UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for an individual consultant to provide technical support to the Education Section on supply procurement and logistics
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Job Description
UNICEF Zimbabwe is inviting applications for an individual consultant to provide technical support to the Education Section on supply procurement and logistics (open to Zimbabwean nationals only)
Job no: 544149
Contract type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy
Location: Zimbabwe
Categories: Education, Supply/Logistics
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, quality Education!
UNICEF has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1982. We are a team of passionate professionals committed to the protection and fulfillment of children’s rights.
The current UNICEF-Government of Zimbabwe Country Programme of Cooperation (2016-2020), extended to 2021, aims to support Zimbabwe to sustain and build upon the gains achieved for children during the 2012-2015 Country Programme of Cooperation. The programme focuses on improving the quality of social services, increasing access to services, and helping to build national and sub-national capacities to provide low-cost, high-impact interventions for all children, especially the most vulnerable.
Duties and Responsibilities
Consultancy Terms of Reference
Background
UNICEF is the grant agent for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) as well as the grant manager of the Education Development Fund (EDF). These grants cover interventions implemented nationally, largely in the 72 districts spread across the 10 provinces of the country. Some of the activities are also implemented at the sub district levels, namely cluster and school levels. The Education programme works very closely with Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) Head Office in the coordination of the activities implemented at the various levels. A substantial part of both EDF and GPE grants is earmarked for the procurement of textbooks and related teaching/learning materials for the roll out of the new curriculum, as well as Covid-19 emergency response which has resulted in intermittent closure of schools since March 2020. The emergency response includes a substantial amount of procurement of goods and services for distribution to affected communities.
With additional funds received to do further printing and procurement of learning materials and supplies for learners, there is need for additional support to mange this large volume of procurement and support their distribution in a systematic manner. The objective of this consultancy, therefore, is to: 1) support procurement and distribution of education supplies to districts and schools as part of regular programming as well as the emergency response and recovery programme and 2) monitor and track distribution of the procured materials and record numbers distributed, with beneficiaries having received them.
Assignments
The consultant will support the completion of the following tasks:
Work with the UNICEF Education and Supply sections as well as with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to support procurement of learning materials such as textbooks, Catch Up learning materials for children and teachers, kits, and equipment and resources, distribution planning and implementation and ensuring that all targeted supply needs for EDF, GPE grants as well as emergency response and recovery funds for Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 2021 are met.
Liaise with the Supply and Logistics Section and transporters for smooth transportation of all procured materials including kits and for early detection of issues and challenges.
Keep record in Excel sheet of supplies distributed to which school, where, how many and for how many beneficiaries.
Draft schools’ database with the latest information from MoPSE ensuring all targeted schools are captured. This will be in preparation of the distribution of the textbooks, kits, materials and resources.
Work with Education and Supply sections to provide overall support for supply and logistics related work for EDF, GPE 2 and emergency response and recovery procurement side of the programmes
Assist the Supply Section in the importation and customs clearance of EDF, GPE 2 and emergency recovery related materials if procured from outside using lessons learnt from the past importation of materials, textbooks and equipment.
Prepare distribution plans and work with other Education Section colleagues on the preparation of release orders
Attend to any transportation related issues for EDF, GPE 2 and emergency recovery that may need to be addressed for timely implementation
Stock verification and monitoring of safe storage of the materials in the warehouse and liaise with the relevant sections about the storage.
Ensure timely pick up, transportation and delivery to meet deadlines and minimize storage costs and demurrage charges. Liaise with MoPSE to ensure timely submission of documentation and uplift of goods.
Provide overall support to the Supply Section in its procurement for the Education Section.
Qualifications and Experience
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Supply and Logistics or other related field;
At least 2 years’ experience with large procurements, logistics and distribution (if in education, an advantage);
Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English;
Good computer, research and data analysis skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to support multidisciplinary teams;
Familiar with the Zimbabwe context, the national education system;
Ability to interact and communicate with government and non-government partners.
How to Apply
To apply
If interested and available to undertake the consultancy, please submit your application online and attach the required documents including the technical and an all-inclusive financial proposal (detailing professional fees, DSA, airfare etc. where necessary). The consultancy involves 7 field travel days. UNICEF will provide transport support for field travel in pursuance of the assignment.
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.
