The Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Short Term Consultant to Evaluate DRF Operation in Nigeria
Job ID: 13-10947 Location: Abuja
Grade: Consultant
Group / Office: PDG (Program Delivery Group)
Dept / Unit: PDGGEN - Program Delivery Group
Project / Program: A607 - Nigeria Global Fund RSSH
Reports To: Director PSM
Overview The DRF mechanism within Bamako initiative was adopted as the initial approach for sustainable financing of drug supply at the local level. Drug revolving fund is a concept that should promote access, ensure availability and affordability of drugs in public health facilities. It guarantees the sustainability of drug supplies and services. Its scheme focus is to ensure the sustainability and continuity of the essential drugs program. However, the current realities in Nigeria since implementation are still far from the ideal due toa number of reasons:
Decrease use of access and equity
Unreliable pharmaceutical supply
Accountability and rational use of medicines still a challenge
Poor management,
Misapplication of Fund
Purchasing of drugs at exorbitant prices
Lumping of the proceeds of the Fund into a general account, and
Non-reimbursement of the cost of drugs for exempted patients
Inadequate planning
Inefficient monitoring & supervision
Poor inventory management practices
Sub-optimal political will etc.
The PSM component of the Global Fund Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) under MSH being implemented by National Product Supply Chain Management Programme (NPSCMP) therefore seeks to secure the services of a DRF Consultant to conduct an appraisal of the current practice in Drug Revolving Fund in Nigeria with a view to developing a prototype that will be efficient and sustainable for scale up across the states in Nigeria, leveraging on the SWOT analysis of the current situation. DRF Consultant will support the on- going effort to strengthen and reposition the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) in Nigeria.
Specific Responsibilities
To evaluate DRF operation in Nigeria factoring the history and the current practices with a view to identify gaps, weaknesses and strengths to pave way for effective and efficient management that will reposition the scheme for sustainable drugs supply in Public health institutions in Nigeria.
He / she is expected to travel extensively within Nigeria and engage with relevant stakeholders.
He / she will assess various DRF structures and operations in different states and do a thorough appraisal and analysis of the current situation.
The above will end with a presentation to stakeholders and preparation of a blue print document for the intended purpose. This document should clearly demonstrate the operationalization of the following factoring economic and socio-political structures in Nigeria:
Situation analysis
Reliability supply of low-cost and effective essential medicines, locally appropriate fee schedules,
Protection mechanisms to ensure equitable access
Continued or increasing levels of government funding for health
Business like orientation to personnel,
Finance management (effective and transparent fund management) and supply management
Strict measures to ensure accountability
Product selection
Quantification, Procurement, warehousing & distribution
Price setting
Determination of exemption policies
Audit and financial oversight
Local representation and oversight
Capital & investment opportunities
Required human resource and appropriate training and capacity building
Use of appropriate devices and technology
Measures for sustainability & ownership
Quality Assurance of Strategic Supplies
Roles of head of hospital Pharmacy and Composition of DRF committee
Implementation method: in phases or through a well-conceived pilot approach etc.
The Consultant may also assume any other duty that may be assigned by the Director, Supply Chain Management.
Qualifications and Experience
A minimum of a University degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, B. Pharm, Pharm D.
A Master Degree in Public Health, Health Economics or Management
Fellowship of the West African Post Graduate College of Pharmacists is an added advantage.
A minimum of fifteen (15) years cognate experience in public and private sector health organizations is highly desirable
Significant experience in establishing DRF schemes OR significant experience in operating, managing and evaluating DRF schemes in Nigeria or other Sub-Saharan African countries
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional level experience in health logistics, hospital Pharmacy practice, Medication Management
Expert knowledge of the major issues affecting health products supply chain management and financing in Nigerian
Good experience in strategic planning, operations management, organizational and change management, policy formulation and development are required
Good understanding of Bamako initiative
Demonstrated experience in working with government partners and other stakeholders in public sector development programs
In-depth knowledge of Nigeria health system with emphasis on her public health and supply chain systems; Essential Medicines Management, National drug policy etc.
Rich background in health economics/Pharmacoeconomics
Sound knowledge of Nigeria drug market and Public procurement policy
Experience in public health coordination, leadership, governance, Innovation and research
Competent in Logistics System design
Experience of working effectively within a matrix management/ project management environment
Experience in the development of national tools and documents
Experience of working on donor funded projects- Global Fund, PEPFAR etc