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Background and Purpose:
Supply chain management and in particular immunisation supply chain is complex and processes need both automation and data to manage and ensure system performance. An electronic logistic management information systems (eLMIS) is at the heart of the supply chain digital ecosystem and is a force multiplier and can support the improvement of effective vaccine management and ultimately prevent deaths from vaccine preventable diseases.
Gavi sees investment in eLMIS not just benefiting immunisation but should be integrated across the whole supply chain, with immunisation being the entry point.. Though Health Systems Strengthening Phase 3 funding, Gavi is allocating approximately $4M to Uganda for this activity. To ensure quality, Gavi has set as a requirement that countries in which eLMIS investments are made, should follow the Target Software Standards (TSS) which sets minimum requirements to improve standardisation.
Within Uganda there have been several electronic logistic management information systems (eLMIS) that have been piloted but none of them have been able to capture vaccine and supplies visibility, particularly at the lower levels of the health system. As a result of this, the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI) monitors vaccines and logistics manually using the vaccine immunisation material control book which is an excel based stock monitoring tool and monthly stock reports.
The lack of timely and accurate visibility of vaccines and supplies from health facility level up the chain to national level has led to inaccurate tracking of vaccine stocks, consumption, and forecasting data which has hindered optimisation of the national immunisation programme.
Through the Gavi Full Portfolio Planning process, this gap was identified and it was agreed with UNEPI that UNICEF would support the MoH to undertake a comprehensive assessment of current digital health and supply chain landscape including existing systems (e.g., HMIS, LMIS, EMS etc) to ensure alignment and interoperability of the recommended eLMIS within the national digital architecture. The consultancy will recommend, cost, implement and commission a standardised national, comprehensive eLMIS that captures the requirements of the immunization programme as well as all other medical supplies and commodities, is integrated into the national health management information system (HMIS) architecture in Uganda.
The purpose of eLMIS is primarily to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of logistics and supply chain operations, ensuring that health commodities are available when and where they are needed. A functioning eLMIS will:
- Improve vaccine and medicines data visibility: providing real-time data on stock levels, inventory, accurate forecasting and supply chain operations.ย
- Reduce medicines, vaccine and supplies stockouts and overstocking: through optimised inventory management to minimise stockouts and overstocking.
- Enhance decision-making: through data-driven decision-making for logistics and supply chain operations.
Improve delivery times: Streamline logistics operations to improve procurement cycle, reduce delivery time, and improve access to health commodities.This project will be undertaken using a phased approach that will use a mix of indvidual consultants and institutional contracts divided as follows:
Phase 1: Scoping, Recommendation and Approval: Global desk review, discussion with key stakeholders in Uganda, review of global suppliers of eLMIS. Includes the development of a business requirements document and project management plan. This must also include specifics on how the eLMIS should be integrated with existing HMIS. Set up of a PMT++. Upon approval of the PMT++ the consultant will then further develop hardware and software recommendations, connectivity requirements, international supplier matrix, draft training and communications approaches. Final sign off from the PMT++ and donor (Individual consultant).
Phase 2: Implementation: The national roll out of the selected eLMIS across health facilities by a chosen supplier.Justification
The Ministry of Health lacks an integrated, comprehensive national eLMIS to ensure proper ccountability and visibility of medicines, vaccines and supplies at the national and district level.
UNEPI has recognised that there is a need for technical support from UNICEF lead a comprehensive assessment, costing, planning, and implementation of an eLMIS that captures the requirements of the immunisation programme and is integrated into existing HMIS architecture.
Objective:
To undertake a comprehensive global scoping review of eLMIS systems including local stakeholder and international supplier engagement and attain approval of a costed implementation plan.
Outputs:
โข Global desk review of countries with national eLMISโ to include a review of software and hardware and international suppliers
โข Set up of the Project Management Team ++
โข Assessment of eLMIS requirements for Uganda through comprehensive stakeholder engagement
โข Development of a roadmap and project management plan.
โข Development of hardware and software recommendations, connectivity requirements, international supplier matrix, draft training and communications approaches
Major Tasks:
Inception Phase:
๏ง Develop a detailed inception report including workplan detailing all proposed processes for undertaking and meeting the objective and outputs of the consultancy.
๏ง Project kick off meeting with UNEPI and other stakeholders.
Global Desk Review:
๏ง Undertake a global review of national eLMIS implementations, including 3โ5 case studies from countries with relevant contextual similarities or use of similar digital solutions (e.g., OpenLMIS, mSupply, Logistimo and other TSS compliant solutions). The case studies should capture system design, interoperability, implementation challenges, and sustainability models.
eLMIS Digital Landscape Mapping:
๏ง Support a national assessment to determine requirements for a national eLMIS system.
Hardware and software requirements:
๏ง Develop a hardware and software plan including requirements for connectivity based on the business requirements document ensuring compliance with TSS.
International Supplier matrix:
๏ง Develop a comparative overview of TSS-compliant eLMIS providers based on available information from global implementations. This should include typical deployment models, high-level cost structures (where publicly available), and a Uganda-adapted assessment using the TSS scoring matrix to support future decision-making
Training Plan:
๏ง With the MoH develop a national training plan including training methodologies, estimated days and associated training costs with timeframes.
Communications Plan:
๏ง Develop a communications plan in coordination with the MoH to highlight project progress, sensitize all stakeholders and promote donor and UNICEF support.
Validation Workshop:
๏ง Validation workshop and final submission of all documents with incorporated changes from stakeholdersDeliverables
1. Inception Report
๏ถ 1 workshop with key stakeholders to include kick off meeting Report
2. Global desk review report 3-5 in depth case studies
3. Digital landscape mapping: A report mapping the existing digital health and supply chain systems in Uganda, their functions, interoperability status, and alignment with national digital strategies.
๏ถ In-country 1 day workshop with key stakeholders to provide feedback including summary report and presentation
4. Business Requirements Document
๏ถ Draft Project Management Plan
5. Hardware and software requirements document
6. International supplier matrix developed with summary of deployment models, indicative cost ranges (where available), and benchmarking using the TSS scorecard adapted to the Uganda context.
7. Training plan document
8. Communications plan document
9. 1 workshop conducted
10. All work products reviewed by stakeholders and feedback incorporated
๏ถ Submission of final draft of all work productsTo qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆ
A. Education background:
โข Required Masterโs/Advanced degree in public health, supply chain management or other relevant field
โข Minimum of 10+ years work experience working in supply chain management with a focus on (e)LMIS. Preferred experience working in Uganda or East Africa.B. Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
โข Proven experience in undertaking eLMIS assessment for Ministries of Health or other national government entities
โข Demonstrated experience undertaking global literature reviews
โข Familiarity with eLMIS hardware and software options available on the market
โข Proven experience in working closely with national governmental and non-governmental stakeholders
โข Proven experience supporting the full life-cycle from conceptualization to commissioning of an eLMIS
โข Preferred familiarity with the Ugandan context or context within the East African Region
โข Excellent facilitation skills, negotiation skills and oral and written communication skills.
โข Computer skills include MS Office and qualitative and quantitative analytical skills.
โข Knowledge of the UNICEF/GoU EPI programs is an added advantage.
โข Excellent working knowledge of English. Other local Ugandan languages an asset.For every Child, you demonstrateโฆ
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
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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 โstaff membersโ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFโs 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 for ensuring 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.