Reference N° 2021/NCD/MND/6
Contract duration: 4.5 months
Work effort: Full time
Closing date/Time for applications: Sun, 2 May 2021, 21h00 (Central European Time)
1. Purpose of the Consultancy
The aim of this contract is to support WHO programmes of work related to WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) and related to access to cancer medicines, as per below.
WHO, working with partners, is accelerating support to increase access to cancer medicines, in line with the approach used by WHO to improve access to health products in the noncommunicable disease agenda.[1] Access to cancer products is a core aspect of the mandate given to WHO in accordance with World Health Assembly Resolution 70.12 (2017) on cancer control.
- This APW is to support WHO cancer team to assess the current market for childhood cancer medicines, to dialogue with the private sector to understand current and potential contributions and to dialogue with public and private actors in supply chain management on potential innovations and to participate in other related dialogues, as needed.
[1] Dialogue with the private sector on medicines and technologies for diabetes care, February 2021. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/02/23/default-calendar/dialogue-with-the-private-sector-on-medicines-and-technologies-for-diabetes-care-february-2021
2. Background
The global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is significant and growing. NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. Each year, 15 million people die from a NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; over 85% of these "premature" deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes NCDs as a major challenge for sustainable development. As part of the Agenda, Heads of State and Government committed to develop ambitious national responses, by 2030, to reduce by one-third premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment (SDG target 3.4). This target comes from the High-level Meetings of the UN General Assembly on NCDs in 2011, 2014 and 2018. To achieve this target, Member States are encouraged to implement a set of priority interventions (also known as “best buys”) and to include access to cancer products.
WHO was given the mandate to improve access to cancer medicines and to support the development of effective and affordable new cancer medicines (World Health Assembly resolution 70.12, operational paragraph 2.5). To deliver on this mandate, WHO cancer programme has developed workstreams to support access to cancer medicines and other health products. An integrate approach to access to cancer and other NCD medicines can support the implementation of WHO initiatives in cancer and will support strategic investments towards the achievement of universal health coverage and other targets related to Sustainable Development Goal #3.
3. Deliverables and Schedule of payment
The service provider will be expected to work closely with other WHO teams (especially other teams working in NCDs and access to medicines) as well as external partners as appropriate.
Monthly payments will be made.
Deliverable |
Output 1: Lead and facilitate dialogue with private sector companies involved in cancer to assess current products available and in the research pipeline, to understand current access programmes and approaches used to support supply chain security and the traceability of product Activity 1.1: Dialogue with private sector pharmaceutical companies regarding current activities in cancer Activity 1.2: Describe, as appropriate, any current or future access initiatives from pharmaceutical companies contributing to access to cancer medicines Activity 1.3: Identify best practice and current innovations available to support supply chain security |
Output 2: Participate in dialogue with Member States to understand current needs in accessing cancer medicines Activity 2.1: Report on current needs of Ministries of Health as well as entities responsible for procurement of medicines in country |
Output 3. Support dialogue with UN organization and UN-associated initiatives to identify opportunities for alignment and collaboration Activity 3.1: Dialogue with relevant UN entities and develop set of recommendations Activity 3.2: Mapping of normative guidance including safe handling and disposal of chemotherapy
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Output 4. Present key findings and recommendations to WHO and partners, as appropriate Activity 4.1: Participate in monthly meetings and present to WHO and strategic partners Activity 4.2: Draft Terms of Reference to be used in future related work including engagement with procurement agencies
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4. Specific requirements
Qualifications required:
* Essential
University degree with post-graduate qualifications in pharmacy, public health, business, medicine or other field related to health products
Desirable
Public health or epidemiology qualifications
Experience required:
* Essential
At least ten years' experience working in the area of access to medicines;
Prior experience analysing market factors or supporting access to cancer medicines
Desirable
Experience in country support with modelling or programme implementation, preferably in low- or middle-income country settings;
Experience working with international organisations;
Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
Knowledge of public health approach and scientific writing
Data interpretation and visualization
Communication skills
Language requirements:
English - Expert (Read - Write – Speak)
Other UN languages favourable
5. Place of assignment
All work under this consultancy will be home-based and carried out at the consultant’s usual place of residence.
6. Travel
No travel expected.
7. Duration and Remuneration
(exclusive of per diem, travel costs or other expenses)
The service provider will be remunerated at a rate that is commensurate with his/her experience and based on the UN common salary scale.
The expected start date is 10 May 2021 (or as soon as reasonably possible after that).
Start date: 10/05/2021 End date: 25/09/2021
8. Conditions
We will close the application on Sun, 2 May 2021 at 21h00 (Central European Time); thus, only applications received before that will be considered.
Kindly send your CV to the following e-mail address naritas@who.int.