Procurement International Consultant, Zanzibar, Tanzania, 12 months, Remotely

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, deliver. 

The availability of medicines and other essential health supplies is crucial for the effective delivery of quality health services, as they play a vital role in preventing, treating, and managing various diseases and conditions. However, in many developing countries, health commodities stock-outs are a pervasive issue compromising treatment outcomes and leading to increased healthcare costs. 

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has identified challenges in procuring health commodities, which have led to suboptimal service delivery. According to financial data for the fiscal year 2022/23, more than half of the health budget (50.9%) was spent on public procurement. Of this amount, 53.9% (Tsh 48.3 billion) was allocated specifically for purchasing medical and laboratory items. However, only a third of this amount was disbursed, indicating low budget credibility. Consistent stockouts of essential medicines, estimated at approximately 66%, coupled with instances of receiving substandard equipment have impacted health service delivery. Moreover, at least 10% of procurement undergoes emergency procedures, potentially inflating costs and compromising the quality of goods acquired. 

The severity and frequency of health commodities stock outs and their impact on services delivery and the existing procurement challenges called for a thorough review of the procurement processes with a view to improve the availability of health commodities and ultimately improve health services delivery. Therefore, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health (MOH) co-developed and implemented an assessment of procurement inefficiencies in health in Zanzibar to strengthen public procurement in the health sector. 

Twenty-eight inefficiencies were identified and classified along two main dimensions: their level of impact (i.e., to what degree this inefficiency contributes to the current procurement situation) and the level of autonomy of the Ministry of Health in addressing the inefficiencies. Recommendations within six categories to address these inefficiencies and achieve value for-money in health procurement were validated and approved by senior government officials from the MOH and other relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies. They include strengthening capacity for health procurement, improving the legislative framework and job guidelines, clarifying roles and responsibilities for improved coordination, strengthening public financial management, improving planning and reducing timelines and managing contracts and contracting better. 

The ongoing transition of the Central Medical Stores (CMS) to a semi-autonomous agency and the establishment of the Health Services Fund calls for the urgent implementation of the identified recommendations. Critical gaps across the procurement cycle need to be addressed to ensure essential health commodities are timely available.Recruitment of Procurement consultant who will be embedded to the Central Medical Stores Agency addresses tan urgent need S to drive the implementation of the recommendations and build capacity to address the identified gaps. The Procurement consultant will report to the Health Specialist based in UNICEF Zanzibar Field Office. Moreover, they will be expected to share quarterly progress reports with Special Task Force for Health Procurement and work closely with the Ministry of Health, the Central Medical Stores Agency, the President’s Office of Finance and Planning, the Zanzibar Public Procurement and Disposal Authority, the Zanzibar Food and Drugs Authority, the Zanzibar Health Services Fund, and other relevant government agencies and stakeholders. 

How can you make a difference? 

In light of the recent developments in the health commodities procurement landscape in Zanzibar, there is a need to provide dedicate technical assistance to the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to contribute to the successful implementation of these reforms. 

The primary purpose of this consultancy is to lead and oversee the implementation of the existing health procurement action plan, ensuring that identified inefficiencies are addressed, procurement efficiencies are gained and monitored on an ongoing basis and savings are reinvested into the health sector. This information will be used by the Ministry of Health, the Central Medical Stores, the President’s Office of Finance and Planning, the Zanzibar Public Procurement and Disposal Authority, the Zanzibar Food and Drugs Authority, and the Zanzibar Health Services Fund to strengthen the procurement ecosystem. The consultancy will deliver the following: 

• Project planning and execution: Develop and manage the detailed project plan to ensure the timely implementation of the action plan.
• Coordination: Coordinate activities among various stakeholders, including government departments, procurement entities, and development partners.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Establish mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the action plan.
• Reporting: Provide regular progress reports to the Special Task Force for Health Procurement or any other relevant committee assigned by the government to implement the recommendations for improved procurement efficiencies.
• Secretariat support: Provide secretariat support to the Special Task Force for Health Procurement and the Ministerial Steering Committee for Health Procurement, or any other committee the government designates for the oversight of the procurement efficiencies work.

Through this assignment, we aim to address the following key questions: 

• Are the ongoing procurement reforms successfully contributing to making the procurement of health commodities more effective and efficient in Zanzibar?
• What challenges are affecting the efficient and effective procurement of the health commodities procurement in Zanzibar?

Scope of Work and Expected Outputs: 

• Action plan implementation: Execute the steps outlined in the action plan, adhering to timelines, and deliverables. Propose changes and additions of the action plan to the Special Task Force for Health Procurement or the relevant implementing committee.
• Stakeholder engagement: Engage with stakeholders to clarify roles and responsibilities aligning with project goals.
• Regular progress update: Prepare a biweekly progress report and share it with the government and UNICEF, the report should show the activity progress, and in case of delays it should include a catch-up plan
• Process improvement: Implement recommended improvements to procurement processes and systems.
• Performance tracking: Develop and implement performance-tracking tools to measure project outcomes.
• Risk management: Identify potential risks to project implementation and develop mitigation strategies.
• Budget management: Guide the development of budgets, identify funding opportunities and ensuring efficient and effective use of resources.
• Ongoing monitoring: Oversee the institutionalization of a continuous search for procurement efficiencies through existing or new monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Reinvestment strategy: Assist in executing strategies for reinvesting savings into health priorities.

WORK ASSIGNMENT, DELIVERABLES & TIMELINE 

WORK ASSIGNMENT 

DELIVERABLES/OUTPUT 

PAYMENT 

Develop a detailed implementation workplan to address key procurement challenges. 

Implementation plan: A detailed plan outlining the steps and timelines for implementing the action plan. 

8% 

Strengthen capacity for the procurement unit 

Training material and reports: Develop training material for user departments around appropriate procurement practices and conduct relevant trainings. 

Job aides: Develop and disseminate graphic job aides detailing procurement processes and lead times 

8% 

Facilitate the amendment of the Public Procurement Act and Regulations to improve procurement practices 

Revised Act: Develop and submit recommendations to revise the Public Procurement Act and Regulations 

8% 

Develop a sourcing strategy for drugs and medical supplies 

Sourcing strategy for drugs and medical supplies: Develop and disseminate a detailed sourcing strategy outlining procurement methods and channels to achieve best value for money for drugs and medical supplies 

8% 

Develop and review key documents to guide the procurement process for health commodities 

Revised Standard Bidding Documents for Pharmaceutical goods and medical equipment: Standard Bidding Documents are available and disseminated to allow the CMS to better adapt their pharmaceutical procurement and achieve better value for money. 

8% 

Develop and review key documents to guide the procurement process for health commodities 

Standards specifications for hospitals and facilities: Standard specifications to request equipment and ensure that medical equipment which is fit for purpose in a Zanzibari context are available for use in hospitals and facilities and disseminated among relevant stakeholders. 

8% 

Improving planning for procurement of supplies 

Supply plans for drugs and medical supplies: Detailed supply plans are available and contribute to ensuring continuous service delivery and disseminated among relevant departments. 

8% 

Improving planning for procurement of supplies 

Procurement plan: An articulated multi-year procurement plan developed using credible quantification of drugs is available and used for planning procurement and prepare the annual budget and medium-term expenditure framework. 

8% 

Strengthen capacity for health procurement 

Detailed quantification of drugs and medical supplies is available: The government has accurate numbers of how many drugs and medical supplies are needed in the coming year, including a strategy for regular revision and 

corrections, a projection for the medium-term, and bases their planning (procurement and budget) on the quantification. 

9% 

Conduct regular performance evaluations of health procurement 

Workplan to implement the recommendations of the Audit report: A detailed report with detailed recommendations for continued improvement of efficiencies in health procurement is available and disseminated among key stakeholders. 

9% 

Setup contract management teams 

Contract management teams implementation report: A report is available highlighting successes and challenges related to the establishment of contract management team 

9% 

Prepare a detailed closure report outlining Project outcomes, issues addressed and recommendations for future actions 

Final Report: A detailed final report summarizing project outcomes, lessons learned, and a revised action plan with recommendations for future improvements are available and disseminated among key stakeholders. 

9% 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE. 

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. 

ASSESSMENT / SELECTION PROCESS AND METHODS 

Evaluations: The applicant should submit both technical and financial proposals which clearly stipulate how the work will be conducted. The Financial Proposal should include all costs of this assignment including fee, travel costs, accommodation as UNICEF will not pay any DSA. 

Proposals will be both technically and financially evaluated. The technical part will carry a weight of 75%, in which the consultant will put clear his/her technical approach to ensure quality attainment of each deliverable and the consultancy in totality. The financial part will take 25% showing the proposed budget breakdown of consultancy cost for each deliverable (fees, travel, and accommodation) and eventual total consultancy cost. 

LOCATION, DURATION & LOGISTIC

The consultant will be working remotely, and under the supervision of health Specialist. The consultancy is expected to start on January 2025 until December 2025. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

▪ A degree in Public Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Public Administration, Health Economics, or a related field. A master’s degree or relevant professional certification is an advantage. 

▪ Eight (8) years of professional work experience working in health procurement or supply chain management 

▪ Proven experience working with government stakeholders at the national and sub-national level. 

▪ Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) to be able to liaise with a wide variety of people and good attention to detail. 

▪ Excellent writing, facilitation skills, negotiation skills, and oral and written communication 

▪ Fluency in written and spoken English and Swahili is required. 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits. 

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF. 

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially. 

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible for ensuring that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

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