JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Consultant - Improving Access, Innovation and Export of Health
Technology in Pakistan.
REPORTS TO: GHSC-PSM Country Director, Healthcare Technologies & PSE Advisor.
PROJECTS: USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program-Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project, Pakistan.
LOCATION: Islamabad.
USAID has been providing contraceptives supply chain systems strengthening support, since, 2009. The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project’s assistance has been instrumental in concretizing Task Force recommendations on FP commodity security. One of the areas under section 7 of FP commodity security is incentivizing the local industry for indigenous production of contraceptives. The contraceptive method mix comprises of both short- and long-term methods. Pakistan is self-sufficient in terms of manufacturing of oral contraceptive pills and 3-month injection, however, implants, intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD), and condoms are not being produced locally. The project is providing technical assistance to the MoNHSR&C to create opportunities for local contraceptive production and transfer of technology through private sector engagement.
Background
As the sixth largest internal market in the world, Pakistan is not anywhere near its potential in the health technology1 industry. There is no cogent and comprehensive national strategy in the country for health technology research, development, innovation, production and export. There is also a lack of a systematic local needs assessment for health technology and R&D, intellectual property regime, academia and industry, as they are all currently disconnected. Pakistan should create a dynamic knowledge-economy in this area, but instead the country is losing huge opportunities for industrial development and commercial/export opportunities. Pakistan imports commonly used medical devices and diagnostic kits with attendant loss of foreign exchange and access issues. The stark reality became obvious during the COVID-19 outbreak, when even basic personal protection equipment (PPE), ventilators and diagnostic kits had to be imported at a high cost in a high-demand, global environment. The health technology sector in Pakistan has not extended beyond pharmaceuticals, which has also not diversified to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients and biological, preventive and therapeutic products.
Objective of the Consultancy
The objective of this consultancy is to assist the Government of Pakistan through the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and other related ministries2 to develop the first-ever National Strategy for Health Technology Sector Development with the aim to adequately meet national needs and harness export potential. Adoption and effective implementation of such a policy in the long-term would inevitably contribute to the establishment of a knowledgeeconomy in Pakistan, with the integration of related human resource, R&D and innovation, entrepreneurship, investment and commerce policies.
Scope of Work and Expected Outputs
- Assist the lead consultant in all activities related to the project.
- Help conduct a situational analysis of the health technology sector in Pakistan through literature reviews.
- Mapping of health technology, in terms of local production and import, required to accompany the delivery of essential health services in accordance with National Essential Health Services Package recently launched by the Federal Ministry of National Health Service, Regulation and Coordination as part of the vision to advance Universal Health Coverage.
- Mapping of public and private sector stakeholders in local production of health technology with priority assigned to National Essential Health Services Package. (NEHSP)
- Assist in the development an incentive package for interested private sector to undertake local production of priority health technology in the country.
- Undertake a review of Higher Education Commission Policies and synthesize policy recommendations for linking universities with health technology R&D.
- Shortlist health technologies for which Joint Ventures (JVs) can be established with multinational companies for local production.
- Aid in developing workshop materials for a national workshop with key stakeholders to discuss the draft National Strategy for Health Technology Sector Development report.
Required Skills and Qualifications
The academic qualifications/skills set listed below are representative of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the principal duties.
- Master’s degree in any discipline of Social Sciences or Public Health or Bio medcial engineers or Pharmaceutical Management.
- Minimum of (2-5) years of experience in public or private/development sector organizations.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
- Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.
Period of Performance and LOE
The expected duration of the assignment is four (04) months with a total LOE (Level of Effort) of 80 days. This is distributed as maximum of 20 working days per month.
Supervision
The consultant will report directly to the Country Director and Healthcare Technologies & PSE Advisor.