International Individual Consultant: Review of Electronic Logistics Management Information System (e-LMIS), P3/P4

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for reproductive health and rights, working towards delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s global strategic plan (2022-2025) focuses on achieving three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that will transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results. We need principled and ethical staff, who embody human rights norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

The Position:

The National Department of Health (NDoH) in Papua New Guinea, together with major development partners, has launched various initiatives and measures to enhance health care service quality and strengthen systems. Several information systems have been put into operation to simplify procedures, increase data transparency, and improve efficiencies using technology. Among these initiatives is the Electronic Logistics Management Information System (e-LMIS), designed to ensure clear visibility of logistics data and support informed decision-making throughout the supply chain.

The e-LMIS (M-Supply) is the culmination of the collaboration of NDoH and key development partners which supported the initial development and roll out of the solution. The initial project commenced and piloted in 2013 and several lessons have been obtained which will be essential in the scale up process. Currently, the system is limited to five key facilities that are using the online version of the e-LMIS. Given that there are more than 800 facilities, there is still an implementation gap for the country to fully capitalise on the benefits of the e-LMIS. Essentially, the next phase of the e-LMIS implementation is scaling-up to cover a significant number of facilities.

Some of the information obtained during the current implementation indicate that the challenges with the use of the e-LMIS range from system related challenges, internet connectivity limitations, insufficient number of trained personnel and suboptimal use of the system. Furthermore, there is limited knowledge of the existing e-LMIS system within NDoH and this basically translates to overdependence on external support. The NDoH is interested in expanding the deployment of the system to include geographical regions that have limited connectivity and power supply. An offline version of the solution, which synchronises on a regular basis, is a necessity in the context of such expansion. Furthermore, this may entail the customization of the solution to be adaptable for offline mobile gadgets. 

In a bid to improve the implementation and optimise scale up of the eLMIS to aid NDoH’s vision of product visibility and traceability across the supply chain, there is a need to recruit the services of an individual consultant for a comprehensive review process. The purpose is to review the status of eLMIS implementation, system functionality assessment, human resources capacity, and other pertinent aspects critical for the success optimization of the eLMIS in the eight initial rollout sites of the 7^th Country Programme. An elaborate roadmap should be produced at the end of the consultancy. 

You will report to: 

The Consultant will technically report to Technical Specialist FP/MH/RH under the overall oversight of the UNFPA country Representative and the Deputy Representative. NDoH and key stakeholders will be actively involved at every stage.

Job Purpose:

The purpose of the consultancy (international) is to conduct a situation analysis of current eLMIS and develop a roadmap, provide recommendations on the optimal approach to achieve comprehensive product visibility and timely logistics data reporting, enabling informed decision-making. 

You would be responsible for:

The main objective of the consultancy: The main objective of this consultancy is to assess the current implementation of the eLMIS and provide recommendations on the optimal approach to achieve comprehensive product visibility and timely logistics data reporting, enabling informed decision-making.

The specific objectives of the consultancy are:

1. Review the documentation and processes that led to the establishment of the current eLMIS system and the contextual factors that have contributed to its current state of operations.
2. Review the implementation of the eLMIS in terms of utilisation by all stakeholders by conducting a situational analysis:
3. Conduct a thorough participatory SWOT analysis
4. Understand the multiple causes of the shortcomings of the current eLMIS
5. Suggest and agree with stakeholders’ improvements to enhance solutions incorporating eLMIS stakeholders’ expectations and resources available.
6. Formulate and develop Terms of Reference (ToR) for software development and enhancement that are exhaustive in responding to the gaps identified based on the objectives above. 
7. Prepare a road map for eLMIS. 

Activities and duration (Workplan): 

The consultancy will be conducted in phases for a total of sixty working days. 

Inception - 5days

• Present the draft inception report to UNFPA and key stakeholders outlining among other things the approach/methodology and work plan/timetable (a proposed work plan is shown below but is subjected to change as advised by the consultant).
• Integrate input and feedback received after presentation of the draft and submit the inception report.

Phase 1

• The first phase consists of desk review of key documents and exchange with key stakeholders through emails and online platforms for the purpose of documentation review, eLMIS implementation review as well as review of the original ToRs that were used in the development and implementation of the current eLMIS. This phase is anticipated to take 10 working days. 

Phase 2

• This phase includes interactions with pertinent stakeholders, conduct key site visits, evaluation of the eLMIS implementation to respond to the desired needs of the country, and conduct gap analysis that will be addressed by the new ToRs (see Objective 3 above). This phase is anticipated to take 35 working days. 

Phase 3:

The development of the new ToRs, Road Map and finalisation of the report. This phase will take 10 working days.

Deliverable/s: (in hard and soft copies)

1. Inception report 
2. Situation analysis phase

• A report analysing and detailing the status of eLMIS implementation in line with inception project documentation and eLMIS operations

1. Proposed approach for the next implementation phase 

• Review of Stakeholder expectations and the potential capacity of the eLMIS system to respond to the expectations.
• Conduct visits to 21 sites (1 central warehouse; four AMS; one hospital and one lower-level health facility in eight PHAs.
• Provide a presentation to key stakeholders for final feedback and endorsement. The presentation must contain findings from all reviews, situational analysis, strength and weaknesses of the system, way forward and an elaborate roadmap for achieving the objectives of optimal system utilisation.

1. Terms of References to respond to the country’s needs on eLMIS alongside a road map should outline the institutional capacity needed at various levels such as qualifications, training, job descriptions of new staffing positions, logistics capacity to action decisions that the eLMIS will enable, etc, within a feasible time frame 

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Based on deliverables, the consultant will be monitored throughout the period by the UNFPA FP/MH/RH Technical Specialist. A fortnightly update will be provided to the FP/RHCS technical working group which is led by the Manager Population and Family Health, National Department of Health.

Expected travel:

The consultant is expected to travel to programme sites (NCD, Morobe, Eastern Highland Province, Enga Province, Bougainville, Western Province, Central Province, and East New Britain)

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree in Information systems or related field Public Health, or any social science field related to reproductive health, demography, and sociology. 
• At least seven years of relevant experience in reproductive health would be desirable.
• More than 5 years’ experience working in implementing and operating logistics management information systems.
• Familiarity with UN policies and principles and PNG government planning and processes will be an advantage.
• Willingness to travel; and
• Proficiency in current office software applications.
• Excellent oral and written English. 

Core Competencies:

• Integrity, commitment, cultural sensitivity, and valuing diversity.
• Developing people/Coaching and Mentoring.
• Building and managing relationships; and
• Personal leadership and effectiveness.
• Innovation - Ability to make new and useful ideas work.
• Leadership - Ability to persuade others to follow.
• People Management - Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
• Communication - Ability to listen, adapt, persuade, and transform.
• Delivery - Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Language and other competencies:

• Fluency in oral and written English. 
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiating, communication and networking skills with the ability to liaise with representatives from the Government and NGOs at the highest levels.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills. 
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation of virtual webinars and consultations.
• Competency in basic computer skills.
• Producing results in a timely manner.

Compensation and Benefits:

 The Country Office will provide access to key documents required for the work. 

• Office space
• Laptop
• Vehicle/driver in relation to participation in meetings and field visits
• Daily subsistence allowance for authorized travel within the country and this will be adjusted as per PHA. 
• Costs relevant to stakeholder consultation meetings e.g., venue and meals. 
• At least one UNFPA Staff to join the Consultant in the field work (either Programme or Communications Staff) ℅ UNFPA

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.