Supply Chain Management Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, is dedicated to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established as part of the United Nations system, UNFPA operates globally, focusing on sexual and reproductive health and rights. The organization plays a crucial role in addressing the unique challenges faced by the Asia and Pacific Region, which includes a diverse range of healthcare needs and varying levels of economic development. UNFPA's mission is supported by a workforce committed to ethical standards and human rights, aiming to achieve transformative results in maternal health, family planning, and gender equality. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of building forward better in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring that women and girls have access to essential health services and rights. The organization is known for its capacity-building initiatives and partnerships with various stakeholders to enhance health supply chain management systems across the region.

Job Overview:
The Supply Chain Management Consultant will be responsible for conducting a Quantification Capacity Assessment in Bangladesh, specifically focusing on the Dhaka and Chattogram divisions. This role involves developing a comprehensive methodology to assess the current state of quantification practices and supply chain management for reproductive health, Comprehensive Abortion Care, and New and Lesser Used commodities. The consultant will engage with key national stakeholders, including government counterparts, UN agencies, and implementing partners, to gather data and insights. The ultimate goal is to identify best practices and gaps in knowledge and skills, which will inform the development of a framework and roadmap for improving quantification practices across supported countries. The consultant will utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather comprehensive data, ensuring that the assessment is thorough and actionable. This position is critical in enhancing UNFPA's capacity-building efforts and guiding future strategies for strengthening health supply chain management capabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, including: A. Developing a comprehensive methodology and framework to assess and document the current state of Bangladesh's capacity regarding quantification and supply chain management of reproductive health, Comprehensive Abortion Care, and New and Lesser Used commodities. B. Reviewing existing quantification tools, logistics management information systems (LMIS), procurement plans, and forecasting models used in Bangladesh. C. Conducting an in-country assessment using the developed methodology/framework, which includes convening interviews and assessing data and documents provided by key informants at the country level. D. Organizing a validation workshop to review and validate findings and recommendations before finalizing the report. E. Documenting and understanding current quantification practices in Bangladesh, focusing on the two selected divisions. F. Identifying various gaps in quantification practices at different levels and developing a framework to assess intervention areas that can be improved. G. Establishing a roadmap for enhancing various intervention areas over time. H. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods, including in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders, to gather comprehensive data on current contraceptive quantification practices and identify areas for improvement. I. Providing a comprehensive assessment report detailing findings, gaps, and challenges, along with actionable recommendations for short-, medium-, and long-term improvements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Supply Chain Management, Public Health, Procurement, Logistics, Business Administration, International Management, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, or related fields. Additional qualifications in regulatory sciences, health policy and administration, or health systems management are advantageous. A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in supply chain management is required. Candidates should demonstrate strong professional written and spoken presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex supply chain documents for both technical and non-technical audiences. Strong interpersonal skills and the capability to develop and maintain diversified partnerships are essential. Basic knowledge of integrated reproductive health care principles and UNFPA mandates, policies, and guidelines is an asset.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in relevant fields such as Supply Chain Management, Public Health, Procurement, Logistics, Business Administration, International Management, or International Law is required. Additional qualifications in regulatory sciences, health policy, or health systems management will be considered an asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in supply chain management, with a focus on reproductive health commodities. Experience in conducting assessments, developing methodologies, and engaging with stakeholders in the health sector is highly desirable. The ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners and stakeholders is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Bengali is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 45 working days over a three-month period, from May to July 202

• The consultant will work remotely but will be required to attend in-person meetings at the UNFPA country office and other partner offices in Dhaka. The consultant will be responsible for their own travel arrangements within Dhaka, while UNFPA will cover work-related travel outside the city. The final payment will be made upon satisfactory delivery of all deliverables, with a payment schedule of 50% upon submission of the inception report and 50% upon acceptance of the final report. This consultancy is open to nationals of Bangladesh, and UNFPA encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.