Page 7 of 7
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Consultancy Title: Technical Support for Nutrition products, UNICEF Supply Division Copenhagen
LOCATION/DURATION:
Duration: An estimated 100 days of work from December 2015 to June 2016
Location: A combination of onsite work and remote work. At least two periods of 3-4 weeks and three-four shorter periods of onsite work at the Supply Division Offices, Copenhagen.
Start Date: December 7th, 2015
Reporting to: Jan Debyser, Contracts Manager Nutrition Unit, UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen
BACKGROUND:
UNICEF is a major buyer of therapeutic foods and related products which are used for management of children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in inpatient and outpatient contexts. The three main nutritional products used for the management of SAM are purchased from suppliers globally and will be put out to public tender within the period of December 2015 to March 2016, and the consultancy is required to assess the compliance of products offered in response to the UNICEF Request for Proposals with the UNICEF specifications and technical requirements and ensure they are evaluated for their suitability for UNICEF programs that address SAM.
KEY OUTCOMES:
1. Identification of RUTF, F75 and F100 products that can be recommended for use by UNICEF Country Offices
2. Recommendation for review and update of F75 and F100 product specifications in time for the release of the UNICEF public bid
3. Supervision and oversight of a survey of therapeutic milk use and preparation practices and communication of product changes to country offices and other post bid activities.
4. Provision of technical expertise on nutrition products in response to emerging needs identified by the Nutrition Unit
OBJECTIVE:
Following are the objectives of the consultancy:
Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)
1. The first purpose is to assess RUTF product dossiers offered in response to the UNICEF Request for Proposal against UNICEF specification and technical requirements. Identify which characteristics need improvement to make sure they are suitable for implementation of a community based treatment of SAM.
Therapeutic Milks (F-75 and F100)
2. The second purpose is to assist in reviewing and editing the technical specifications for therapeutic milks, currently under review. Special attention will be given to ensuring that there is compliance to relevant WHO compositional guidelines, and that any safety concerns are addressed thru consultation with WHO and other experts. The revised specification will include a new packaging format and size, together with a measuring scoop and instructions for the user.
3. The consultant is also expected to assess how Therapeutic milk products offered in response to the UNICEF tender comply with UNICEF specification and technical requirements and their suitability for implementation of inpatient treatment of SAM.
Technical advice on other nutrition-related products
4. The consultant will be expected to provide ad-hoc technical advice to the Nutrition Unit as and when the need occurs.
DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:
1. UNICEF plans to issue a bid for RUTF in 2015. A technical evaluation according to the Medicines and Nutrition Centre procedure for specialized nutritional products is required, with identification of gaps in meeting requirements. This task involves reviewing supplier’s product dossiers submissions including, a) Technical specifications; b) Recipes and formulation; c) Labelling and packaging for compliance with UNICEF Specifications and co-ordination of follow – up with suppliers and a product sample evaluation (including packaging).
2. The current UNICEF specification for therapeutic milk products is in the process of being updated and so that the nutrient levels are more aligned with the WHO guidelines. In addition, UNICEF Supply Division now requires Infant formula standards from manufacturers to produce these milks and thus has some new potential suppliers that need assistance in their recipe development for the upcoming UNICEF therapeutic milk tender. The consultant is expected to co-ordinate the development of the revised specification working with partners from MSF and WHO. The consultant is also required to provide ad-hoc assistance to suppliers in relation to adapting to the revised specification.
3. A survey is being conducted on the uses and preparation practices of Therapeutic milks in recipient countries by an intern in the Nutrition unit as part of a master’s thesis. The consultant will help facilitate the collection and reporting of this information and assist with technical queries on the project. The consultant will also utilize the information to ensure product information on label and leaflets for therapeutic milks is appropriate.
4. UNICEF plans to issue a bid Therapeutic milk in March 2015. This bid might request offers for a new size packaging and offers with the revised formulation. A technical evaluation according to the Medicines and Nutrition Centre procedure for specialized nutritional products would be required, and this task involves reviewing product dossiers for compliance to the UNICEF specification, co-ordination of follow–up with suppliers and a product sample evaluation (including packaging). The consultant will also review and check the Technical Bulletin written to communicate the product changes to recipient UNICEF countries offices.
5. The consultant will also be expected to provide general technical support to the nutrition team and other cross functional teams where needed.
KEY DELIVERABLES:
1) A technical evaluation of each submission of RUTF product and a final list of recommended suitable products and improvement needed.
2) A completed revised specification for therapeutic milks F75 and F100 to use in the UNICEF therapeutic milks public tender.
3) A technical evaluation of each submission of therapeutic milk products and a final list of recommended suitable products from bidders for F75 and F100 and improvement needed.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
Advanced university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas is preferred: Food Technology, Nutrition, or Pharmacy. A combination of suitable qualifications at an undergraduate level together with appropriate experience will also be accepted.
Work Experience:
7-10 years of progressively responsible professional work experience.
Competencies:
1) Core Values
• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity
2) Core Competencies
• Communication
• Drive for Result
• Working with People
3) Key Functional Competencies
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Analyzing
• Relating and Networking
• Deciding and Initiating Actions
• Planning and Organizing
Technical Knowledge:
· Knowledge of product specifications development, food safety issues and risks management.
· Ability to critically assess scientific documentation such as test reports and manufacturing processes
· Ability to co-ordinate and lead projects with the end results for UNICEF the key goal
· Ability to network and establish good relations with staff, partners, suppliers and others.
· Fast learner, adapts and responds to change, tolerates ambiguity.
· Knowledge and understanding of Community based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) programs.
Language:
Fluency in English is required.
Fluency in another UN language is an asset.
EVALUATION PROCESS:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit:
1. Cover letter/application.
2. Financial quote at a daily rate in US Dollars excluding all taxes.
3. CV.
4. Examples of previous, relevant work.
5. Proposed methodology/approach to managing the project.
6. At least 2 References
7. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html ).
Applications are to be sent to: Charlotte Armand Nielsen () with subject line Technical Support for Nutrition products by 29 November 5:00pm CET. Please indicate your availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.
Successful applicants will be invited to a telephone interview and will be evaluated by the following criteria:
Applicant xTECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 80 points)
Overall Response (10 points)
Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response
Overall match between the TOR requirements and proposal
Proposed Methodology and Approach (20 points)
Quality of proposed approach/methodology
Quality of proposed work plan
Technical Capacity (50 points)
Relevance of consultant’s experience with similar projects and as per required qualifications
Quality of previous work
References
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION - Total Points
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 20 points)
daily rate, lump sum, per deliverable
Economy Air Ticket
Total estimated cost of contract (proposed contract fee only)
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL - Weight Combined Score
TOTAL SCORE (max. 100 points)
General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors
1. Legal Status
The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.
2. Obligations
The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.
The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.
In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.
3. Title rights
UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.
4. Travel
If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis:
(a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.
5. Statement of good health
Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.
6. Insurance
The Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.
7. Service incurred death, injury or illness
If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).