Consultant for Development of TB Medicine management guidelines

UNDP within the project Strengthening of DOTS Strategy and Improving National Tuberculosis Programme, Including Multidrug Resistant and Infection Control, in Bosnia and Herzegovina is seeking to recruit consultant in charge for development of TB medicine management guidelines to ensure appropriate management of TB drugs, both first and second line TB drugs. TB Medicine management guidelines should be developed on the basis of the best practices recommended by relevant WHO documents and EU as well and incorporate four basic functions of TB pharmaceutical management: selection, procurement, distribution, and use; the functions build on each other, forming a pharmaceutical management cycle. Furthermore, developed guideline has to take into consideration existing laws, policies and procedures related to medicines. TB Medicine management guidelines should include topics such as organization, financing, information flow, training, human resource management and product quality assurance including policy and legal framework establishing and supporting commitment to fighting TB. Developed TB Medicine management guidelines will be incorporated into National Tuberculoses Plan (NTP) of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and National Tuberculoses Plan (NTP) of the Republika Srpska. To that end, the consultant will be tasked to take into consideration existing structures and capacities and develop the TB Medicine management guidelines for comprehensive Tuberculoses Control in BiH. The consultant will be responsible for harmonization and adaptation of guidelines according to existing specific structures of TB drug management. During preparation, consultant should consult representatives of Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, relevant Agencies and health institutions including hospitals, TB laboratories, PHC settings, and other relevant stakeholders, based on recommendation of ministry representatives. It is expected close coordination and communication with TB project team. UNDP continues to provide support to the health system in Bosnia and Herzegovina in strengthening DOTS strategy and improving NTPs, including multidrug resistance and infection control. With his/her professional experience the consultant will develop TB Medicine management guidelines in accordance with existing plans and strategies of Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska and Federal Ministry of Health . The consultant’s engagement will support comprehensive development of NTPs. The successful completion of the task will assist relevant authorities in further planning of activities in this area, as well as budgeting and monitoring and evaluation. Consultant is responsible for organization of meetings, travel within BiH.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP acts as Primary Recipient of the project “Strengthening of DOTS Strategy and Improving National Tuberculosis Programme, Including Multidrug Resistant and Infection Control, in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, funded by The Global Fund to Fighth AIDS, Tuberculoses and Malaria. This project is continuation and further development of ongoing activities initiated under Round 6 TB project and is also aligned with general objectives of strengthening the governance and co-ordination of health systems in BIH, and in support to systems’ orientation and focus towards ongoing primary health care/family medicine development and reform efforts in BIH. Implementation of this project will contribute in improvement of access and efficiency of respiratory health care services in Primary Health Care settings in BIH through implementation of Practical Approach to Lung Health (PAL) strategy (as a pilot project), strengthening and extending the DOTS+ pilot project of MDR-TB case management as well as ensuring and maintaining access to TB program for vulnerable groups with spatial attention to Roma and other vulnerable populations. Job Summary: Scope of work: The consultant will closely cooperate with UNDP TB team and representatives of Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, as well as members of NTP units. Specifically, the local consultant will perform following tasks: Contacts representatives of the National Tuberculoses Programmes of RS and FBiH, above mentioned Ministries of Health and stakeholders involved in comprehensive TB control and identify core contacts group Review task-relevant international documents and guidelines, taking into consideration range of reports on TB drug management provided by different international organizations and bodies Review the existing practices and systems, as well as relevant policies and procedures in FBiH and RS with regard to TB Medicine management Developed Work plan incorporating approach to be used to accomplish the task with clear description of the role of consultant followed by consensus of all relevant stakeholders. Prepare draft TB Medicine management guidelines and submit to beneficiaries for comments Develop Final TB Medicine management guidelines in line with all comments and recommendations provided by stakeholders involved in comprehensive TB control. Deliverables and timelines The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables: Deliverables (outputs) Deadline Initial contacts with representatives of the National Tuberculoses Programmes of RS and FBiH, Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska and stakeholders involved in comprehensive TB control Mid of January 2012 Identification of the core contacts group with representatives of the National Tuberculosis Programmes of RS and FBiH, Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, referent TB laboratories and stakeholders involved in comprehensive TB control. Mid of February 2012 Review of existing practices and systems, as well as relevant policies and procedures in FBiH and RS with regard to TB Medicine management, taking into consideration range of reports on TB drug management provided by different international organizations and bodies. Mid of March 2012 Work plan developed incorporating approach to be used to accomplish the task with clear description of the role of International Consultant followed by consensus of all relevant stakeholders Mid of April 2012 Preparation of draft TB Medicine management guidelines and submission to beneficiaries for comments Mid of May 2012 Development of Final TB Medicine management guidelines in line with all comments and recommendations provided by stakeholders involved in comprehensive TB control. End of May 2012

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork: Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time; Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually; Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others; Generates ideas and seizes opportunities to support corporate strategic objectives. People Skills: Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds; Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others; Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent and credible behavior; Respects individual/cultural /gender differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork; Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process. Partnering and Networking: Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies; Ability to work as a member of a team as well as work autonomously. Results-Orientation: Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals; Communication: Technical writing skills, formulates written information clearly and persuasively; Strong communication skills; Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences; Presents information in a clear and articulate manner. Job Knowledge and Expertise: Strong analytical skills; Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements; Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently; Initiative and sound judgment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced degree in Medicine or Pharmacy Experience: At least 10 years of experience in the field Medicine management with proven experience of at least 5 years in tuberculoses drug management; Proven analytical skills; Proven experience in Tuberculoses and health related topics; References and publications on topics relevant for consultant's tasks would be considered as an additional asset. Excellent knowledge of issues related to health; Previous international experience in tuberculoses segments and document reviews Knowledge of national health system structure Language Requirements: Proficiency in English language, Local language would be considered as an additional asset. Award Criteria: The award will be based on the: Highest qualified candidate; meaning the candidate obtaining the highest score. Applicants are required to submit an application including: Letter of interest/ Proposal; - Explaining why do you consider yourself the most suitable for the work

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Consultant for Development of TB Medicine management guidelines