Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan and help countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNDP is a founding cosponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and a co-sponsor of several other international health partnerships. UNDP’s work on HIV, health and development, as described in the HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021: Connecting the Dots, leverages UNDP’s core strengths and mandates in human development, governance and capacity development to complement the efforts of specialist health-focused UN agencies. UNDP delivers three types of support to countries in HIV, health and development. 

First, UNDP helps countries to mainstream attention to HIV and health into action on gender, poverty and the broader effort to achieve and sustain the Sustainable Development Goals.

Second, UNDP works with partners to address the interactions between governance, human rights and health responses. Sometimes this is done through focused or specialized programmes, such as promoting attention to the role of the law and legal environments in facilitating stronger HIV responses, including the use of flexibilities in intellectual property law to lower the cost of medicines and diagnostics. UNDP also works to empower and include marginalized populations who are disproportionately affected by HIV, such as sex workers, men who have sex with men and people living with HIV. Beyond these focused efforts, UNDP plays a role in ensuring attention to HIV and health within broader governance and rights initiatives, including support to municipal action on SDGs, sustainable responses for Health and HIV such as improving sustainability of AIDS financing, sustainable health procurement, strengthening of national human rights institutions and increasing access to justice for key populations.

Third, as a trusted, long-term partner with extensive operational experience, UNDP supports countries in effective implementation of complex, multilateral and multi-sectoral health projects, while simultaneously investing in capacity development so that national and local partners can assume these responsibilities over time.

UNDP’s Partnership with the Global Fund

UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund is an important part of this work, facilitating access to resources for action on SDG 3 by countries that face constraints in directly receiving and managing such funding.  UNDP partners with countries in crisis/post-crisis situations, those with weak institutional capacity or governance challenges, and countries under sanctions. When requested, UNDP acts as interim Principal Recipient in these settings, working with national partners and the Global Fund to improve management, implementation and oversight of Global Fund grants, while simultaneously developing national capacity to be able to assume the Principal Recipient role over time. There is a dedicated team who provides support to Country Offices implementing Global Fund grants (GFHIST).

Health procurement and supply chain management support, an integral part of development solutions and support services that UNDP provides for the implementation of large and complex health programmes, contribute to the equitable delivery of essential services.

The national and international health landscapes are rapidly changing. New health initiatives are emerging, particularly in relation to non-communicable diseases, which bring to light pressing challenges linked to health systems strengthening including, health procurement and supply chain management. These opportunities go beyond UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund and require a new modus operandi to optimize UNDP’s investments into global health. In addition, UNDP needs to continue to expand opportunities for partnerships with key stakeholders on health procurement including with UNICEF, UNFPA and UNOPS/GDF but also on supporting the development of national supply chains with additional partners such as GAVI, WHO, WFP and The Global Fund.

UNDP’s Role in Provision of Health Products

Generated out of the success of the UNDP-Global Fund partnership, a rapidly increasing number of governments are requesting UNDP to help strengthen national capacities and systems for the provision of health services, especially for the procurement and supply management of medicines and health products.

The primary focus of this procurement has been medicines and diagnostics for infectious diseases, but it also includes a broad range of laboratory and hospital equipment. Increasingly, UNDP is receiving requests to support the procurement of medicines, diagnostics and medical equipment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs. In addition to procurement services, UNDP also supports governments to build resilient health systems and support the national procurement and supply chain system. This includes providing technical expertise to strengthen legal, policy and regulatory frameworks, improve procurement rules and regulations, and remove potential barriers to equitable access to affordable medicines.

Conducting procurement of health products in a globalized pharmaceutical market places the organization at special risk of providing substandard products which could put patients’ health at risk, expose UNDP to legal actions, cause loss of money and severely damage the reputation of the organization. In line with established best practice, UNDP has a Quality Assurance (QA) Policy for all health products supplied by UNDP. The UNDP QA Policy is a key document for all parties involved in health procurement activities across UNDP as well as for national partners, suppliers and donors as it details UNDP’s requirements for health procurement, in line with international best practice.  Consistent observance of this policy is essential to ensure UNDP health procurement is safe. Regular monitoring and oversight of the compliance of the QA policy, and support to its implementation, will be the responsibility of BPPS-HHD

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Health PSM Advisor and the QA Specialist, the Quality Assurance Consultant will be responsible for:

Providing guidance and technical support on Quality Assurance (QA) for the sourcing and monitoring of health products procured and supplied by UNDP as follows:

  • Supporting the coordination of the quality assessment of health products sources (manufacturers, products, procurement agencies);
  • Ensuring that all QA activities are appropriately performed, documented.
  • Supporting the coordination and the updating of UNDP database of qualified suppliers and health products;
  • Participating in the adjudication of tenders for health products for QA aspects;
  • Providing technical advice and guidance for the selection of quality control laboratories and for establishing the scope of work, the methodology for testing samples and reporting;
  • Monitoring the quality of the health products (quality testing reports, follow-up complaints, re-assessment of sources).

Providing technical support services to UNDP Country Offices (COs), Regional and Headquarters (HQ) staff on QA related issues, as follows:

  • Providing technical advice and guidance to the Procurement and Supply Chain Managements Specialists (HQ, Regional, COs) on technical issues related to the quality of health products and monitoring of suppliers for all QA aspects;
  • Supporting the coordination on the improvement and establishment of QA processes, procedures taking into consideration the local conditions and ensuring they are in line with international good practices within UNDP projects;
  • Supporting the identification of QA issues, challenges and risks and providing constructive solutions in the handling of health products at country level (storage and distribution);

Supporting the collaboration and communication with QA experts at international, regional and local levels, as follows:

  • Assisting in the communication with WHO, other UN agencies, non-governmental agencies, the Global Fund and others key actors for all matters related to QA of heath products;
  • Supporting the Senior Health PSM Advisor and the QA Specialist in representing UNDP in relevant technical meetings with partners and working groups
  • Sharing information on quality of sources and quality complaints with other agencies/partners at the global, regional and local level; 

Participating in UNDP and other relevant external networks to promote the UNDP QA Policy and its implementation in relevant forums (conferences, e-forum).

Contributing to the recruitment processes for consultants and the maintenance of roster of specialized consultants.

Any other activity assigned by the QA Specialist or Senior Health Procurement and Supply Chain Management Advisor, GF/HIST

Expected Deliverables:

  • Monthly report on quality issues reported by the CO’s and assessed by QA and outcomes;
  • Monthly report on alerts issued by NRA’s or international agencies and outcomes;
  • Monthly report of Request for Approvals for ARVs and essential medicines through 2nd tier LTAs;
  • UNDP database of qualified suppliers and health products updated and maintained;
  • Outcome of the new tender on requalification of quality control laboratories report submitted;
  • Monthly report listing the number of quality control reports received from COs reviewed;
  • Monthly report of assessment of new sources (pair product/manufacturing sites) offered by manufacturers including involvement of external experts.

Reporting:

The Quality Assurance Consultant shall report to the Quality Assurance Specialist (Copenhagen) or the Senior Health PSM Advisor (Geneva) for any queries and assistance on a day-to-day basis.

Travel: 

  • Two trips of two days to Geneva
  • PSM Workshop in Istanbul Turkey 8-11 October 2019 (5) Days

Payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be covered and paid for by UNDP. The fare will always be “most direct, most economical” and any difference in price with the preferred route will be paid for by the expert.

Evaluation:

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and competencies specified below through a desk review or an interview process. Applicants will be evaluated based on: Cumulative analysis method that combines the results of technical and financial evaluation results

Technical Evaluation Criteria (maximum 70 points):

A minimum of 7 years progressive relevant professional experience with the majority working in quality assurance for health products at national and international level including, developing quality assurance related policies, tools and providing guidance to procurement teams – 15 points

Demonstrated understanding of WHO prequalification program and/or others assessment/registration process followed by stringent regulatory authorities, with a knowledge or understanding of national regulatory requirements in low and middle countries– 15 points

Experience in developing partnerships with UN agencies, partners and donors on quality assurance issues for health products– 15 points

 Solid experience in the management of people and systems in high-pressure environments – 15 points

Work experience in developing countries – 10 points

 

Financial Evaluation Criteria (maximum 30 points):


p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
z = price of the proposal being evaluated

 

Timeframe:

The consultant’s 90-day assignment will be UNDP Copenhagen based and conducted over the period from 15 July 2019 to 29 November 2019.

Payment:

 ·       The consultant will be paid as a daily rate (based on the number of days worked).

  • Payment based on monthly country report detailing achieved deliverables and certified by the Senior Health PSM Advisor;
  • Payments will be based on the Certificate of Payments that will be submitted on a monthly basis;
  • Time Sheet will be attached and verified by the direct supervisor; and
  • Final tranche upon performance evaluation from the direct supervisor

Guidelines for Applications:

Interested applicants are advised to carefully review this advertisement and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described.

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Please note that our system only takes one attachment. Therefore, kindly scan all your documents into a single PDF file to upload.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. rent of dwelling, fee, health insurance, vaccination, visa costs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). All envisaged costs (except of the unforeseen travel costs for missions, if any) must be included in the financial proposal. Unforeseen travel costs for missions, if any, will be paid separately according to UNDP rules and regulations. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. Per diems cannot exceed UN DSA rates (http://icsc.un.org/rootindex.asp).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.ANNEX 1- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS is provided here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products;
  • Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
  • Ability to perform a variety of specialized activities related to contract and procurement management

Project and Resource Management:

  • Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.
  • Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs.
  • Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Partnership building and team work:

  • Demonstrated well developed people management skills.
  • Excellent negotiating and networking skills.
  • Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment.

Communications and Advocacy:

  • Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly.
  • Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences.
  • Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically.
  • Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in Pharmacy;
  • Complimentary qualifications in Procurement and Supply Management and/or Public Health and/or Quality Assurance of health products will be an asset.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience with the majority working in quality assurance for health products at national and international level including, developing quality assurance related policies, tools and providing guidance to procurement teams;
  • Demonstrated understanding of WHO prequalification program and/or others assessment/registration process followed by stringent regulatory authorities, with a knowledge or understanding of national regulatory requirements in low and middle countries;
  • Strong experience in the management of people and complex situations in high-pressure environments, desirable;
  • Experience in developing partnerships with UN agencies, partners and donors on quality assurance issues for health products, desirable;
  • Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communications skills; experience in interacting with senior government officials and major supplier’s companies.

Language:

  • Excellent oral and written English.   
  • A second UN language is desirable and more particularly French or Spanish.

    Other Requirements:

    Willingness to travel frequently to UNDP Country Offices.