International consultant to conduct an analysis of the national legislation of procurement methods and practices for health commodities for HIV and TB

Hire an international consultant to conduct an analysis of the national legislation of procurement methods and practices for health commodities for HIV and TB

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Health and Nutrition

Albania's national response to HIV has been guided by the National Strategy of Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS in Albania (NSPCHA)2015-2019, and the national response to TB has been guided by the National Strategy of Prevention and Control of TB in Albania (NSPCTB)2015-2019.

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MOHSP) is the principal recipient of the support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). Scope of this support is to build health system capacities to contain the HIV epidemic at the current low levels and reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality in Albania, as well as contain the TB epidemic at the current low levels and reduce TB-related morbidity and mortality in Albania.

Following an agreement signed between MOHSP and the UN Agencies, UNICEF will provide support in procurement and supply management (PSM) within the GF grant to Albania.

The Law No.105/2014, date 31.07.2014 on medicinal products and pharmaceutical services (amended), regulates the procurement of medicinal products. Ministry of Health and Social Protection as CENTRAL PURCHASING BODY/single contracting authority is responsible for procurement of essential medicines and medical devices on behalf of all the hospitals of the Republic of Albania, using the framework agreements as a strategic procurement practice. 

The Public Procurement Commission is the highest body in the field of procurement, which examines complaints on public procurement procedures in compliance with the requirements established by PPP law. Upon completion of the complaints examination, the Public Procurement Commission takes decisions, which are administratively final.

Public procurement Agency is a central institution responsible in the country for the progress of the public procurement system, public concessions / public partnerships and public auction. An electronic system is used to guarantee a transparent process ensuring an open and unbiased competition. All the documents and reports prepared by APP are public domain.

A new way of the procurement of pharmaceutical products and medical devices has been introduced in 2018. The use of Framework Agreements for open procedures in electronic way at www.app.gov.al/ the purpose of which is to establish the terms governing contracts to be awarded during a given period, in particular with regard to price and, where appropriate, the quantity envisaged, will generally allow the contracting authorities more flexibility around the goods contracted for under the framework, both in terms of volume and also the detail of the relevant goods.

Challenges are related to the harmonization of the national guidelines and protocols with international guidelines and national list of drugs for procurement, lack of electronic forecasting tool for ARVs, the need to improve price control mechanisms.

UNICEF office is supporting the MOHSP to strengthen the procurement and supply management (PSM) within the GF grant to Albania

How can you make a difference?

The aim of this consultancy is to assist the National HIV/AIDS Program, the National TB Program and the MoHSP in conducting an analysis of the national legislation of the procurement methods and practices for health commodities for HIV and TB and contribute to the development of the Supply Chain Master Plan.

The assignment will be conducted by one international consultant in collaboration with UNICEF team, GF PMU and focal points assigned by MOHSP. A national consultant will also be identified by UNICEF and will support the International consultant in this exercise. The international consultant will be required to visit Albania as well as work from his/her/ place of residence. The main tasks and deliverables for the consultant as part of this assignment will be:

• To conduct a desk review and analysis of the national legislation on procurement and intellectual property rights, including procurement methods and practices (if they allow to obtain the best value-for-money in the context of small procurement volumes, patent restrictions, etc.),
• To prepare an analysis of the current procurement system for health commodities including transactional part for TB/HIV (medicines and lab commodities),
• To prepare a SWOT analysis including identification of constraints (e.g. prohibition of pre-payment (procurement of TB medicines from GDF),
• To provide recommendations (also on what could be a solution to overcome the pre-payment constraint), on the design of procurement system for health commodities (pharmaceuticals, health products) and the procurement strategy to increase the cost-effectiveness and the optimization of resource mobilization.

Deliverable 1 - 5 days

• Desk review and proposed methodology for the assessment.

Deliverable 2 - 5 days

• Undertake a mission in Albania to conduct an analysis of the national legislation of the procurement methods and practices for health commodities for HIV and TB.
• Prepare preliminary report for the analysis of the national legislation of the procurement methods and practices for health commodities for HIV and TB HIV.
• In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Albania the consultant will prepare and conduct a meeting to present the results and recommendations, to discuss and agree on the next steps and the action plan. 

Deliverable 3 - 5 days

The following documents to be delivered at the end of the consultancy

• The final consultancy report with the analysis of the national legislation on procurement, its methods and procurement practices, IP rights.
  • National SC Master Plan that has components describing the current situation, problems in PSM, strategies to improve the effectiveness (for example, outsourcing or own procurement, etc.), what should be strengthened/changed. The Master Plan should include a road map for actions on strengthening the current procurement system for health commodities.
  • In close collaboration with UNICEF Country Office and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Albania the consultant will prepare and conduct a meeting to present the results and recommendations, to discuss and agree on the next steps and the action plan. 

The contractor will work from his/her/ country of residence and travel to Albania as described above. The exact dates for starting and ending the contract will be negotiated upon awarding the contract. When in Albania, the consultant will be provided with office space and needed equipment as well as transportation to the cites to conduct field visits and interviews.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• Advanced university degree in either of the following relevant specializations: legal/public health/procurement and supply chain management, business administration, or related disciplines.
• At least 10 years of experience in the domain of regulation and procurement of medicines and medical supplies.
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct work assignments similar to the scope of this TOR
• Excellent technical and analytical writing skills
• Excellent skills in negotiating and working with people
• Fluent in English language

The applicant must submit to the UNICEF Albania office:

• Curriculum Vitae
• A short concept note specifying the methodology to be used by consultant; how the consultant plans to carry out the work foreseen (max 2-3 pages);
• Links to previous work related to scope of this TOR
• Financial proposal - indicating an all-inclusive cost in US$, with a break down into the following categories:

1. Daily fee (all tax inclusive);
2. Travel cost (ticket price and per diem) for country mission trips.

Evaluation Process

Submissions will be evaluated based on cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicant's qualifications and financial proposal. The contract should be awarded to the individual whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be awarded a minimum of 70% of technical evaluation score (49 points) will be considered for the financial evaluation.

In the cumulative analysis evaluation, the respective importance between technical and commercial scores will be waited as 70/30 report.

Technical evaluation - max. 70 points (sub-criteria, total = 100%)

1. Academic Background 30%

Academic background

2. Relevant work experience 40%

Relevance of experience to perform the tasks under the TOR 

3. Concept note with methodology 30%

The proposal should define in broad terms the methodology to be used and the plan of action with the steps to be undertaken for conducting the tasks within the TOR.

Financial criteria - max. 30 points

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

For further question related to the content of TORs please contact Elvana Pernaska at epernaska@unicef.org. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.