Terms of Reference

for

Project Management Consultancy

Development of a guideline for local procurement of school furniture

UNICEF Supply Division has launched an Innovation project for development of a guideline for local procurement of school furniture.

The purpose of the project is two-fold:

1. To develop new, innovative furniture design models that are strong, durable and child-friendly. The designs will be simple to build, low in cost, and be able to be constructed by local industries, manufacturers or artisans. Field testing will be needed to evaluate the prototypes developed.

2. To develop a UNICEF specific local procurement guideline document presenting a management approach that covers all aspects of furniture planning, design, production, delivery and maintenance. Reviewing CO experiences in local procurement will be needed to produce this guide for school furniture procurement with lessons learned.

UNICEF requiresan international consultant as Project Manager to implement the project.

Objectives:

The international consultant willmanage the development of generic designs and the development of the guideline document.

Duties and responsibilities:

In order to achieve the objectives the contractor will:

Objective 1

  • Assist UNICEF with selection of a design consultancy firm through competitive tendering.
  • Manage the school furniture design process (manage design firm in coordination with project steering committee) to develop Child Friendly School (CFS) furniture options.
  • Design and implement pilot testing of the selected designs in a UNICEF Country Office.
  • Draft project report and presentation that summarizes pilot and presents design brief for potential school furniture production.

Objective 2

  • Conduct review and analysis of current UNICEF school furniture procurement supply chain practices (baseline research already conducted)
  • Draft concise school furniture procurement guideline reference document for UNICEF country offices (this will be part of the current Supply Manual)

Organizational Setting: The consultant will work under direct supervision of the Project Coordinator with in the WSEC (Water, sanitation and Education Center) in SD. The contractor shall work and coordinate with the Project Coordinator, Construction Managerand the SD Innovation team during the assignment. The consultant will work mostly outside the UNICEF SDoffice;from home or at the pilot location. During the assignment, the consultant may be required to travel to UNICEF SD offices in Copenhagen, Denmark to participate in joint evaluations and/or workshops. UNICEF will provide for transportation and per-diem costs during all travel. The consultant will also be required to participate in working meetings online.

Key deliverables / estimated schedule:

No. / DELIVERABLES / APPROXIMATE DEADLINE
1. / Design consultancy firm / July 2013
i. / Assist in evaluation and selection of a design consultancy firm
ii. / Organise design workshop to present initial design firm concept
iii. / Final approval of design submitted to steering committee (PD, SD, Country office, Regional Office)
iv. / Final draft of presentation and information package required for initiation of pilot test at country office level
v. / Manage prototype development
2 / Pilot testing / September 2013
i / Finalise testing protocol in partnership with SD and Country Office
ii. / Assist country office with the selection of local manufacturer
iii. / Conduct quality assurance of production and installation
iv. / Develop and finalise end user surveys in collaboration with SD, Country office and counterparts
v. / Conduct end user survey and analyse responses
3 / Furniture design package (designs, procedures, material description) / October 2013
i. / Draft of school furniture design recommendation pack (details of expected design, Bill of Quantity, result of pilot etc).
ii. / Submission of draft design pack for approval by steering committee
4 / Furniture procurement guideline / November 2013
i. / Analyse local procurement procedures
ii. / Draft of Guidelines for local school furniture procurement document ready for dissemination (reference document that will contain results of previous deliverables)

Duration of contract: The work will be home based and part time however international travel will be involved. Total over the course of the contract is expected to be 80 days.

Financial arrangements: Payment will be linked to deliverables, 25% at each deliverable. Remuneration will be at P3 level.

Qualifications:

  • The consultant would be expert in his/her respective field of expertise and competence, equipped with theoretical knowledge and also with practical experience. Preference is given to inviting former staff or collaborators of UNICEF or other agencies with hands-on UNICEF experience and education project exposure.
  • At least 5 years of project management experience
  • At least 5 years of experience with development issues, including operations in developing countries, particularly sub-Saharan African countries and in the Education sector
  • Experience withprocurement, administration or provision of services to UNICEF will be taken as an advantage;
  • Excellent communications skills,; Language skills an asset
  • Good writing skills, particularly for reporting and developing analytical and informative materials;
  • Knowledge of UNICEF and familiarity with UNICEF’s work ;
  • Experience in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UNICEF is an asset).