Purpose of consultancy
The number of reported crimes against women and girls in Liberia have continued to increase over the years, especially sexual and gender based violent related incidences or offences. While there might be several reasons responsible for the increase in reporting, it is unfortunate that the rate of prosecution or adjudication has not been in commensuration with the number of incidences reported. This is mostly as the result of insufficient evidence to support prosecution (especially since most of the offenses are perpetrated against children) thus the need to have a functional DNA/Forensic laboratory to help the litigation of cases through validated forensic investigations reports. 

The Government of Liberia and her partners (European Union through the Spotlight Initiative, and United Nations (UNFPA) have procured three RAPIDHID DNA Units and one full workflow for the provision of forensic/DNA service provision. The laboratory when fully operationalized, will serve the entire country as well as neighbouring countries. It will serve as a key instrument toward the fight against sex crimes in the Mano River Basin region. The SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE that funded this program will be ending even before the DNA Lab develops its full potential. Thereby highlighting the need for a Business Model or a Sustainability plan. 

DNA testing has wide range of possible, applications ranging from forensic testing, paternity testing, missing person identification, family member identification, medical diagnosis (just to name a few) are wildly lacking in the subregion. There is therefore an opportunity for the DNA lab to provide much needed currently unavailable services in Liberia and the subregion while at the same time generating revenue to sustain itself. In view of the above, it is prudent to hire a consultant (local/International) who will develop this business plan.

Main Objective 
The objective of this intervention is to develop a business model vis-a-vis a sustainability plan which will ultimately ensure the independently generated cash flow to subsidize government allotment for the smooth running of the Laboratory when donor funding runs out. As well as ensure service efficiency and effectiveness. 

The consultant will be responsible for the Following:

• Conduct a comprehensive inventory on the available infrastructure, equipment, and manpower capacity of the National Forensic Laboratory to serve as a baseline.
• Identify gaps relating to infrastructure, equipment, and manpower.
• Develop a comprehensive plan indicating the required logistics, infrastructure and human resources needed to fully and efficiently operationalize the laboratory to its full potential (It will be additional useful to include the following: architectural design and bill of quantities, listing of outstanding equipment (e.g., Toxicology), categories and number of needed manpower).
• Conduct a local (and possibly regional) markets needs of current and potential services that are/will/should be offered by the National Forensic Laboratory.
• Project realistic revenue that can be generated by the Laboratory (holding everything constant).

Scope of work

• Conduct a comprehensive inventory on the available infrastructure, equipment, and manpower capacity of the National Forensic Laboratory to serve as a baseline.
• Identify gaps relating to infrastructure, equipment, and manpower.
• Develop a comprehensive plan indicating the required logistics, infrastructure and human resources needed to operationalize the laboratory fully and efficiently to its full potential (It will be additional useful to include the following: architectural design and bill of quantities, listing of outstanding equipment (e.g., Toxicology), categories and number of needed manpower).
• Conduct a local (and possibly regional) markets needs of current and potential services that are/will/should be offered by the National Forensic Laboratory.
• Project realistic revenue that can be generated by the Laboratory (holding everything constant)
• Project an annual running cost estimate of the Laboratory.
• Use data estimates from bullet 5 & 6 to estimate profit or shortfall/deficit if any.
• Do a risk analysis and develop a risk mitigation plan.
• Propose sustainable power and water supply to the laboratory with preference to renewable energy if possible.
• Provide options for security against fire, burglary, vandalization, etc. 
• Proposed management structure, financial and administrative management system, marketing strategies that will ensure the sustainability of the Laboratory.
• In consultation with stakeholders, develop SOPs if required.
• Provide options for long term maintenance of Forensic equipment and other assets.

Duration and working schedule
The Consultant is expected to propose a plausible duration not more than 50 working days (Including weekends), aligned to the scope and methodology for undertaking this assignment.

Place where services are to be delivered
Montserrado County with outstation visits to other counties

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g., electronic, hard copy etc.)
The Consultant will be expected to deliver the following:
Inception Report – the consultant shall produce an Inception Report within 7 days after the contract is signed. The report shall provide a clear picture of how the consultant understands the ToRs and intends to achieve the expected tasks. It shall identify those that will be consulted and propose methodology for the assignment, including specific questions that will be researched to carry out the required assessments. The report shall also include a work plan with timelines for all the tasks that the consultant will undertake during the assignment.
Prototype report – the consultant shall present a report determining the prototype model of the plan within 25 workdays after commencement of the assignment. The report will be presented for validation by a reference committee and incorporate feedback and comments from the discussion.
Finalized SOPs, risk mitigation analysis and plans and the business model within 35 workdays.
Completion Report – upon completion of the assignment, the consultant should submit a final completion report by the 50 workdays. The report should outline all work undertaken, including characteristics of the system developed. Any follow-ups and/or recommendations should also be included in the report. In addition, work outputs shall be shared every 10 working days to ensure alignment between the ToRs and actual work completed.

Qualification/Experience
The consultant should demonstrate and provide examples of previous experience in the performance of similar services as follows:     

• Advanced degree (master’s Level) in a relevant field (Business Administration, Economic, Health System Management or Advanced Statistical Analysis).
• Familiarity and at least 7 years’ relevant experience in Diagnostics and Laboratory services.
• At least 7 years’ experience in M&E or M&E systems design.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.

For more information, please download the attached complete Terms of Reference

Please note that this post is a National Post and applicants of either sex are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates. UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Please submit all fraudulent notices, letters or offers to the UNFPA fraud hotline at http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

HOW TO APPLY
Candidates should submit their applications indicating post, attach an updated CV, OR a completed United Nations Personnel History Form (From P.11) obtainable from the UNFPA website at  www.unfpa.org.

ALL APPLICATIONS, WITH RELEVANT ATTACHMENTS, SHOULD BE EMAILED TO: ewatkins@unfpa.org, with a copy to: gaye@unfpa.org, jallah-scott@unfpa.org

 Deadline for submission of application is 09 May 2023.