International consultant for updating regulation of the national health system

1. Area of expertise: Management of health products and/or health regulations Specialist for updating the the National Program of Essential Medicines 2. Purpose of consultancy: Support to the Ministry of Health of Angola for updating the National Program of Essential Medicines

3. Background

WHO supports countries to strengthen health systems to achieve Universal Health Coverage and the 2030 SDGs. Within the framework of action for strengthening Health Systems, health regulatory systems play a key role in facilitating the efficient, effective, and appropriate use of health products to attain the desired health results.

Health products relate to external products that are used/consumed by people, due to their health benefits. They include medicines, traditional products, vaccines, assistive technologies, products of human origin (blood, organs), devices, and/or combinations of these. The regulation of their use is crucial within the health sector as they are easily abused.

Regulatory systems for medicines and other health products promote and protect public health by guaranteeing access of the population to these inputs are not hindered by inefficient regulatory processes, and they are of appropriate quality, safety, and efficacy. Developing a strong national regulatory system for medicines and other health products is therefore a core component of building the national health system. It should encompass regulations that address (1) production/manufacturing, (2) purchase, (3) storage, (4) distribution, and (5) rational use of medicines and other health products.

The Government of Angola, through the Ministry of Health of Angola (MINSA) has been undertaking reforms in the management of medicines and health products. As a result, the Regulatory Agency for Medicines and Health Technologies (ARMED) was set up in 2021 as the entity responsible for regulatory, licensing, and supervisory actions regarding medicines for human use and health technologies. The National Program of Essential Medicines (NPEM) remains responsible for the overall policy, oversight, and coordination of medicines and other health products. The health sector is however lacking guidance on this overall oversight, regulation, and coordination function will be carried out.

In this context, WHO is seeking an international Consultant to support the review, and made proposals on the overall oversight, regulation, and coordination of the medicines and other health products in Angola.

4. Deliverables

1. An inception plan detailing how the review process will be conducted, in line with WHO guidance on overall oversight, regulation, and coordination of medicines and other health products

2.Report on the review process, including:

coordination meetings held with needed key informants to collate needed information

status of the processes for (1) production/manufacturing, (2) purchase, (3) storage, (4) distribution, (5) rational use. For each process, documentation of the current processes, gaps, and recommendations shall be presented.

3.Analysis of :

how well each regulatory process is aligned with national, regional, and global priorities

required structures and processes for regulations of medicines and health products

Mechanisms for alignment between ARMED and the NPEM

4.Report on the focus for the NMEP, covering the overall objectives of the national medicines regulation system, targets, and milestones for each of the processes involved in medicines regulation, needed organizational arrangements and means of progress verification

5. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Master's degree in Public Health, medicines/health products management, and/or health regulations

Desirable: Basic training in health sciences or social sciences

Experience

Essential: Minimum of Seven years of work experience in the field of regulation of medicines and/or health products

Desirable: Experience working in the health sector at the national and/or sub-national level.

Knowledge of the National Health System in Angola or other Portuguese-speaking countries.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

Commitment to WHO's values and objectives

Ability to work flexibly within short deadlines in a changing environment with competing priorities

Share a results-oriented work ethic

Fostering integration and teamwork

Ability to create an empowering and motivating environment

Ability to communicate with respect, tact, and diplomacy

Thorough knowledge of the principles, techniques, and practices of online dissemination of information, via social media mechanisms and the web.

Thorough understanding of the impact of communications on the reputation, image, and success of an organization, as well as the role the web and social media have in this regard.

Fluency in using Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential:

Expert knowledge of Portuguese speaking, writing, and editing skills.

Intermediate knowledge of English

Desirable: (if applicable)

Expert knowledge of …………….

Intermediate knowledge of ……………

6. Location

On site: Luanda-Angola