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Background and Justification :
In coming years drones will be fully incorporated into commercial airspace. Will we be ready? How can we use these emerging technologies to reach the most marginalized communities and deliver lifesaving help? UNICEF Namibia, National Institute of Pathology of Namibia and Johns Hopkins University Medical Drones is looking at the future of drones (UAV/Ss, RPAS), for humanitarian response and development.
Drones can be helpful, for example, for providing situational awareness during landslide, avalanche, earthquake or flood response situations, for helping management of humanitarian camps and people displacements, by bringing connectivity to disconnected areas and for transporting important medical supplies to hard-to-reach places.
The area of interest for this project will be to reach the hard-to-reach places for delivery of lifesaving medical supplies and testing.
With the global effort to eradicate the novel coronavirus, SARs-CoV2, we are pioneering, with this project, technology that will be frontline in the fight against COVID-19.
NIP, UNICEF and Johns Hopkins are collaborating. We enter this unchartered space relying on a vast amount of expertise in the implementation of drone technologies for humanitarian assistance.
The intended are of focus, the Zambezi region, has outlying communities which can be cut off from all services by the yearly seasonal flood. Traditionally, the only way to reach these communities has been by using canoes. This project using drones intends shorten the transport time and increase the scope of timely medical services.
How can you make a difference?
Scope of Work :
Goal and Objective: Under the supervision of the Chief CSD, and in close coordination with the Head of Business Applications Support at the ICT Business Unit of the National Institute of Pathology (NIP), which is UNICEF’s key implementing partner of this project, the consultant will coordinate the pilot project of the research study to establish a drone medical transport system.
The goal of this project is as f ollows :
- Determine feasibility and logistics required to establish and run medical drone networks ;
- Evaluate the impact of drones on the capacity and efficiency of specimen transport, vaccine delivery including other medical commodities from the clinics ;
- Provide access to diagnostic services, vaccines, and improve patient testing and treatment turnaround times ;
- Determine the cost drivers of drone transport; and
- Identify the logistic and training requirements for integration of drone technology into existing sample transport networks and for flight operators.
Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered :
This assignment contributes to achievement of results under activity 1.2.8. of the UNICEF-GRN Rolling Work Plan 2020/21: “Strengthen humanitarian response systems to reduce transmission and mitigate effects of the COVID-19 pandemics”.
Activities and Tasks :
Work with NCAA to determine regulations and source documents :
Finalizing regulations processes and prepare applications & submit documentation :
-
-
- Import Permits ;
- Flight Clearances ;
- IRB Application, if needed.
Support in-country activities :
- Community sensitization efforts ;
- Liaison with NIP, MOH & UNICEF and other key partners, such as Johns Hopkins University ;
- Support the project oversight committee: members would include MOH, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), UNICEF, other NGOs – coordinating monthly/quarterly updates and meetings to review process, findings, procedures ;
- Fundraising activities ;
- Document experiences and learn from the successes and failures of the tests and simulations to be performed.
Work relationships: The consultant will work directly with National Institute of Pathology (NIP) and in turn with the project implementers, Johns Hopkins Medical Drones and report back to UNICEF.
Outputs/Deliverables:
| Deliverables |
Duration
(Estimated # of days or months)
|
Timeline/Deadline
|
| Inception Report and Work Plan |
2 Weeks
|
October 2020
|
| Map the logistic processes of NIP and improvement plan using drones |
2 months
|
November 2020
|
| Acquisition of licensing/permits from aviation authority |
3 months
|
March 2021
|
| Work with Hopkins Medical Drones to setup items needed for drone operations i. wind speed monitors ii. communication devices iii. Cellular strength monitors iv. Data transfers v. NIP testing logs etc. |
6 months
|
March 2021
|
| Constructions plans of drone landing pads approved by authorities |
8 months
|
April 2021
|
| Minutes of meetings |
11.5 Months/Every quarter
|
15 July 2021
|
| Reports |
11.5 months
|
15 July 2021
|
Payment Schedule : Monthly per approved monthly progress report.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Desired Profile :
-
- University degree ;
- At least two (2) years of professional experience in drone related ;
- Project management skills including results driven task prioritization and budget monitoring ;
- Experience working in the private sector or managing corporate partnerships ;
- Experience implementing and scaling new projects or technologies in developing countries is an asset ;
- Knowledge or experience of technical regulations or the commercial drone industry is an asset ;
- Experience with running or implementing (failed or successful) start-ups ;
- Proactive and organized, must be able to multitask ;
- Fluency in English is required.
Administrative issues :
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
Risks
The impact of COVID19 on global movement of goods may negatively affect the timely delivery of the drone (or essential parts) to Namibia, thus delaying implementation. Also, as a direct result of COVID19 response measures, international travel of the partner experts from Johns Hopkins University to Windhoek may also be delayed as aviation industry has suspended international travel and while borders have since been opened, would be hampered by the mandatory 14 days quarantine on arrival. Depending on how the pandemic epidemiology unfolds within Namibia, it could potentially hamper travel to Katima Mulilo to facilitate capacity building for timely project implementation.
For mitigation against these risks, the drone is being transported to Namibia by sea, a route which has been less affected by the global travel restrictions. All work that can be done remotely will commence without delay, including remote capacity building and mentoring where possible, while capacity building of the implementers in Zambezi Region will be subjected to pandemic response measures including physical distancing and training of smaller groups at a time.
How to Apply :
Qualified candidates can access UNICEF’s vacancies at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ to submit online application before Friday, 31 July 2020.
Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference of the consultancy.
Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g. consultancy fee, travel/flights, field trips, living allowance).
Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.
Evaluation Weighting :
- 70% – Technical ;
- 30% – Financial.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
View our competency framework at UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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.