New Consultancy: Digital Supply Data Knowledge Consultant, UNICEF Supply Division Copenhagen, 12 months – Part time, Remote.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Care…

UNICEF is the leading agency for procurement and delivery of vaccines and comprehensive primary healthcare for children and their communities. UNICEF operates global end-to-end supply chains, from demand forecasting to procurement – through which UNICEF can secure access, affordable prices and value for money – all the way to the last mile to reach local communities, including in situations of conflict and disaster.

In 2020 UNICEF Supply Division initiated its intentional work to digitalize its supply chain and the Supply Division’s Digital Supply Chain initiative progressively formed with a three-fold objective: streamlined processing and synchronization of information; an agile, adaptable organization; and predictive modelling and evidence-based decisions.

UNICEF principally believes that by making its delivery information publicly available, we will be enabling analytical studies, research, and strategies by multiple other organizations in the global society, and, at a country level, local actors will also benefit from having access to this information in real-time and in a harmonized manner across products. This visibility will enable local actors to anticipate, plan and understand what is happening in a much faster and immediate manner than today.

Similarly, to many organizations and private sector companies today trying to work on a digital transformation, Supply Division is finding that low or swinging data quality is unnecessarily increasing the complexity of our data ecosystem and it is a hinderance to a faster pace of progress towards enabling data analytics to help drive decision making. Moreover, we have observed that the use and uptake of the digital tools for supply chain monitoring by staff is slower than expected, which does not help improve the data quality issues and which itself may be partially rooted in the data not being good enough, creating a negative reinforcing cycle.

We think correcting the supply data quality issues and investing in change management are both necessary to attract internal users and sustain the pace in external publication of vaccine delivery information to both the public and partners. However, investing in these areas requires extensive focused work and people-time.

The purpose of the consultancy is to mobilize and engage UNICEF staff in the digital transformation, contributing to data quality, and to equip the staff to leverage the digital resources available, including for planning purposes. Steps towards this outcome are anticipated to initiate with an internal assessment and discovery of issues and will target the issues related to he staff and their understanding, perception, capacity to utilize the digital tools made available to them thus far. This step may be performed with a root-cause analysis methodology.

Having identified the issues and challenges encountered by staff in relation to the digital products and to their understanding of the impact on work processes, behaviors and competencies of the digital transformation underway, an array of solutions is expected be considered and implemented by the consultant. Given the diversity of staff, including culture, age, career status, etc., it will be important to implement a broad variety of solutions so each staff can find what suits them most. These could include:

• Revised guidelines, easy access to support, targeted learning paths, knowledge management, etc.
• Recommendations for design and usability enhancements to tools, simplifications to processes, and perhaps even automation of data entry processes.
• Building data awareness and data skills, including via organizing workshops, creating visualizations of “data paths” (e.g. the journey of your data piece from entry to public dashboards), explaining benefits of active use, organizing targeted data training for defined roles, presenting techniques and rationale for data quality importance, creating data learning channels, creating a peer support network, including data and digital awareness from the staff’s onboarding, etc.

Additionally, and while the phase of discovery of issues will shed light onto this, there will likely be a need to move to a trust-based model for data, which will guide staff to assess the degree in which they can use certain data points for decision-making or planning. Lastly, the consultant is expected to support the updates to materials and introductory concepts in the internal BI SD’s Supply Dashboard pages, including improved content and multimedia elements.

Function as a co-project manager: The consultant will co-lead the Supply Data Quality workstream in collaboration with the Supply Chain Specialist, to whom the consultant also reports. The workstream belongs to the Digital Supply Chain Initiative under the Info Hub Project. The consultant will co-lead a mini team of data stewards that will be responsible for ensuring the quality of our supply chain data in our ERP system as per the established standards, with the Digital Supply Data Knowledge consultant responsible for daily team management tasks, including support in preparation of any required presentations. The consultant will play a pivotal role in developing a comprehensive workstream plan, identifying relevant target groups, and acting as a liaison with SD’s learning team and the Country Support team. The consultant will also be responsible for ensuring the communication pieces to management and the Supply Community
are timely and adequately prepared.

The workstream team’s primary objective is to mobilize and engage staff in the digital transformation and contribute to identify and address data quality issues by closely collaborating with relevant stakeholders in the supply community. This process will be informed by lessons learned analysis, historical data review, and interviews. The project plan will encompass the creation of tools, questionnaires, surveys, and structured interviews. Additionally, it will entail planning and executing consultations and workshops with stakeholders to share findings and engage in meaningful discussions.

Function as a technical focal point for learning and for the development of the standard operating procedures in relation to the use of supply data for the Supply Community
The consultant will lead the effort to establish a robust data literacy initiative within the Supply Community. This involves a comprehensive approach that includes the following key activities:

1. The process begins by establishing the desired level of data quality. After identifying existing data quality issues and challenges, the consultant takes the lead in defining our aspiration for data quality, ensuring that the level of effort required aligns with the anticipated benefits.

   Building on insights gained from an internal assessment and issue discovery, the consultant initiates a dialogue with relevant staff. This involves discussing challenges related to their understanding of the ongoing digital transformation, as reflected in the forthcoming antigen dashboards. The consultant sustains this dialogue to dig into staff difficulties, knowledge gaps, practices, and skills that need addressing for the resolution of data quality issues.

   The next steps involve ideating, designing, and creating solutions tailored to the concerns raised by staff. Emphasis is placed on providing practical process guidance and learning materials that institutionalize the established methods. The goal is to ensure the sustainability of these solutions over time, aligning them with the evolving needs of the organization.

2. User Research: Conduct user research with both technical and non-technical audiences to gain insights into their specific data skill needs and priorities.
3. Learning Objectives: Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts to pinpoint clear learning objectives related to data literacy.
4. Priority Skills: Engage with SMEs to identify and validate the priority skills that require training and learning solutions.
5. Material Review: Review existing materials and training resources, identifying gaps and areas for improvement.
6. Guideline and Material Revision: Revise and enhance guidelines and training materials to align with the evolving data literacy requirements.
7. Knowledge Accessibility: Ensure easy access to support, tailored learning pathways, and effective knowledge management.
8. Workshops: Organize workshops surveys, or other gatherings as relevant to explain the benefits of active utilization of data tools and deliver targeted data training for defined roles. Explain techniques and the rationale behind the importance of data quality.
9. Pilot Implementation: Plan and execute pilots (Proof of Concept) to demonstrate quick wins and validate the effectiveness of the data literacy initiatives.
10. Integrated Curriculum: In alignment with the Learning Strategy, provide concrete recommendations for the development of an integrated data literacy learning curriculum for the Supply Community.

The consultant will play a significant role in implementing these activities and ensuring the successful establishment of a data literacy program within the Supply Community. This work is expected to require exchanges and support from relevant technical staff in the Division.

Any initiated solutions will be reviewed against impact achieved and their appropriateness reassessed. This should enable us to keep the focus and keep solutions current and updated, preventing purposeless proliferation. Moreover, this frequent review of their continued relevance will help ensure we have a robust body of staff solutions going forward, after the end of the consultancy.

Update the internal BI SD’s Supply Dashboard pages with improved content and multimedia elements
Enhance the content and multimedia elements of the Supply Dashboard on the internal site. These pages serve as a centralized repository for all supply monitoring tools. It is designed to provide easy access to supply information for all UNICEF personnel.

Concretely, the consultant will propose options to refresh the content and look-and-feel of the pages, including, as relevant updated text and video materials. Once the options and ideas are agreed to, for the purposes of the videos, the consultant will coordinate the work of relevant service providers while leading on the inputs to be included.

How can you make a difference? 

Tasks and outputs expected during the 194 days remote Consultancy, across 12 months.

Function as a co-project manager – Output: A comprehensive workstream plan, identifying relevant target groups, has been developed and validated by MSDEC. Timeline: To be completed in 4 parts between May and August 2024.

Function as a co-project manager – Output: Communication pieces to management and/or the Supply Community are drafted and issued as per agreement with the team and in a timely manner. Timeline: To be completed in 2 parts between July and August 2024.

Function as a co-project manager – Output: In alignment with the workstream plan, the agreed upon consultations with stakeholders are prepared and carried out, addressing data quality issues. Timeline: To be completed in two parts between September and October 2024.

Function as a technical focal point for learning and for the development of the standard operating procedures in relation to the use of supply data for the Supply Community – Output: An internal assessment to identify the concerns of staff related to their understanding of the digital transformation is drafted, finalized and presented. Timeline: To be completed in two parts between November and December 2024.

Function as a technical focal point for learning and for the development of the standard operating procedures in relation to the use of supply data for the Supply Community – Output: A process to ideate, design and create solutions tailored to the identified staff concerns is put forth, agreed upon and carried forward. Timeline: To be completed by January 2025. 

Function as a technical focal point for learning and for the development of the standard operating procedures in relation to the use of supply data for the Supply Community – Output: An array of data literacy initiatives is proposed, agreed upon, planned and carried forward.  Timeline: To be completed by January 2025

Function as a technical focal point for learning and for the development of the standard operating procedures in relation to the use of supply data for the Supply Community – Output: An agreed upon pilot is planned and executed to validate the effectiveness of the data literacy initiatives.  Timeline: To be completed by April 2025

Update the internal BI SD’s Supply Dashboard pages with improved content and multimedia elements – Output: The relevant BI pages are updated in a satisfactory manner and as per agreement with the team. Timeline: To be completed in 4 parts between August, October 2024 and January, April 2025.

Travel International – 6 trips during Consultancy, each lasting 5 days. DSA will be paid according to UNICEF rate.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education: A completed Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree) in supply chain, economics, business administration, education, human resources or relevant field is required.

Work Experience: Applicants for this position should possess a minimum of 6 years of professional experience in the field of Knowledge management or learning and Development, with a proven track record of working within the framework of a UN organization. It is highly desirable for candidates to hold a Project Management
Certification, specifically PMP. Additionally, the ideal candidate should have demonstrated expertise in leading and successfully executing projects, showcasing the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with team members. Proficiency in managing comprehensive learning programs is crucial. 

Competencies: Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results, Planning and Organizing, Applying Technical Expertise.

Technical Knowledge:

• Good presentation skills and experience with communicating visually and in writing analysis results.
• Proven ability to work independently and with colleagues in international and local settings.
• Project management certification required.
• Knowledge of the design of informal and formal blended learning solutions to include e-learning, VILT, ILT and Modern Learner.
• Experience designing and implementing data literacy learning programs for organizations.
• Experience supporting capacity development projects, in the areas of digital dexterity, change management.
• Experience working with multimedia-based educational programs, e-learning solutions.
• Ability to develop and maintain an effective network of working relationships.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

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 “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s 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 to ensure 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.