TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR CONSULTANT UNDER DIGITIZING FORTIFICATION QUALITY AND STRENGTHENING ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS (DFQS) PROJECT FOR DIGITAL SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT

Organization Background:

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people. We aim to make healthier food choices more desirable, more available, and more affordable. GAIN’s mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving the consumption of nutritious and safe food for all people, especially the most vulnerable to malnutrition.

Project Background:

The main objective of the project “Digitizing fortification quality and strengthening enabling environments (DFQS)” is the digitization of the food fortification process and the development of a Digital Fortification Quality Traceability (DFQT+) system for edible oil including capacity building of relevant industries and government stakeholders. The project will establish a country-owned digital solution that enables refineries to produce accurate and traceable data on food fortification quality focusing on the “Fortification of Edible Oil with Vitamin A” within factories and transmit the data digitally to government regulators, especially to Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) under the Ministry of Industries (MoInd).

GAIN is supporting the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and Ministry of Industries (MoInd) to monitor the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of fortified edible oil in Bangladesh. GAIN as the development partner is leading the consortium and our global consortium partners are the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, TechnoServe, Camelot, BioAnalyt, BASF, DSM, and GH+ Labs.

Purpose of Consultancy:

The Consultant will be mainly responsible for managing and supporting the implementation of the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability (DFQT+) solution with the govt and private implementing partners. The responsibility is to connect and coordinate with the govt regulatory agency Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), technology service providers Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), and Ministry of Industries (MoInd), edible oil producers for the necessary administrative works and approvals. As GAIN is the development partner of the project, Bangladesh must continue all sorts of business and technical support to the existing MIS system FortifyMIS at BSTI. FortifyMIS system requires and proper transition through the integration with the DFQT+ system. S/he will collaborate with the country vendors and partners to ensure reasonable assistance to the BSTI field officers. S/he will maintain a working relationship with the BSTI, BCC, MoInd and other relevant consortium and technical partners who have higher engagement in the project. S/he will report to the Project Manager, Digitalization, Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) initiative of the GAIN Bangladesh Team.

Scope of Work:

  • Support Digital Fortification Quality Traceability (DFQT+) system implementation
    • Assist in the implementation activities of the DFQT+ system, user onboarding, training, collecting feedback, and maintaining proper documents for the producers, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
    • Collaborate and coordinate with the project team, in-country vendor, and other partners regularly and effectively to ensure the proper integration of the FortifyMIS system with the DFQT+ system.
    • Assist in the regular support and follow-up with BSTI, MoInd, and the producer working committee during the pilot implementation and in the scale-up of the system.
  • Collaboration, and coordination with the govt and private partners
    • Act as one of the points of contact to get the necessary administrative and authorized approvals from the govt and private implementing partners of the DFQT+ system.
    • Ensure proper communication and coordination with the stakeholders at BSTI, Ministry of Industries (MoInd), Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), and other service providers of the project.
    • Assist the Project Manager in drafting, preparing, and maintaining the necessary documents with different partners, for example, Service Contracts, Agreements, MoUs, Terms & Conditions (T&C), Request for Proposals (RFPs), Work Reports, etc.
  • Technical support and documentation
    • Provide hands-on assistance to the producer and BSTI users for the DFQT+ system to effectively use the system, data entry, and report extraction.
    • Prepare and regularly maintain the onboarding documents, video and audio tutorials, user manuals, requirements, list of feedback, etc.
    • Being based in different partners’ offices, act as the key point of support on behalf of the GAIN Bangladesh project team, to extend technical support and formal processes required for government approvals.

Competencies:

  • Experienced in relevant fields in technology and information systems such as Business Analyst, Project Coordinator, etc.
  • A dynamic individual with good interpersonal and communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments, and development fields especially in Information Technology (IT), Business Analysis, and IT support.
  • Proficient in using modern technology and analysis with the ability to effectively liaise and facilitate with government offices, and other agencies.
  • Experience in using data analysis software, tracking indicators, developing and/or strengthening MIS and quality reporting.
  • Ability to use prioritize, and work well independently under pressure to meet deadlines.
  • Self-motivated, solution-oriented, flexible, and willing to travel as and when required.

Education:

  • B.Sc/M.Sc/Honours/Masters in Computer Science/ Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)/ Management in Information System (MIS) or equivalent in a relevant field.
  • Candidates with an academic background in Business Administration with expertise and working experience in Technology project management or coordination roles and responsibilities are highly encouraged to apply.


Confidentiality:

All information provided as a part of the proposal/application evaluation process and the ToR is considered confidential. Proposal/Application discussions and all the information received in responses to this ToR will be held strictly confidential.

Timeline:
The ToR will be effective from December 10, 2024, for 6 months initially. Based on performance and scope of work contract duration might be extended. The contract start date and end date will change as per the selection process and timeline.

Consultancy Fee:

The monthly consultancy fee of BDT 100,000 (Including the VAT and TAX) will be paid to the consultant. GAIN will deduct VAT and TAX as per Government rules and regulations if applicable.

Payment Schedule:

Monthly payment will be based on deliverables. The consultant shall submit an Invoice to GAIN. The invoice will give details of the amount and time worked and the work status report. GAIN will pay the fees in the invoice upon completion of the required task to GAIN’s satisfaction within 30 days of receipt of the invoice submitted in accordance with the TOR.

General Terms and Conditions:

  • Notice of non-binding solicitation: GAIN reserves the right to reject all bids/applications received in response to this solicitation and is in no way bound to accept any proposal.
  • Limitations about third parties: GAIN does not represent, warrant, or act as agent for any third party because of solicitation. This solicitation does not authorize any third party to bind or commit GAIN in any way without GAIN’s express written consent.
  • Intellectual property: Subject to the terms of the contract to be concluded between GAIN and the applicant, the ownership of the intellectual property related to the scope of work of the contract, including technical information, know-how, processes, copyrights, models, drawings, and specifications developed by the applicant concerning the activities shall vest exclusively and entirely with GAIN.
  • Scope of change: Once the contract is signed, no increase in the liability of GAIN or the fees to be paid by GAIN for the services resulting from any change, modification, or interpretation of the documentation will be authorized or paid to the applicant, unless such change, modification or interpretation has received the express prior written approval of GAIN.
  • Zero-tolerance: GAIN follows the zero-tolerance policy for any form of Bribery, Fraud, Corruption, Terrorism, or Money Laundering. All applicants undertake to comply with all applicable laws to ensure that it does not engage in any kind of criminal activity including but not limited to bribery, fraud, corruption, terrorism, money laundering, and maintaining ethical business practices as well as not to commit any Prohibited Acts.
  • Indemnity/Release of Liability: All liabilities arising from or relating to the work associated with this project shall be the responsibility of the respective applicant and no liability of any nature shall be passed to GAIN.
  • Entitlement: Respective applicant shall safeguard the interest of GAIN on its confidential information under the laws of the Government of Bangladesh. The organization will not use any documents or output from this project for any other projects without written approval from GAIN. This clause shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the expiry or termination of the assignment.
  • Non-Transferability: Respective applicants should not assign a subcontract, delegate, or otherwise transfer or dispose of any of its rights or obligations under this contract.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL/APPLICATION

The eligible and interested candidates are requested to apply and send their CVs to GAIN.Bangladesh@gainhealth.org by 30th November 2024.