UNDP Jobs Tanzania National Consultancy for Drafting of Tanzania’s National Pharmaceutical Industry

Job description

Background

The United Republic of Tanzania developed a substantial industrial structure largely owned by the public sector and operated by state owned enterprises under the Basic Needs Industrial Strategy (1972 to 1990). Investment was prioritized in seven subsectors: food and beverage, textiles, building materials, metal and engineering, wood and paper, chemicals, rubber and pharmaceuticals and the automotive industry.

Investment in the pharmaceuticals industry took off with the establishment of four firms: Mansoor Daya Chemicals established in 1962; Keko Pharmaceutical Industries (KPI) and Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries (TPI) established in 1968 and 1978 respectively through public sector investments operated by State Owned Enterprises and subsequently privatized during the 1990s. KPI and TPI respectively accounted for 17.5 percent and 15.3 percent of domestic production by 2012 while Mansoor Daya accounted for 3 – 4 percent. A fourth firm, Shelly’s Pharmaceuticals was established in 1979, subsequently acquired by Aspen Group of South Africa in 2008.

Of the four companies, only Shelly’s exports a substantial proportion amounting to 19% of its total production (2008/2009 data). Two other manufacturing facilities established later i.e. Zenufa Laboratories and A.A. Pharmaceuticals have remained operational while three others, including Interchem Pharma and Tanzansino, closed operations in 2012 on account of lack of capacity to comply with Good Manufacturing (GMP) standards.

Inspite of the industry’s existence for a considerable period of time, its performance remains unsatisfactory. “It manufactures a relatively small list of simple formulations such as antibiotics, cough and cold preparations, analgesics, sedatives, supplements, antimalarials … It does not produce intravenous fluids, injectables or more technological sophisticated formulation. By 2012 thirty two percent (32%) of national requirements were procured from these domestic manufacturers. The proportion of domestic procurement to national supply has since declined to less than twenty percent (20%). Only one manufacturer, Zenufa Laboratories has achieved compliance to WHO GMP requirements and was to be certified by TFDA in 2016. Non-compliance with GMP combined with a host of policy and investment related weaknesses have undermined the sustainability of the industry in Tanzania.

Meanwhile, Tanzania is missing out on several opportunities emerging from international policy space, regional market access and growing domestic demand. The international policy related opportunities include potential use of the TRIPS flexibilities in particular the manufacturing of generic medicines for HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The regional market access opportunities include potential for regional supply under regional industrialization strategies in the EAC and SADC. The domestic market exceeded USD 140 million by 2016 through increasing domestic demand for essential medicines. Tanzania is also missing out on opportunities for R & D and innovation based on a large national endowment of medicinal plants and reservoir of traditional knowledge that can support investment in R & D as well as innovation.[2] The Access and Delivery Partnership (ADP) and its support to the current strategy open a new window for addressing the prevailing challenge and stimulate the modernization and growth of the industry.

The strategy will encourage multi-sectoral approach towards promotion of domestic pharmaceutical industries to meet 60% of the set demand for medicines in terms of market value by the year 2022. Furthermore, the strategy seeks to supporting the achievement of the National Vision 2025 goal of building a middle-income economy through targeted implementation of the Second Five Year Development Plan (2016-2020) which aims at “Nurturing Industrialization for Economic Transformation and Human Development”.

More Specific Objectives Are

Creating public awareness on the existing opportunity under the WTO-TRIPS Agreement of manufacturing and utilizing affordable generic medicines for HIV, TB, Malaria and other NTDs;
Stimulate whole of government and multiple stakeholders work together to address policy and regulatory challenges that contribute to the inability of the sector to contribute to the objective of ensuring low cost access to medicines in the medium and longer-term and reduce dependence on imported medicines financed through aid and grants;
Identifying current demand and industrial capacity for manufacturing medicines and strategies for addressing challenges leading to capacity underutilization culminating in industry stagnation and decline i.e. Identify and address supply side constraints including regulatory frameworks impeding manufacturing and supplying medicines.

Duties And Responsibilities

Conduct data collection, including stakeholder consultations, as requested by the lead international consultant at the national level with key partners such as relevant ministries, departments, organizations, civil society organizations etc. to identify key entry points as well as potential areas of collaboration, co-financing and partnership;
Liaise with key government and local industry stakeholders and support field data collection, including consultations with key stakeholders and collecting price/cost data from MSD and local manufacturers, as requested by lead consultant
In collaboration with other consultants, MITI and UNDP, conduct a national stakeholder consultation to validate and disseminate findings of the assessment and roadmap/strategy
Develop the inception report and prepare draft strategy by consolidating of all inputs into relevant sections and annexes of the national strategy.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favouritism
Effective communication skills and ability to establish good working relationships.
Innovative, solution oriented, and a positive attitude required

Technical Competencies

Computer literacy and knowledge of standard PC software packages (MS. Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.);
Project management skills;
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
Strong oral and written communication skills;
Ability to plan and organize work;
Personal time management;
Excellent interpersonal and public relations skills;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Professionalism

Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment;
Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;

Planning And Organizing

Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships.
Plans, coordinates and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines.
Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to achieve the planned results.

Academic Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Master’s Degree in Pharmacy, Procurement, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Political science, Social Sciences or related fields.

Experience

At least 5 years of experience in project management and project design preferably from East Africa;
Strong experience in design and formulation of strategies;
Experience in developing policies and strategies related pharmaceutical production;
Work experience in the Region (EAC), particularly in Tanzania is an added advantage;
Excellent analytical and reporting skills;

Language Requirements

Excellent command of English (oral and written) is required;
Fluency in Swahili.

How To Submit Proposals

Proposals should be submitted to icprocurement.tz@undp.org e-mail address not later than Friday, 24 November 2017 at 13:00 am (EAT);
Applications with no financial offer or missing P11 form and CV or the required documents for the technical evaluation will not be considered for evaluation;
All necessary information for this post (TOR, Deliverables, Target dates, etc. are presented in the ICPN) therefore applicant must download it from the following link:

http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=42254

Each email should be less than 8MB; emails over this size will not be received to the above-mentioned account;

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to the e-mail address tenders.tz@undp.org.

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.

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