oral and written English.

Application Submission Process:

Please upload the following documents:

Signed and Updated Personal History Form. The template can be downloaded from this link: (P11).

Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability indicating an all-inclusive daily fee in USD. 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.

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

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