Market Systems Development Specialist at Malaria Consortium

Job Type: Fixed Term
Level: Technical
Hours: 40
Benefits: National

Country and Project Background
Malaria is highly endemic in Nigeria and it remains one of the leading causes of childhood and maternal morbidity and mortality in the country. Nigeria is deeply committed to making progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and it recognizes the fact that, without firm efforts to control malaria, achievement of the targets related to child mortality, maternal
 
mortality, and reducing the burden of communicable disease will not be possible. Malaria therefore constitutes a significant development challenge for Nigeria. Interventions for reducing malaria burden in the country are documented in the national malaria strategic plan with Government taking the lead in its implementation with the support of all the RBM partners.

The Global Fund with contribution from DFID and other partners commenced funding of the private sector co-payment mechanism (PSCM) / Affordable Medicine Facility for malaria (AMFm) financing mechanism designed to expand access to Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), crowd out artemisinin monotherapies to slow down development of resistance to artemisinin, and replace ineffective antimalarials (CQ, SP) in Nigeria in September 2010. The funding has now ended in February this year and NMEP and all partners are in the process of finalising a plan to manage the transition of the ACT market from this funding. The aim is to finalise this plan in the next one / two months to allow for time to commence importation of next year quantities of ACTs for the private sector. Since the market of ACT and RDTs are closely linked, the plan will also include options for better synergy between these two markets.
 
Job Purpose

• The Job Holder will be responsible for applying a market systems approach in facilitating development of an ACT market transition plan for the delivery of required quantities of ACTs (and RDTs) for the private sector market (2019 - 2021), which a sizable proportion of the population can access at affordable prices and agreed quality standards. 

Scope of Work

• The market development specialist operates with a national scope and will report to the Country Director. He/she will be responsible for supporting NMEP and market partners to collate evidence to inform the development / finalization of the ACT market transition plan and implementation of initial activities especially ordering of ACTs for 2019 by the importers. 

Key Working Relationships:

• Regional Programmes Director, Country Technical coordinator, NMEP, other government departments, short term technical assistance (international and national), market partners, DFID Nigeria and the Global Fund.

Key Accountabilities

• Delivery of high quality project (80%)
• Lead the SUNMAP2 ACT market transition team to collate evidence and finalise the transition plan
• Work with NMEP, partners, stakeholders and short term TAs to gather evidence on ACT market in Nigeria include market and value chain analyses, forecasting the ACT need both in public and private, market share.
• Work with all stakeholders to use these information to identify constraints to ACT market transition to full commercial but affordable price and solutions to these constraints including possible synergy with the RDT market. 
• Support the selected market partners in updating their plans for their private sector ACT market 2019 – 2021 based the agreed national transition plan.
• Work closely with the international short term consultant to arrange quality-assured technical assistance to the project
• Work closely and manage the national short term consultants to carry out their designated assignments to quality and on time
• Provide limited and periodic technical support to market partners in implementing their revised plan based on the transition plan.
• Gather, document and disseminate results and learning of the project to internal and external stakeholders Representation and Coordination (20%)
• Support NMEP to get buy - in of all partners and stakeholders towards the transition plan and develop a transparent process in selecting partners to work with on the transition plan implementation.
• Attend relevant technical working group meetings

Person Specification Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

• Substantial experience working on projects which apply market systems approach in Nigeria
• Proven experience in ability to identify and engage private and public sector on innovative market driven solutions for scalable and sustainable results
• Knowledge about health care or health related market systems / context especially PSCM / Affordable Medicines Facility for malaria
• Experience and understanding of working with ACT manufacturers and/or distributors
• Experience planning, facilitating and managing stakeholder engagement and consultation workshops

Desirable:

• Knowledge of international development, particularly DFID- funded projects
• Expertise in market analysis, business strategy development
• Knowledge of national procurement procedures for health commodities
• Experience and understanding of working with RDT manufacturers and distributors

Work-based Skills
Essential:

• Comfortable working closely with senior government officials
• Strong negotiation skills
• Ability to work with confidential market information
• Capable of creating and maintain trust with market partners
• Proven skills in managing partnerships and agreements, including contract development, market and business (partnership) development and monitoring
• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Ability to work under pressure, and meeting tight deadlines
• Excellent time management skills

Desirable:

• Excellent presentation skills
• Skills in basic statistical analysis
• Ability to travel to the field at short notice
• Comfortable working in a multi-cultural environment

Core Competencies

Delivering results:
LEVEL C - Supports others to achieve results:

• Displays a positive and enthusiastic approach and is not deterred by setbacks, finding alternative ways to reach goals or targets.
• Supports others to plan and deliver results
• Supports others to manage and cope with setbacks

Analysis and use of information:
LEVEL D - Analyses the external environment confidently:

• Generates a range of policy options and appraises them based on the internal and external evidence
• Develops ways of applying new knowledge and ensures lesson-learning with self and wider team
• Analyses the significance of external events and situations for Malaria Consortium

Interpersonal and communications:
LEVEL D - Communicates complex technical and/or sensitive/high risk information effectively:

• Communicates complex operational, technical and strategic issues clearly and credibly with widely varied audiences
• Uses varied communication to promote dialogue and shared understanding and consensus across a variety of audiences
• Influences internal and external audiences on specific issues
• Scans the internal and external environment for key information and messages to support communications strategies.

Collaboration and partnering:
LEVEL C - Builds strong networks internally and participates actively in external networks and think tanks:

• Builds strong networks internally
• Participates actively in external networks and/or think tanks.
• Engages with relevant experts to gather and evaluate evidence
• Shares and implements good practice with internal and external peers

Leading and motivating people:
LEVEL C - Effectively leads and motivates others or direct reports:

• Gives regular, timely and appropriate feedback,
• Acknowledges good performance and deals with issues concerning poor performance
• Carries out staff assessment and development activities conscientiously and effectively
• Develops the skills and competences of others through the development and application of skills
• Coaches and supports team members when they have difficulties

Flexibility/ adaptability:
LEVEL:

• Responds positively to change, embracing and using new practices or values to accomplish goals and solve problems and supports others to do the same
• Adapts team approach, goals, and methods to achieve solutions and results in dynamic situations Sets realistic deadlines and goals for self or team

Living the values:
LEVEL C - Supports others to live Malaria Consortium’s values:

• Demonstrates personal integrity by using role position responsibly and fairly
• Cultivates an open culture within the wider team, promoting accountability, responsibility and respect for individual differences

Strategic planning and thinking and sector awareness:
LEVEL C - Keeps up to date with the internal and external environment:

• Takes into account economic, political and other business factors when drawing up medium and long-term plans, covering both public and private sectors,
• Looks beyond the immediate operations to prospects for new business,
• Engages with appropriate internal and external sources to establish major influences on future plan.

Remuneration
NGN6,583,500.