New International Consultancy: STEP 2.0 hub coordinator, People that Deliver (PtD), Supply Chain Strengthening Centre (SCSC), UNICEF Supply Division. 240 days within 12 months, remote.

The People that Deliver (PtD) is the global technical leader in human resources for supply chain management and envisions a world where health supply chain workforces are empowered and equipped to optimize health outcomes by improving access to health commodities. PtD’s one goal is to create a competent, supported, and adequately staffed supply chain workforce that is deployed across the public and private sectors within the health system. PtD is governed by a coalition representing governments, international donors, multilateral agencies, nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, professional associations, and private companies. PtD’s secretariat is hosted by UNICEF’s Supply Division and is embedded within the Supply Chain Strengthening Centre (SCSC). Please visit https://peoplethatdeliver.org/ for a complete overview of its mission and vision, as well as access to materials and resources. PtD requires additional staffing to support the scale-up of STEP 2.0 among multiple partners and countries, and therefore is recruiting a one-year consultant (with the possibility of a one-year extension) to support PtD in the coordination activities of the Hub.

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

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
The People that Deliver (PtD) is the global technical leader in human resources for supply chain management and envisions a world where health supply chain workforces are empowered and equipped to optimize health outcomes by improving access to health commodities. PtD’s one goal is to create a competent, supported, and adequately staffed supply chain workforce that is deployed across the public and private sectors within the health system. PtD is governed by a coalition representing governments, international donors, multilateral agencies, nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, professional associations, and private companies. PtD’s secretariat is hosted by UNICEF’s Supply Division and is embedded within the Supply Chain Strengthening Centre (SCSC). Please visit https://peoplethatdeliver.org/ for a complete overview of its mission and vision, as well as access to materials and resources.

Leadership skills are critical to supply chain management, yet often the leaders and managers of public health supply chains in low- and middle-income countries are not supported to develop these and other soft skills. The coordinated Strategic Training Executive Programme (known as STEP 2.0) is a targeted solution that aims to help health and supply chain managers hone their skills in managing teams and leading change at country level. The STEP 2.0 approach is designed to build the capacity of next generation of leaders who can lead change ensuring access to medicines, vaccines, and health technologies. The approach is built on an experiential scenario-based methodology wielding transformative leadership principles.

Managed by People that Deliver (PtD), STEP 2.0 is jointly offered by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), IFPW Foundation, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). By uniting to offer STEP 2.0, Gavi, the Global Fund and USAID will increase supply chain efficiency and improve health outcomes for many in lower- and middle-income countries struggling to access medicines or other health commodities. PtD acts as the central coordinating hub of the STEP 2.0 program which includes donor coordination, program oversight, quality control, monitoring and evaluation, content and knowledge management and the institutionalization of STEP 2.0. PtD works closely with the donor agencies, implementing partners, private sector, and other key stakeholders to oversee and coordinate the rollout of STEP 2.0.

PtD requires additional staffing to support the scale-up of STEP 2.0 among multiple partners and countries, and therefore is recruiting a one-year consultant (with the possibility of a one-year extension) to support PtD in the coordination activities of the Hub. Under the supervision of the PtD Executive Manager, and in collaboration with Gavi, the Global Fund, IFPW Foundation, and USAID, the consultant will plan, monitor, and maintain up-to-date information about all STEP cohorts, including engagement with STEP participants, coaches, donors, and accredited implementing partners (AIPs). The STEP hub coordinator will be the main point of contact for requests or inquiries related to the STEP 2.0 program and will work closely with PtD secretariat staff to maintain communication channels between STEP stakeholders, maintain records on all STEP cohorts and collect feedback as part of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the STEP program.

Scope of Work:
Under the supervision of the PtD Executive Manager, the consultant is accountable for the following.

1. Organizing and leading the coordinated donors group: The donors group meets monthly with the purpose of updating group members on any upcoming implementations of STEP, and to make decisions regarding the coordinated approach of STEP 2.0. The coordinator will liaise with the members of the group regarding scheduling, agenda, any action items, and sharing documents for feedback or input. S/he will maintain the donors workplan with key joint activities and timelines and may also be tasked to coordinate any additional technical working group with donors and AIPs.

2. Tracking and monitoring the implementation of STEP: STEP programs are implemented by various donors and partners. The STEP hub provides oversight and guidance throughout the six-month period of STEP implementation. The coordinator will manage the AIP pool of providers, from selection and evaluation of AIPs, to ensuring they have access to the STEP vault materials, regular M&E data is being collected, measured, and analyzed, and that any issues are flagged to the appropriate organization.

3. Maintaining STEP 2.0 program materials and databases: The coordinator will maintain databases with all information from past, current, and upcoming STEP implementations. This includes the roster of participants and coaches. The databases will be used not only as a record but for the recruitment of coaches for future STEP program implementation. S/he will also maintain an archive of all program-related material, including communications and marketing materials, working with the PtD Communications and Advocacy Specialist to make sure all materials are available in the STEP Vault (library) on the PtD website and develop more communications and advocacy materials if needed. The coordinator is also responsible for establishing the STEP 2.0 alumni group.

4. Ensuring that subcontracted implementation entities adhere to standards for program implementation: The coordinator will be responsible for maintaining quality standards, to ensure that the curriculum is implemented per the guidelines set out in the Facilitator’s manual. The consultant will update and maintain the STEP Vault and provide access to AIPs, field any questions related to the materials, maintain the SOP that both the Hub and AIPs follow and develop the Implementing partner engagement strategy.

5. Managing a common monitoring and evaluation system and a mechanism for documenting participant progress: The coordinator will manage the M&E system that will be used by all AIPs to measure and track progress and impact of country/region program implementation. The coordinator will focus on ensuring that all AIPs understand and know how and when to conduct the monitoring and evaluation exercises and will be responsible for reviewing and refining the M&E system and creation of impact briefs for all donors.

6. Supporting the institutionalization and accreditation into national and regional training institutions and universities: The coordinator will manage the institutionalization (localization and regionalization) and accreditation process of STEP 2.0, following the recommendations laid out in the landscaping report and develop and manage the institutionalization and sustainability strategy for long-term sustainability of the program.

How can you make a difference? 

Deliverables and Timeline for output.

• STEP coordination - Workplan for the year; by 30 May 2024.
• Coordinated donors’ group - Minutes coordinated donors group meeting; by 28 June 2024
• M&E- Review and refine M&E system; by 30 July 2024.
• M&E - M&E report for donors; by 30 August 2024.
• Supporting the institutionalization and accreditation - Sustainability strategy for the STEP 2.0 hub and hub’s role and vision for the next 3-5 years; by 30 September 2024.
• M&E - Impact brief Gavi-supported countries; by 31 October 2024.
• M&E - M&E report for donors; by 29 November 2024.
• Coordinated donors’ group- Minutes coordinated donors group meeting; by 20 December 2024.
• Standards for program implementation - Implementing partner engagement strategy; by 31 January 2025.
• M&E - M&E report for donors; by 28 February 2025.
• STEP 2.0 program materials - STEP 2.0 alumni group established and report identifying patterns and trends in outcomes experienced by the alumni group: by 31 March 2025.
• M&E - Impact brief Gavi-supported countries; by 30 April 2025
• M&E - Impact brief all donors; by 30 May 2025

International Travel for STEP 2.0 workshop. Dates to be discussed during Consultancy. 

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

• An advanced university degree in international development, education, learning and development, business administration, public/global health, supply chain management.
  *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. 

• At least five years of work experience in international development, project management, and capacity development in a global, regional, or country setting. Country-level experience is preferred, but not required. Experience with learning and development also preferred, specifically with leadership development.

   

• Fluency in English is required. French proficiency is also preferred.

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.