Roster of Consultants | HIV, TB, Hepatitis and STIs - Access to Medicines and Supply Chain Management

Purpose

WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) wishes to develop a Regional Roster of Experts on Supply Chain and Laboratory systems strengthening to provide technical services and is inviting applications from eligible candidates based on the specified Terms of Reference (ToRs) below.

Background

The significant burden of HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) continues to pose a major public health challenge in many countries in the African Region. An effective response to these diseases is heavily reliant on resilient and efficient health systems, particularly robust supply chains and high-quality laboratory services. The uninterrupted availability of essential medicines, diagnostics, and other health commodities is critical for prevention, treatment, and care. Similarly, accurate and timely diagnostic services are the cornerstone of effective disease surveillance, case detection, and management.

Despite significant investments, many countries face challenges in accurate forecasting, stockouts of essential commodities, inadequate storage conditions, weak logistics management information systems (LMIS), and limited capacity for quality assurance. Laboratory systems often struggle with inadequate infrastructure, a lack of adherence to quality management systems (QMS), and insufficient human resource capacity. These weaknesses compromise the quality of care and hinder progress towards disease control and elimination targets. To address these gaps, there is a need for specialized technical expertise to support countries in strengthening their supply chain and laboratory systems.

The Health Promotion/Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) Cluster of the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) champions the "Ending Disease in Africa by 2030" vision, which emphasises integrated approaches to achieving HIV epidemic control, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the WHO 14th Programme of Work (GPW 14). Additionally, the WHO African Region's "Framework for an Integrated Multisectoral Response to TB, HIV, STIs and Hepatitis" highlights the importance of strengthening procurement and supply management systems and laboratory capacity as a core component of the regional strategy.

This roster of experts is to provide high-quality technical assistance to strengthen national supply chain and laboratory systems to ensure uninterrupted access to quality-assured health commodities and diagnostic services for HIV, TB, Hepatitis, and STIs.

Description of tasks

Strategic planning
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of the national supply chain systems
• Development of a costed national supply chain strategic plan and operational plans.

Quantification
• Quantification and forecasting of medicines, diagnostics, and other commodities for HIV, TB, Hepatitis, and STIs.
• Development of procurement plans ensuring adherence to best practices in procurement.
• Develop comprehensive quality assurance systems including procedures for post-market surveillance.

Warehousing and inventory management
• Strengthen warehousing and inventory management practices
• Establish and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for storage, stock-taking, and distribution.

Logistics Management Information System (LMIS)
• Strengthening and implementation of national LMIS, including electronic LMIS.

Capacity Building
• Develop and deliver training programmes on quantification, inventory management, LMIS, and quality assurance.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Education

Essential:

Advanced degree (master’s level) in supply chain management, logistics, public health, pharmacy or closely related field.

Desirable:

• Professional certification in supply chain management (CSCMP, APICS or equivalent)
• Specialised training in pharmaceutical supply chains, procurement, or logistics management
• Additional qualifications in health systems, international development or project management.

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven (7) years’ experience in supply chain management, procurement or logistics, with special focus on HIV and/or TB programmes.
• Experience in resource-limited settings especially in Africa.
• Experience in supply system design, optimization, or digital transformation initiatives.

Desirable:

• Experience in market shaping, pricing negotiations and pooled procurement mechanisms.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks for medicines registration, quality control and pharmacovigilance.
• Experience with supply chain technologies, inventory management software and digital platforms.
• Experience with scientific writing

Language skills:

Fluency (spoken and written) in at least one of the languages of the AFRO region is essential (English, French, Portuguese).

Location:

Multiple locations in Africa (WHO African Region).

Travel:

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration:

Band level B - USD 7,000 - 9,980 per month.
Consultant assignments are remunerated according to different pay bands based on qualification and experience.

Expected duration of contract:

The consultancy contract duration varies from 1 to 11 months, depending on the need.

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html

For roster VNs:

The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.