Consultant II: To Facilitate and Coordinate the Compilation and Production of the EDL at Management Sciences For Health - MSH

Grade: Consultant
Group/Office: PDG (Program Delivery Group)
Dept/Unit: PDGGEN - Program Delivery Group
Project/Program: A607 - Nigeria Global Fund RSSH
Reports to:  Director, Laboratory

Overview

• The overarching aim of the GF Resilient & Sustainable Systems for Health [RSSH] project is to improve the health and well-being of the Nigerian people by identifying and addressing systemic issues affecting the optimal delivery of health services in Nigeria. The resulting high-level interventions have been designed to follow the Global Fund’s framework for [RSSH] that is built on the essential building blocks of WHO for a well-functioning health system, including community systems strengthening (CSS) as another critical component to be addressed in support of RSSH.
• The RSSH grant is designed to strengthen the Nigerian health system across the HIV, TB, and Malaria program areas. In doing so it'll have interventions targeted at the HMIS, PSM & Lab system strengthening areas. There's also the additional dimension of the innovative "State approach" to be piloted in the three states of Oyo, Kaduna & Imo. The state approach covers elements like public financial management, support for health insurance and health sector coordination among others. Laboratory system strengthening aims to improve laboratory operations for optimal patient care, treatment, disease surveillance and response, biosafety and policy development.
• In vitro diagnostics (IVD) are essential for advancing universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies and promoting healthier populations – the three strategic priorities of WHO General Programme of Work 2019 – 2023. WHO has an essential list of in-vitro diagnostics (EDL) 2018 and 2019 which it recommends for use in countries. Countries are expected to decide which IVDs to select and where to use them, depending on the country’s epidemiology, human resources and infrastructure.
• This activity is to hire a national consultant who will in collaboration with an international consultant provided by WHO work to develop a national EDL for Nigeria. The Nigerian national EDL will be aligned with the National Medical Laboratory Policy and the Nigerian Medical Laboratory Strategic Plan both of which are in the process of being reviewed.

Objective
The key objective for this short-term consultancy is:

• To develop an Essential In-vitro Diagnostics List (EDL) for use in Nigeria.

Specific Terms of Reference

• Undertake a thorough review of the WHO’s 2018 and 2019 EDL
• Undertake a thorough review of Nigerian demographics and burden of disease, treatment facilities; access to reagents and basic infrastructure; training and experience of available personnel; local and unmet testing gaps; supply chain and transport links; facility quality assurance coverage and capacity; local availability of treatments; financial resources; information technology capabilities; local disease elimination priorities; and environmental factors
• Use the information to adapt the WHO’s EDL to suit the national need.
• Produce an EDL list for the different levels of health care delivery systems in Nigeria – primary, secondary and tertiary.
• Produce comprehensive report of the consultancy.
• Expected completion Period: Consultancy will span the period August – October 2019
• Estimated level of effort: 10 working days in total.

Deliverables

• Prepare detailed report of all consultations (with pictorial evidences where necessary).
• Provide comprehensive report on stakeholders’ engagement, recommendations and presentations (with pictorial evidences).
• Prepare a detailed design/scope and strategy employed in the development of the national EDL
• Report of the development of the national EDL.
• Final Draft copy of the Nigerian National Essential In-Vitro Diagnostic List.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Medical Laboratory Professional with a minimum of Master’s degree in the life sciences.
• Advanced degree (Masters Level) in Public Health will be an advantage.

Essential Experience required:

• 8 – 10 years’ experience working in public health and global health at the national and regional level.
• Must be familiar with Nigerian healthcare delivery systems and structures especially as it relates to laboratory services
• Demonstrable Experience in developing selection criteria, procurement and management of diagnostics.
• Verifiable evidence of performance in similar jobs: EDL development