International Individual Consultant: Reproductive Health Supply Chain Strategy (RHSCS), P3/P4

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for reproductive health and rights, working towards delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s global strategic plan (2022-2025) focuses on achieving three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that will transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results. We need principled and ethical staff, who embody human rights norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

The Position:

The PNG CO will implement the new Country Programme (2024 – 2028) with its goal to accelerate progress towards transformative results to ensure that women, girls, and young people have access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, by transforming harmful social and gender norms and using data and evidence to inform decision-making and translate political commitments into action. 

This programme cycle represents UNFPA’s continued commitment to support the country towards the achievement of the three transformative results, contribution towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sexual Reproductive health priorities of the government of Papua New Guinea. Family Planning is one of the outcomes of the 7^th programme cycle and it also conforms with the government’s Strategic Priority Area 3 of Medium-Term Development Plan IV and UNFPA supplies partnership programme where the government is investing in Family planning programming through strengthening supply chain. In line with recommendations of the ICA, UNFPA in consultation with NDoH have agreed to support the development of the National Reproductive Health Supply Chain (NRHSC) Strategy which will provide a road map in supply chain management in Papua New Guinea.

It is widely recognized today that ensuring a reliable supply of quality reproductive health commodities and contraceptives is essential to reproductive health programs. The tagline ‘No product! No program!’ is known, understood, and embraced by those working to strengthen the supply chain system. UNFPA supplies partnership programme supports availability of contraceptives where every person can choose, obtain, and use quality contraceptives, condoms, and other necessary reproductive health (RH) supplies when and where they need them. This is an expression of the Government of Papua New Guinea’s commitment to a dynamic and proactive response to the UNFPA supplies partnership to meet Reproductive Health needs of its citizens.

Improving the provision of quality reproductive health services including family planning and access to Reproductive Health and Family Planning commodities, for child limiting/spacing, prevention of STIs including HIV/AIDS and reduction of maternal and child mortality, can contribute to the Government’s objectives of reducing poverty and improving population dynamics.

Through this strategy, Papua New Guinea will assure availability of reproductive health commodities and contribute to accelerating the reduction of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and unmet need for family planning in the country thus contributing to two of the three transformative results.

This will be in collaboration with the Population and Family Planning Branch and the Medical Supplies and Procurement and Distribution Branch in the National Department of Health and other key partners.

You will report to: 

The consultant will technically report to Technical Specialist FP/MH/RH under the overall oversight of the UNFPA country Representative and the Deputy Representative. NDoH, PHAs and all key stakeholders will be actively involved at every stage.

Job Purpose:

The purpose of the consultancy (International) is to assist the Government of Papua New Guinea through the Population and family planning Branch and the Medical Supplies Procurement and Distribution Branch in the National Department of Health to develop a 5-year National Reproductive Health Supply Chain Strategy.

You would be responsible for:

The main objective of the consultancy is: 

The aim is to ensure reproductive health commodity security within a strengthened, enabling, and developmental environment as well as humanitarian context.

The specific objectives of the consultancy therefore are:

• Conduct the diagnostic analysis and to initiate the RHCS strategy development process.
• To develop a fully integrated, functional, optimized, interlinked reproductive health supply chain strategy for Papua New Guinea.
• To provide a set of guiding principles and interventions that will enhance the availability and accessibility of effective, safe, and high-quality health commodities to all people living in Papua New Guinea in line with the Femili PNG strategic Plan, National Maternal and Newborn Health Strategy and other national FP/RHCS related documents.

Activities and duration (Workplan): 

The National Reproductive Health Supply Chain (NRHSC) Strategy development is planned to be carried out in two phases. The first phase will be done for seven weeks aimed at conducting diagnostic analysis of the current state of the Reproductive Health supply chain as an input to the development of the five-year integrated NRHSC strategy and it includes the field visit. This phase will be successfully completed, highlighting critical areas, priorities, and potential recommendations to address in the NRHSC strategic planning.

The second phase will involve:  Strategy development activities including in-person consultations and pursuit of vetting and endorsement process for proposed supply chain strategic objectives. 

Hence, these terms of reference outline details referring to the first and second phase of the development of the National Reproductive Health Supply Chain Strategy and its Costed Implementation Plan.  

 Inception - 7days

1. Desk review of supply chain assessment reports done by different partners in PNG (UNICEF, World Vision, Global fund reports etc.).
2. Present the draft inception report to UNFPA and key stakeholders outlining among other things the approach/methodology and work plan/timetable (a proposed work plan is shown below but is subjected to change as advised by the consultant).
3. Integrate input and feedback received after presentation of the draft and submit the inception report.

Phase 1  - 28days

1. Review relevant documents and hold consultations with key stakeholders including Population and family Planning branch, Medical Supplies Procurement and Distribution branch, UN agencies, supply chain partners, the National Department of Health, and Provincial Health Authorities.
2. Conduct rapid diagnosis of the overall supply chain environment to map out status, define main problematic areas and establish the relationship between current performance baselines vs. intended best practices. 

Data collection (22 days).

•   Field visit to Central Warehouse -1 , Area Medical Stores -5, Hospitals -8, 8 lower level facilities,  and Academic institutions -2.
•  Key informant interviews: consultations with specialists, key persons from national and the selected Provincial Health Authorities

1. Submit a draft diagnostic report to the FP RHCS TWG and reflect feedback and submit.

Phase 2

1. Facilitate a supply chain strategy workshop (including SWOT analysis) (10 working days), which will include: 
2.  Pre-planning for the workshop.
3. Actual holding of the workshop with key stakeholders in the country to identify supply chain processes and systems that are needed, prioritize them, and develop a framework to execute the strategy.   
4. Preparation of workshop report.
5. Development of a National Reproductive Health Supply Chain Strategy based on inputs articulated during the strategy workshop (activities include sharing drafts and reviewing the document based on comments provided by stakeholders) (15 working days) 
6. Facilitate a validation workshop for adoption of the strategy and consultation on the costed implementation strategy (5 working days):
7. Pre-planning of the workshop
8. Actual validation workshop
9. Preparation of report 
10. Prepare and submit reports of the Reproductive health supply chain strategy with the costed implementation plan to National Department of Health (15working days)

Phase 3

Upon receipt of the soft validated Reproductive Health supply chain Strategy.

Deliverable/s: (soft copies)

• Inception 
• Report of the diagnostic analysis
• Tools, guide, and activity plan for field assessment 
• Synthesis papers for each strategic area based on the diagnostic analysis in phase 1.
• Develop and share strategy outline for validation.
• Draft report of the supply chain strategy workshop conducted. 
• Report of the validation workshop conducted.
• Finalized Reproductive Health supply chain strategy document with costed implementation plan 

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant will be required to complete the tasks in a structured manner according to the working schedule and he/she will be monitored. A biweekly meeting will be held with the consultant providing updates to the key stakeholders The FP/RHCS TWG will be in the lead for the strategy development and will oversee the entire process on behalf of the National Department of Health.

The consultant will hold a debriefing meeting on key deliverables with the family planning/ Supply Chain Technical Working Group and UNFPA at the end of the consultancy.

Expected travel:

The consultant is expected to travel to PHAs; travel expenses will be covered by the UNFPA PNG Country office.
 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree in Supply chain management, Pharmacy or Public Health, Social science field related to reproductive health, demography, and sociology. 
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in Public Health supply chain management would be desirable.
• Prior Management of pharmaceutical supply chain operations in a low resource or similar setting will be advantageous. 
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Experience in the use of costing tools
• Knowledge about the common challenges and solutions within health supply chains and experience in similar projects of developing a supply chain strategy is preferred.
• Previous experience and knowledge of UNFPA’s reproductive health commodity security mandate is a strong asset. 

Core Competencies:

• Integrity, commitment, cultural sensitivity, and valuing diversity.
• Developing people/Coaching and Mentoring.
• Building and managing relationships; and
• Personal leadership and effectiveness.

Language and other competencies:

• Fluency in oral and written English. 
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiating, communication and networking skills with the ability to liaise with representatives from the Government and NGOs at the highest levels.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills. 
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation of virtual meetings and consultations.
• Demonstrated skills in facilitation of workshops.
• Previous experience in working with the UN is an asset.
• Competency in basic computer skills.
• Producing deliverables in a timely manner.
• Willingness to travel to Provincial Health Authorities.

Compensation and Benefits:

 The Country Office will provide:

• Access to key documents required for the work. 
• Office space
• Laptop
• Vehicle/driver in relation to participation in meetings and field visits
• Daily subsistence allowance for authorized travel outside of duty station for data collection and stakeholder consultation meetings
• Costs relevant to stakeholder consultation meetings e.g., venue and meals. 
• At least one UNFPA Staff to join the Consultant in the field work (either Programme or Communications Staff) ℅ UNFPA

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.