Recruitment: New Job Openings at Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

Job Title: Senior Technical Advisor – Regulatory System Strengthening

Job ID: R2783
Location: Abuja
Job Type: Full time

About the project

• About the USAID Medicines, Technologies and Pharmaceutical Systems (MTaPS) program:
• Funded by USAID and implemented by a consortium led by MSH, MTaPS aims to help low- and middle-income countries strengthen their pharmaceutical systems to ensure sustainable access to and appropriate use of safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines and pharmaceutical services. The five-year program builds on the work of its predecessor program, the USAID-funded Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program.
• As a core part of its work, MTaPS supports USAID’s efforts under the Global Health Security Agenda to combat AMR. These efforts are directed toward building countries’ capacity to optimize their use of antimicrobials and avert infectious disease threats, thus securing health nationally and globally.

About this Role

• MSH is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a Senior Technical Advisor- Regulatory System Strengthening (STA RSS) on the global MTaPS activity.
• The STA RSS will develop technical and strategic content as part of the MTaPS’ RSS and communications teams’ efforts to capture, analyse and publicize the program’s technical activity implementation learnings, thought leadership, and project results.
• The STA RSS functions as a technical writer on the RSS team, involved in review of content relating to building capacity and strengthening management systems for medical products regulatory activities including product registration, pharmacovigilance, inspection of pharmacies and distributors of medicines, and post-marketing surveillance.

How Will You Accomplish This?
As the STA RSS you will be expected to carry out the following:

• Develop technical and strategic content as part of the MTaPS’ RSS and communications teams’ efforts to capture, analyse and publicize the program’s technical activity implementation learnings, thought leadership, and project results.
• Provide management support and technical assistance for the design and implementation of country strategies for strengthening regulation of medical devices and other health technologies including the process for granting marketing authorization in line with International Best Practices.
• Play a lead writing role and will work closely with the RSS and communications teams and the broader technical staff on the program to develop knowledge products, articles, presentations, success stories, press releases, op-eds, articles, speeches and talking points, newsletters, website and social media content, and other communications and advocacy products.
• As a technical writer on the RSS team, be involved in review of content relating to building capacity and strengthening management systems for medical products regulatory activities including product registration, pharmacovigilance, inspection of pharmacies and distributors of medical products (medicines, vaccines, medical devices and In-Vitro diagnostics), and post-marketing surveillance.

What Do You Need to Apply?
MSH employs people of passion, we seek those individuals who dream of a better world. We look for professionals who combine experience, local knowledge, and an understanding of international best practices.

Education:

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Health, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Preferred: Advanced Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Health, Health Technology, Communication, or health-related field.

Experience:
Required:

• Ten (10) years of relevant experience in international public health, medicine, pharmacy, biomedical engineering with background in public health or related fields (Bachelor’s degree). Seven (7) years of relevant experience (Postgraduate degree).
• Relevant experience in the regulation of health technological products with a focus on medical devices registration, import/export control, and vigilance of the health technology product or equipment. Considerable experience in the development of standard technical specifications, manuals for medical devices, quality testing references, and assessment of technical files prior to listing.

Preferred:

• Significant experience in regulatory affairs, particularly medical products registration and pharmacovigilance desired.
• Significant experience in international public health with at least five years’ experience related to health systems strengthening, or pharmaceutical management, preferably in work funded by USAID. Experience in public Health programs in low- and middle-income countries in terms of providing technical assistance is desired.
• Experience in the development of training materials and, organizing and implementing training events.
• Experience and knowledge of the registration of medical products as well as work experience with a national regulatory authority.
• Experience in journalism, publishing, media relations, communications, or other related discipline.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A dynamic leader able to meet project goals, convey learnings, entice stakeholder engagement, and be an active contributor to overall project success.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, communication skills, training experience, ability to identify and resolve policy and operational constraints.
• Forward thinking, with demonstrated ability to develop creative and innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with senior government officials and other stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
• Must have the ability to navigate an office environment and pick up materials.

Travel:

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to the US as needed.

Apply Here

Job Title: Senior Technical Advisor – Regulatory System Strengthening

Job ID: R2783
Location: Abuja
Job Type: Full time

About the project

• About the USAID Medicines, Technologies and Pharmaceutical Systems (MTaPS) program:
• Funded by USAID and implemented by a consortium led by MSH, MTaPS aims to help low- and middle-income countries strengthen their pharmaceutical systems to ensure sustainable access to and appropriate use of safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines and pharmaceutical services. The five-year program builds on the work of its predecessor program, the USAID-funded Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program.
• As a core part of its work, MTaPS supports USAID’s efforts under the Global Health Security Agenda to combat AMR. These efforts are directed toward building countries’ capacity to optimize their use of antimicrobials and avert infectious disease threats, thus securing health nationally and globally.

About this Role

• MSH is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a Senior Technical Advisor- Regulatory System Strengthening (STA RSS) on the global MTaPS activity.
• The STA RSS will develop technical and strategic content as part of the MTaPS’ RSS and communications teams’ efforts to capture, analyse and publicize the program’s technical activity implementation learnings, thought leadership, and project results.
• The STA RSS functions as a technical writer on the RSS team, involved in review of content relating to building capacity and strengthening management systems for medical products regulatory activities including product registration, pharmacovigilance, inspection of pharmacies and distributors of medicines, and post-marketing surveillance.

How Will You Accomplish This?
As the STA RSS you will be expected to carry out the following:

• Develop technical and strategic content as part of the MTaPS’ RSS and communications teams’ efforts to capture, analyse and publicize the program’s technical activity implementation learnings, thought leadership, and project results.
• Provide management support and technical assistance for the design and implementation of country strategies for strengthening regulation of medical devices and other health technologies including the process for granting marketing authorization in line with International Best Practices.
• Play a lead writing role and will work closely with the RSS and communications teams and the broader technical staff on the program to develop knowledge products, articles, presentations, success stories, press releases, op-eds, articles, speeches and talking points, newsletters, website and social media content, and other communications and advocacy products.
• As a technical writer on the RSS team, be involved in review of content relating to building capacity and strengthening management systems for medical products regulatory activities including product registration, pharmacovigilance, inspection of pharmacies and distributors of medical products (medicines, vaccines, medical devices and In-Vitro diagnostics), and post-marketing surveillance.

What Do You Need to Apply?
MSH employs people of passion, we seek those individuals who dream of a better world. We look for professionals who combine experience, local knowledge, and an understanding of international best practices.

Education:

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Health, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Preferred: Advanced Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Health, Health Technology, Communication, or health-related field.

Experience:
Required:

• Ten (10) years of relevant experience in international public health, medicine, pharmacy, biomedical engineering with background in public health or related fields (Bachelor’s degree). Seven (7) years of relevant experience (Postgraduate degree).
• Relevant experience in the regulation of health technological products with a focus on medical devices registration, import/export control, and vigilance of the health technology product or equipment. Considerable experience in the development of standard technical specifications, manuals for medical devices, quality testing references, and assessment of technical files prior to listing.

Preferred:

• Significant experience in regulatory affairs, particularly medical products registration and pharmacovigilance desired.
• Significant experience in international public health with at least five years’ experience related to health systems strengthening, or pharmaceutical management, preferably in work funded by USAID. Experience in public Health programs in low- and middle-income countries in terms of providing technical assistance is desired.
• Experience in the development of training materials and, organizing and implementing training events.
• Experience and knowledge of the registration of medical products as well as work experience with a national regulatory authority.
• Experience in journalism, publishing, media relations, communications, or other related discipline.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A dynamic leader able to meet project goals, convey learnings, entice stakeholder engagement, and be an active contributor to overall project success.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, communication skills, training experience, ability to identify and resolve policy and operational constraints.
• Forward thinking, with demonstrated ability to develop creative and innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with senior government officials and other stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
• Must have the ability to navigate an office environment and pick up materials.

Travel:

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to the US as needed.

Apply Here

Job Title: Principal Technical Advisor, Pharmacovigilance

Job ID: R2747
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Job Type: Full time

About the Project

• About the USAID Medicines, Technologies and Pharmaceutical Systems (MTaPS) program: Funded by USAID and implemented by a consortium led by MSH, MTaPS aims to help low- and middle-income countries strengthen their pharmaceutical systems to ensure sustainable access to and appropriate use of safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines and pharmaceutical services.
• The five-year program builds on the work of its predecessor program, the USAID-funded Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program. As a core part of its work, MTaPS supports USAID’s efforts under the Global Health Security Agenda to combat AMR. These efforts are directed toward building countries’ capacity to optimize their use of antimicrobials and avert infectious disease threats, thus securing health nationally and globally.

About this Role

• MSH is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a Principal Technical Advisor, Pharmacovigilance (PTA) on the global MTaPS activity.
• The PTA conceptualizes and leads Field support, core- and regional-funded pharmacovigilance activities and provides technical guidance to countries in the implementation of field-based pharmacovigilance activities, selection of technical strategies, and the development of innovative approaches and programs to strengthen pharmacovigilance as part of the broader regulatory systems strengthening work of USAID MTaPS.
• The PTA-PV leads MTaPS’ collaborative efforts with the World Health Organization (WHO), Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC), and other international partners in the area of PV.
• The PTA guides the development of core, regional, and country-level work plans and activities related to PV to ensure that the work is of the highest technical quality, is consistent with MTaPS approaches and mandate and are based on and informed by country-level needs and priorities.

How Will You Accomplish This?
As the Principal Technical Advisor you will be expected to carry out the following:

• Conceptualize and lead country support, core and regional funded PV activities, and support the development of innovative strategies and programs to strengthen PV as part of the broader regulatory system strengthening work in each country.
• Support countries or regions to review their operational processes, develop long-term institutional development or strategic plans, and support the development and implementation of related action plans to improve pharmacovigilance
• Support countries to prepare and plan for the assessment of their PV systems using the WHO Global Benchmarking tool and support implementation of institutional development plans (IDPs) in collaboration with the WHO.
• Support countries to use relevant electronic tools including Pharmacovigilance monitoring systems (PViMS) and the VigiFlow to manage, analyze and use adverse events data for risk evaluation and regulatory decision making
• Contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of capacity building activities for country or regional teams to strengthen the capacity and improve PV implementation including developing eLearning courses
• Train MTaPS country teams and government counterparts in the use of PViMS for data management, analysis and decision making.
• Develop written technical briefs, peer-reviewed publications, country and global updates on technical issues and/or issues of strategic importance.
• Represent MTaPS on specific internal and external initiatives.

The listed job responsibilities are not exhaustive. The PTA position is an opportunity to be both innovative and strategic in suggesting and implementing new methods to achieve the outcomes desired by our clients and needed by the people our projects aim to serve.

What Do You Need to Apply?

• MSH employs people of passion, we seek those individuals who dream of a better world. We look for professionals who combine experience, local knowledge, and an understanding of international best practices.

Requirements
Education:

• A post-graduate Degree in a health-related field with specialized training and/or experience relating to pharmacovigilance, pharmaceutical management, and regulatory system strengthening required; a physician or pharmacist qualification preferred.

Experience:
Required:

• A minimum of 8 years relevant experience in pharmacovigilance working with a national regulatory authority and/or the pharmaceutical private sector in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa and/or Asia; minimum of 2-3 years resident working in LMICs required.
• Demonstrated experience working with and familiarity with USAID.
• Significant experience in strengthening regulatory systems with particular focus on working with pharmacovigilance systems at regional level.

Preferred:

• Experience in working or collaborating with international agencies such as the UN (WHO preferably) and GFATM preferred.
• Experience working with public health programs and the pharmaceutical private sector will be an added advantage.

Apply Here

Job Title: Nigeria Health Support Consultant

Job Requisition ID: R2746
Location: Abuja
Job Type: Full time

Responsibilities

• Deepen our understanding of Nigeria’s health system performance and progress with health sector reforms with a focus on strengthening health systems and access to and use of integrated, high quality, person-centered family planning, malaria, routine immunization, nutrition, maternal, newborn, and child health services.
• Leverage relationships with key stakeholders, donors, and local organizations across Nigeria and help us understand their strengths, priorities, activities, and interest in collaboration.
• Leverage connections with individuals in Nigeria with an interest in leading/supporting donor-funded activities.
• Support MSH’s efforts to prepare for donor-funded opportunities in Nigeria, including supporting technical design for successful implementation.

This will require:

• Contributing to a written situational analysis/understanding of the health situation in Nigeria.
• Meeting with key stakeholders, donors, and partners throughout Nigeria. This may involve traveling to select states.
• Providing written reports/landscape analysis/meeting notes
• Recommending potential personnel to fill key roles.
• Participating in strategy design sessions as needed
• Contributing written inputs to advance strategy.

Requirements and Competencies
The consultant should have the following requirements and competencies:

• A Postgraduate Degree in Medicine, Public Health, Pharmacy or other related fields.
• A professional experience of at least seven (7) years.
• A good knowledge of Nigeria’s health systems
• Excellent project management capability
• Provide previous consultancy references if possible.

Desired Skills / Attributes:

• Could work in a team and produce quality results within the negotiated timelines.
• Have a sense of contact and interpersonal communication.
• Have skills in facilitating workshops.
• Could write quality reports.
• Have a good command of English language.
• Have a perfect command of computer tools, in particular Windows or Mac and MS-Office environments.

Apply Here

Job Title: Regional Senior, Malaria Technical Advisor

Job Requisition ID: R2629
Location: Nasarawa
Job Type: Full time

Project

• PMI-S is a five-year PMI/USAID flagship malaria project implemented through a consortium led by MSH.
• The project is supporting the Government of Nigeria through its agencies at the federal, state, LGA and community levels to reduce under-five and maternal mortality by delivering quality services for management of malaria, its complications, and prevention.
• PMI-S project focuses on strengthening the capacity of the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) and State Malaria Elimination Programs (SMEPs) for the implementation of the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2014-2020.

Main Purpose of the Job
The RSMTA is a senior level position with two major roles on the project:

• To deputize for the SMTA in provision of technical support and strategic direction to the PMI-S project’s program staff in the 4 states (including the State Malaria Technical Leads (SMTL), the Malaria Case Management/MIP (MC/MIP) Officers, the iCCM technical advisors, and the Private Sector advisors).
• In consultation with the State Coordinator and the SMTL, s/he will provide high level TA to SMEP, SMOH and SPHCDA on malaria case management; surveillance, monitoring and evaluation; and strengthening capacity of SMEP and health systems.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• As a member of the project’s task order management team, participate in the development of PMI-S Project’s approach to implementation of priority technical strategies including but not limited to (i) the Behavioral Economics Prototypes to influence provider behaviors to adhere to national malaria diagnostic and treatment guidelines, (ii) the malaria diagnostic quality assurance system and SOPs (QA/QC), (iii) the data quality assurance systems including data validation and data triangulation, (iv) and integrated support supervision and mentoring systems towards quality malaria case management.
• In collaboration with the SMTA/DCOP, build capacity of the SMTL and state technical staff in the roll out of the PMI-S technical strategic approaches at state, LGA and health facility levels.
• Take responsibility for developing the technical components of Task Order annual and quarterly work plans and reports. S/he will coordinate development of state-specific plans and reports, and then compile them into a single task order work plans and reports
• At state level, guide the project’s State Coordinator, the SMTL and the M&E/HSS officer to have a common vision of PMI-S project work; and equip them with knowledge and skills on effective approaches to building capacity of the SMEP, SMOH and the SPHCDA to provide quality malaria services.
• Collaborate and coordinate with PMI/Nigeria partners – the GHSC-PSM, BA-N and WRAIR; and other partners supporting malaria and health services in the region including WHO, UNICEF, GF, and others to leverage resources for sustainable implementation and funding of malaria services.  S/he will compile, manage and be a member of the regional malaria training team.
• Be a technical resource and facilitator of state coordination forums like the mTWG, ATM, HDCC and others to steer the states towards sustainability. S/he will link with the M&E/HSS and GHCS-PSM to prepare monthly analysis of HMIS, LMIS and laboratory data, and deep-dives into LGAs and Health Facilities for presentation and discussion at these forums to inform decisions.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of the state malaria annual work plans (AOP)
• Work with the Private Sector advisors to engage the private health sector in planning and implementation of malaria services including diagnostic QA/QC, and quality of case management and reporting into the DHIS 2 by the private health facilities.
• In coordination with the Regional Senior Communications Officer and technical staff, contribute to documentation of the project’s technical highlights, abstracts and success stories
• Contribute to the visibility of PMI and USAID investments through innovative presentation of project approaches and results at state, federal and international levels.

Requirements

• A First Degree in a Medicine or health-related field, and a Master’s Degree in Health, Management or related field is required.
• A minimum of 7 years progressive experience managing and implementing public health programs in Nigeria; three years of which at a senior level and two years on a malaria program is required.
• Experience working in at least 2 of the states of the respective task orders and knowledge of the local cultures is necessary.
• NGO experience is an advantage.
• Experience working on donor-funded projects, and understanding of US Government policies and procedures is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated success achieving results in multiple malaria disciplines (e.g., LLIN distribution, malaria prevention, malaria in pregnancy, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and severe malaria).
• Strong communication skill to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.
• Advanced professional proficiency in writing and reading English is required.

Apply Here

Job Title: Operations Intern

Job Identification: R2735
Location: Abuja
Job Schedule: Part time

Job Description

• The Operations intern will support the operations unit in ensuring the smooth operations of logistics by providing clerical support.
• She or he works with the Operations Unit to make hotel and travel arrangements, assist staff in need of support, coordinate the arrangement of materials and equipment as specified in the activity profiles, coordinate the management of the inventory, provide assistance for optimum and efficient operations.
• This position must be aware of and adhere to the MSH Procurement Integrity policy and will assist in safeguarding the assets (financial and physical) of MSH and ultimately donor against fraud, loss, or misuse. In this case s/he will be assisting the PTA in discharging some duties as per instructions.

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree and / or equivalent relevant experience.
• Verbal and written language skills in English required.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative Ability to learn complex program procedures.
• Good communication and inter-personal skills.
• Experience in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• English fluency preferred.

Apply Here

Job Title: Compliance Officer I

Job Identification: R2528
Locations: Abuja
Job Schedule: Full time

Job Description

• The Compliance Officer works in partnership, collaboration, and support with the Director of Finance & Operations and the project senior management team in conducting risk assessments, prioritization, and compliance verification activities work planning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication, proactive problem solving, fostering of teamwork, and professional discipline are required for successful delivery of internal controls and compliance verification and assurance that project activities are achieved, and MSH assets and reputation are safeguarded.
• In coordination with the Director of Internal Audit, s/he will develop a plan and evaluation tools, and then carry out independent appraisals and verifications of the effectiveness of MSH and donor policies, procedures and standards, and applicable Nigeria law, which MSH Nigeria manages financial resources.
• S/he will review and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, reliability of financial reporting, compliance with applicable laws and the safeguarding of assets.
• S/he will plan, perform and report on internal assessments to ensure that financial control, financial guidelines of donor organization and other control procedures are in place and are being properly implemented and managed on the PMI-S Malaria project.
• Successful candidate will also be responsible for advising and monitoring quality standards of operations and value for money.
• The successful candidate will monitor and following-up on recommendations from the internal and external auditors to ensure the recommendations have been implemented and adhered to.
• Under the direction of the Director of Internal Audit (and MSH General Counsel where necessary)and will conduct thoroughly documented investigations of whistleblower cases, and suspected fraud and will directly interface with the Director of Internal Audit on these or other specific cases.

Specific Responsibilities
Compliance / Internal Audit:

• Ensure that all MSH Nigeria and PMI-S Malaria project financial and operational activities are in compliance with Nigeria law (tax laws, CSA laws and government pension agency laws), donor rules and regulations, and MSH policies and standards.
• Develops an annual customized compliance-monitoring plan, including evaluation tools, standards, ethical considerations, and schedule to evaluate all PMI-S Malaria project or remote staff/office locations, and to revisit sites needing extra attention.
• Develops compliance framework for the PMI-S Malaria project; including compliance checklists for the various business processes, transaction classes, country laws governing NGO operations, and specific donor requirements.
• Periodically reviews and updates the compliance-monitoring checklist and other tools to stay current with MSH procedures and policies.
• Examines the effectiveness of internal controls and compliance within MSH Nigeria policy framework, identifies gaps in procedures and controls systems, and provides recommendations to the Country Leadership Team for strengthening them.
• Follows-up on recommendations to ensure they have been implemented and adhered to.
• Tests internal controls, targeting high-risk areas, including workshops, vehicle usage, inventory control and cash advance management, payroll and Fleet Management.
• Documents internal control weaknesses, compliance deviations, and their impact, and makes recommendations to address these weaknesses.
• Identifies gaps in knowledge and skills and provides recommendations for training.
• May be requested to provide training directly to staff.
• Prepares detailed reports of each compliance review and other task assignments, with prioritized findings and recommendations.
• Presents final reports to the MSH Nigeria/PMI-S Country Leadership Team after review and approval from Supervisor.
• When necessary, collaborates with internal and external audit on investigations of whistleblower cases, suspected fraud, mismanagement, loss of assets, etc.
• Follows-up on recommendations from the internal and external auditors to ensure the recommendations have been implemented and adhered to.
• Stays abreast of laws, directives, and current trends in the local legal and NGO environment.
• Provides risk assessment for financial and operational landscape. Identify high risk, high probability events, and provide recommended mitigation plan.   Provide ad hoc risk assessments for specific scenarios by request.
• Provide ad-hoc advice, helping staff to achieve the goal of establishing sound risk management and internal control systems; offer practical advice on how best to comply with financial policy and donor guidelines.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Prepares quarterly audit, investigations, and status of audit recommendations reports for submission to Director Internal Audit and Nigeria Country Representative, if applicable.
• Meets with Project Directors on a regular basis, or as requested by the CR.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Internal Audit.

Required Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Business Management or related area.

Preferred:

• Advanced Degree preferred
• Professional certification in Accounting, Internal Audit, and Fraud Examination
• Required Minimum Expereince

Required:

• Six plus years of experience in compliance, risk management or audit required.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Extensive familiarity of U.S Government grant/contracts rules and regulations (USAID, CDC,) or other donor rules and regulations (E.U) required.
• Experience in international development programs preferred.
• Excellent planning, management, and organizational skills.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skill.
• Professional proficiency in English required.

Apply Here

Job Title: National Action Plan Antimicrobial Resistance Consultant

Job Requisition ID: R2719
Location: Abuja
Job Type: Part time
Number of consultants: One

Background

• The government of Nigeria approved the establishment of Nigeria’s national one-health antimicrobial resistance (AMR) coordinating body at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on November 26, 2016. This was after the WHO’s Joint External Evaluation assessment conducted in June 2016; Nigeria was rated as having limited capacity (level 2 – “limited capacity”) for all indicators in the AMR technical areas.
• Following this, a national AMR Technical Working Group (AMR-TWG) was created that comprised stakeholders from the human health, animal health, food animal production, and environment sectors. The Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Committee (AMRCC) oversees the activities of the national one-health AMR-TWG.
• Nigeria developed her five-year one-health national action plan (NAP) on AMR in 2017 in line with the 2015 world health assembly’s recommendation. This plan includes well-defined strategic objectives for a coordinated AMR response involving human and animal health, the environment, and the agro-food sectors, and has been implemented in the last five years.
• In view of these, the AMRCC with support from WHO and MTaPS, will be engaging a consultant to develop the 2023-2028 One-health national action plan on AMR. This aims to provide a whole of government response to tackle AMR and would require coordinated effort between numerous stakeholders including (but not limited to) international partners, government counterparts as well as regulatory agencies.

Description of Services to be Provided
The consultant will work collaboratively with the NAP 2.0 development committee and AMRCC for proper coordination, timely delivery and ensure all recommendations from the NAP 1.0 review reports and considerations from the Muscat Declaration and supports Nigeria towards achieving the AMR specific SDG targets are captured, with utmost consideration to the five NAP focus areas listed below:

• To improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance
• To strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research
• To reduce the incidence of infection
• To optimize the use of antimicrobial agents; and
• Develop the economic case for sustainable investment that takes account of the needs of the country, and increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines, and other interventions.

Specific Objectives / Tasks

• Understudy the NAP 1.0 review report and other relevant documents and instruments and come up realistic national action points.
• Develop and present a concept with a clear work plan to the NAP 2.0 development committee.
• Conduct a desk review and SWOT analysis of the existing AMR documents.
• Develop a zero draft of NAP 2.0.
• Facilitate stakeholder workshops to further develop the zero draft.
• Finalize the draft with input and submit the final version to AMRCC.

Develop a Methodology

• The consultant shall develop a draft methodology using the WHO NAP development guidelines which will be validated by the NAP development committee and AMRCC.
• This should reflect all necessary steps in alignment with best practices as appropriate to accomplish drafting of new national action plan.
• The consultant will equally propose a detailed timetable clearly indicating the different stages of the process as well as the dates for submitting the deliverables.
• The validation of the methodology will mark the effective start of this assignment.

Supervision and Reporting Responsibility

• The consultant will be supervised by, and report to Kabir Abdullahi at MTaPS Nigeria. The consultant will liaise with the Seydou Doumbia, other country team members and will work in collaboration with the NAP 2.0 development committee and the AMR CC chair at NCDC.

Consultant’s Duty Station

• The consultant will be based in his/her primary location in Nigeria. Any travels must fall within the work plan (meetings and workshops) and would require prior approval by the NAP development committee. The consultant is also expected to have his/her own workspace and IT equipment to carry out this task.

Preparation and Facilitation of Review Workshop(s)

• As part of the preparation for the NAP 2.0 development workshop(s), the consultant will develop and propose to the committee secretariat, the TORs, agenda, indicative list of participants and presentations for validation. All tools and lists will be validated by the NAP development committee before any workshop(s).

Consultant Qualification Requirements
The consultant should have the following requirements and competencies:

• A Postgraduate Degree in Public Health, Health Economics, Animal Health, Environmental Health or PhD in Public Health, Health Economics, Animal Health, Environmental Health or other related fields.
• A professional experience of at least seven (7) years.
• Have a good knowledge of the field (actors involved in the AMR space).
• Demonstrate a good knowledge of the “One Health” approach to tackling AMR
• Experience with the development of National Action Plans on AMR that meets and adheres to the objectives of the global action plan on AMR.
• A good knowledge of Nigeria’s systems in human health, animal health and environmental statutory bodies would be an added advantage.
• Excellent project management capability
• Provide previous consultancy references if possible.

Desired Skills / Attributes:

• Could work in a team and produce quality results within the negotiated timelines.
• Have a sense of contact and interpersonal communication.
• Have skills in facilitating workshops.
• Could write quality reports.
• Have a good command of English language.
• Have a perfect command of computer tools, in particular Windows or Mac and MS-Office environments.

Apply Here

Job Title: NAP Antimicrobial Resistance Development Consultant

Job Requisition ID: R2722
Location: Abuja
Job Type: Part time
Number of consultants: One

Background

• The government of Nigeria approved the establishment of Nigeria’s national one-health antimicrobial resistance (AMR) coordinating body at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on November 26, 2016. This was after the WHO’s Joint External Evaluation assessment conducted in June 2016; Nigeria was rated as having limited capacity (level 2 – “limited capacity”) for all indicators in the AMR technical areas.
• Following this, a national AMR Technical Working Group (AMR-TWG) was created that comprised stakeholders from the human health, animal health, food animal production, and environment sectors. The Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Committee (AMRCC) oversees the activities of the national one-health AMR-TWG.
• Nigeria developed her five-year one-health national action plan (NAP) on AMR in 2017 in line with the 2015 world health assembly’s recommendation. This plan includes well-defined strategic objectives for a coordinated AMR response involving human and animal health, the environment, and the agro-food sectors, and has been implemented in the last five years.
• In view of these, the AMRCC with support from WHO and MTaPS, will be engaging a consultant to develop the 2023-2028 One-health national action plan on AMR. This aims to provide a whole of government response to tackle AMR and would require coordinated effort between numerous stakeholders including (but not limited to) international partners, government counterparts as well as regulatory agencies.

Description of Services to be Provided
The consultant will work collaboratively with the NAP 2.0 development committee and AMRCC for proper coordination, timely delivery and ensure all recommendations from the NAP 1.0 review reports and considerations from the Muscat Declaration and supports Nigeria towards achieving the AMR specific SDG targets are captured, with utmost consideration to the five NAP focus areas listed below:

• To improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance
• To strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research
• To reduce the incidence of infection
• To optimize the use of antimicrobial agents; and
• Develop the economic case for sustainable investment that takes account of the needs of the country, and increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines, and other interventions.

Specific objectives / Tasks

• Understudy the NAP 1.0 review report and other relevant documents and instruments and come up realistic national action points.
• Develop and present a concept with a clear work plan to the NAP 2.0 development committee.
• Conduct a desk review and SWOT analysis of the existing AMR documents.
• Develop a zero draft of NAP 2.0.
• Facilitate stakeholder workshops to further develop the zero draft.
• Finalize the draft with input and submit the final version to AMRCC.

Develop a Methodology

• The consultant shall develop a draft methodology using the WHO NAP development guidelines which will be validated by the NAP development committee and AMRCC. This should reflect all necessary steps in alignment with best practices as appropriate to accomplish drafting of new national action plan. The consultant will equally propose a detailed timetable clearly indicating the different stages of the process as well as the dates for submitting the deliverables. The validation of the methodology will mark the effective start of this assignment.
• Consultant’s duty station: The consultant will be based in his/her primary location in Nigeria. Any travels must fall within the work plan (meetings and workshops) and would require prior approval by the NAP development committee. The consultant is also expected to have his/her own workspace and IT equipment to carry out this task.

Preparation and Facilitation of Review Workshop(s)

• As part of the preparation for the NAP 2.0 development workshop(s), the consultant will develop and propose to the committee secretariat, the TORs, agenda, indicative list of participants and presentations for validation. All tools and lists will be validated by the NAP development committee before any workshop(s).

Supervision and Reporting Responsibility:

• The reporting line on all technical details is to the NAP 2.0 development committee and the AMR CC chair at NCDC while the administrative management of the consultancy will be carried out by MTaPS.

Consultant Qualification Requirements
The consultant should have the following requirements and competencies:

• A Postgraduate Degree in Public Health, Health Economics, Animal Health, Environmental Health or PhD in Public Health, Health Economics, Animal Health, Environmental Health or other related fields.
• A professional experience of at least seven (7) years.
• Have a good knowledge of the field (actors involved in the AMR space).
• Demonstrate a good knowledge of the “One Health” approach to tackling AMR
• Experience with the development of National Action Plans on AMR that meets and adheres to the objectives of the global action plan on AMR.
• A good knowledge of Nigeria’s systems in human health, animal health and environmental statutory bodies would be an added advantage.
• Excellent project management capability
• Provide previous consultancy references if possible.

Desired Skills / Attributes:

• Could work in a team and produce quality results within the negotiated timelines.
• Have a sense of contact and interpersonal communication.
• Have skills in facilitating workshops.
• Could write quality reports.
• Have a good command of English language.
• Have a perfect command of computer tools, in particular Windows or Mac and MS-Office environments.

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