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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, Care... 

UNICEF is procuring vaccines on behalf of more than 100 countries, with vaccines supplied for 45% of worlds’ children, living primarily in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to procurement of vaccines for countries’ routine and supplementary immunization activities, UNICEF also supplies vaccines to respond to outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases and manages a number of vaccine stockpiles, prepositioned for outbreak response on behalf of a range of partnerships including the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), The International Coordination Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision and the Measles and Rubella Partnership (M&RP). The vaccine stockpiles are held with manufacturers and, with one exception, title (ownership) and possession remains with the manufacturers, even if UNICEF has exclusive rights to these stockpiles.

UNICEF believes that its rich experience in managing vaccine stockpiles can be leveraged on to take vaccine stockpiling a step further and consider taking on title/ownership [and potentially possession] of specific stockpiles if it will enable reaching children and communities and break the chain of disease transmission faster and more efficiently.
In 2023, UNICEF has launched a Vaccine Stockpile Ownership Project. Through this project, UNICEF will seek to develop an in-depth cross functional understanding through analysis and consolidation of input from internal and external subject matter experts on the areas within scope of this project and arrive to a set of conclusions and recommendations that will inform strategic direction and decisions on how UNICEF approaches title to vaccine stockpiles more proactively, with the ultimate goal to improve program impact.

OBJECTIVE:
The broad objective of the Vaccine Stockpile Ownership Project is to have a fully scoped out analysis on key areas related to management and ownership of vaccine stockpiles to help guide UNICEF on the strategic consideration and decision making.

The specific objectives are to:
• Help UNICEF understand feasibility, costs, risks, benefits and opportunities of taking on ownership of vaccine stockpiles through in-depth analysis of key areas, defined under the scope of this project,
• Help UNICEF understand possible modalities and opportunities/risks offered by different approaches to stockpiling.
• Provide insights into operationalization, implementation and next steps if UNICEF takes on title of vaccines.
• Establish framework for assessment of risk/benefit in taking on title of specific vaccines in the future.
• Provide set of recommendations to UNICEF for strategic decision making around stockpile ownership.

The Project Coordinator will play a leading role in managing the Project. The Project Coordinator will develop the analysis under the guidance from Vaccine Centre, with technical input from UNICEF internal stakeholders and subject matter experts and drawing on existing experience gained by manufacturers, UNICEF and its partners.As an outcome of the analysis, the deliverable will be a fully scoped out report to UNICEF, providing in depth technical insight and recommendations in regard to vaccine stockpiles ownership.

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work:

Area - Costs
Description and Scope
• Transaction management, warehousing costs.
• Import/export documentation, fees, clearance costs.
• Insurance costs.
• Cost of packing and deployment of vaccine on emergency basis – conforming to WHO approved specifications.
• Taxation, including any VAT.
• Implications of service agreements on costs including VAT.
• Cost of destruction of vaccine upon expiry.

Deliverable
• Analysis of cost implications based on various stockpiling modalities (i.e. third-party warehousing managed by UNICEF, UNICEF’s warehouse, with manufacturers).

Area - Financial implications
Description and Scope
• Financial management of inventory in UNICEF’s warehouse (including physical or virtual stock/third party service provider).
Management of write offs for damaged or expired product.
Deliverable
• Write up on process of managing UNICEF’s inventories and how integration of vaccine inventories could be managed.

Area - Oversight of storage facility (regulatory & qualitative)
Description and Scope
• Oversight by country NRA for import/export to and from stockpile location.
• Trade compliance.
• Vaccine specific requirements regarding storage & destruction.
• Qualitative storage requirements (GMP, GDP)
• Understanding of oversight, trade compliance, import/export if stockpile contains unlicensed vaccines – with specific examples (Ebola Sudan, Marburg).
Deliverable
• Analysis and in depth description of modalities/process to ensure appropriate trade compliance and regulatory oversight.
• Recommendations on best modalities when managing storage of vaccine in UNICEF-owned stockpile locations.
• Understanding of additional complexities in relation to trade compliance for stockpiled vaccines if these vaccines are not yet licensed for use (i.e. investigational or clinical material).

Area - Legal implications – manufacturer’s product liability
Description and Scope
• Product liability elements and thorough understanding of implications that taking on vaccine title would have on manufacturers’ liability, when compared to existing model with vaccine remaining in their title.
Deliverable
• Analysis and description of implications on any changes to manufacturers’ product liability when title is transferred to UNICEF including costs and options to insure.
• Recommendations on best course of action that would provide greatest protection to UNICEF and its beneficiaries.

Area - Cold chain requirements and volumes/size of stockpile
Description and Scope
• In depth analysis on interdependencies of the stockpile size/volume on implementation and operationalization of recommendations.
Deliverable
• Analysis of current and potential future stockpiles, size, volume requirements and cold chain requirements and implications on decision making/modalities.

Area - Transfer of title – different modalities/models
Description and Scope
Modalities to be explored, all for vaccine stockpiles owned/in title by UNICEF:
• Stored, managed and potentially insured by vaccine manufacturers through a service agreement.
• Stored, managed and potentially insured by third party on behalf of UNICEF
Stored, managed and insured by UNICEF in its warehouse(s).
Deliverable
• Analysis of various models and recommendation on optimal model based on individual vaccine stockpile.

Area - Geographical location of vaccine stockpiles
Description and Scope
• Understanding optimal geographical locations of potential stockpiles that would enable improved response time from logistical perspective.
Risk mitigation by multiple sites to avoid close down.
Deliverable
• Analysis of key airline hubs and recommendation on optimal geographical locations of potential future vaccine stockpiles.

Area - Products
Description and Scope
• A priority will be a review of vaccine stockpiles currently managed by UNICEF and assessment, product by product, of opportunities and risks and potential modalities connected to taking on title of these individual stockpiles.
Review of selected unlicensed vaccine stockpiles (not yet stockpiled by UNICEF) –and opportunities and risks connected to taking on title of the clinical grade material.
Deliverable
• Analysis of currently UNICEF managed vaccine stockpiles and opportunities and risks connected to taking on title of these stockpiles based on learnings from above areas.

Area - Feasibility
Description and Scope
• Analysis of feasibility of taking on individual vaccine stockpiles based on specific vaccine market and stockpile type
Deliverable
• Analysis and recommendation on feasibility of taking on title of individual vaccine stockpiles.

Area - Framework for assessment and future decision making.
Description and Scope
Establish framework for assessment of the risks and benefits when considering new vaccine stockpiles in the future.
Deliverable
• Framework with criteria for future decision making on taking on title of new vaccine stockpiles (Mpox, Chikungunya, etc.)

Timeline and Payment Overview
Activity - Map activities and required initial meetings with stakeholders, conduct initial meetings with stakeholders, Conduct desk review of procedures and relevant material.
Deliverable - Project Coordinator onboarded. Mapping of activities completed, meetings scheduled and held, analysis initiated.
Timeline: May-24, 16% of project.

Activity - In depth meetings with stakeholders/ SMEs. Engagement with external partners including consultancy houses as needed.
Analysis development.
Deliverable - In depth analysis taking shape /ongoing. Draft report starting to take shape.
Timeline: August-24, 45% of project.

Activity: Analysis completed. Draft report with analysis developed and shared with stakeholders, SMEs as relevant. Recalibration/refinement of analysis as needed, based on incorporation of input to draft report from SMEs.
Deliverable - Draft Report shared with SMEs and Project Sponsor. Feedback into report incorporated.
Timeline: Sept-24, 22% of project.

Activity: Recalibration, implementation of feedback to the draft analysis. Finalization of the analysis, report & recommendations.
Deliverable: Final report available.
Timeline: Oct-24, 16% of project.

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

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field: information and knowledge management, communications, public policy, public management, public health, business administration, international relations, or international development; a combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Qualifications in Project Management would be an asset.
  *Applicable work experience can substitute in cases where university degree is not aligned to a relevant field.
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
• Minimum five years relevant work experience with managing complex projects in large multistakeholder organizations.
• Proven experience in managing highly complex projects and developing analysis within complicated multistakeholder networks.
• Proven experience in leading and managing complex technical analysis, consolidating input from multiple stakeholders and subject matter experts.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to timely engage stakeholders and subject matter experts, respecting their multiple competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high quality analysis in a timely manner.
• Experience in the area of vaccine supply chain management, vaccine warehousing, trade compliance, good distribution practices would be a strong asset.
• Demonstrated familiarity with vaccine work of UNICEF.
  
  
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English are essential. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following competencies that are considered to be necessary to this consultancy:

Core Competencies

• Excellent communicator of verbal and written concepts, able to translate highly technical input into synthesis for strategic action.
• Ability to reconcile a large amount of information from multiple sources.
• Ability to quickly understand instructions, to proactively seek clarification when needed.
• Able to work well with stakeholders with broad functional competencies and subject matter experts.

Functional Competencies

• Able to work independently and problem solving oriented.
• Able to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated communication and relationship building skills.
• Proven capacity to work with and lead analysis working with subject matter experts across different locations and with different technical skills.

EVALUATION PROCESS:

1. Qualified candidates are requested to submit:
2. Cover letter
3. Financial quote in US Dollars including all taxes
4. Highest Education Degree (scanned copy)
5. UN P11
6. Detailed technical proposal
7. Examples of previous, relevant work
8. At least 3 References from previous direct Supervisors (email and phone contact if applicable)

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 75 points)
Overall Response (25 points)
Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response
Overall match between the TOR requirements and proposal
Technical Capacity (50 points)
Relevance of consultant’s experience with similar projects and as per required qualifications
References

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 25 points)
Total estimated cost of contract (proposed contract fee only)
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL - Weight Combined Score
TOTAL SCORE (max. 100 points)

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

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 to ensure 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.