International Consultant | Consultancy on Assessing the Inclusion of Contraceptives within the National Essential Medicine List (NEMLs)

The consultancy aims to establish a robust regional evidence base and execute strategic, evidence-driven advocacy to institutionalize the inclusion of modern contraceptive commodities within National Essential Medicines Lists (NEMLs) across the Arab Region. The consultant will assess NEMLs, generate evidence, and support advocacy efforts to ensure contraceptives are integrated into national pharmaceutical governance frameworks, supporting Universal Health Coverage and reproductive health priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop an inception report outlining the assessment methodology, including the design and finalization of the inclusion criteria (matrix) for cross-country comparability on Contraceptive Inclusion in the NEML.
• Undertake regional mapping and data collection by conducting an exhaustive desk review and populating the assessment matrix for all 20 countries in the Arab Region, benchmarking national lists against the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.
• Conduct key informant interviews where desk review does not yield required information.
• Produce a comprehensive regional situational analysis report identifying inclusion gaps, alignment with international standards, and systemic policy/regulatory barriers.
• Establish objective criteria to prioritize up to three countries for advocacy support based on defined prioritization criteria.
• Draft a publication-ready Regional Technical Advocacy Brief and a comprehensive contraceptive inclusion plan.
• Serve as a technical expert to facilitate and provide technical inputs for a High-Level Inter-Agency Coordination Meeting and a hybrid technical exchange for national NEML officials.
• Develop tailored policy briefs and recommendations for selected priority countries to support UNFPA country teams' advocacy efforts.
• Provide technical evidence for Country Offices to advocate with Ministries of Health for formal NEML integration.

Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s or PhD) in Public Health, Pharmacy, Health Economics, or a related field.
• 7 years of professional experience in health systems research, particularly SRH and family planning.
• Extensive knowledge of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), relevant health indices, and essential medicines policy, including National Essential Medicines Lists (NEMLs) and pharmaceutical procurement.
• Familiarity with the political, social, and cultural context of Arab countries and experience working in fragile or conflict-affected settings.
• Demonstrated experience in generating complex analytical reports, policy summaries, and multi-country assessments for UN agencies.
• Proven expertise in developing high-level communication, advocacy, and training materials tailored for policymakers.
• Previous experience in delivering similar regional assignments and familiarity with UNFPA’s mandate and the ICPD Programme of Action.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory.
• Knowledge of Arabic and French is considered a significant additional asset.
• Strong leadership, sense of initiative, and the capacity to work remotely and independently.
• Exceptional analytical, report-writing, and oral presentation skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities, with a demonstrated commitment and passion for serving the SRHR needs of all population groups.

Skills

• Health Systems Research
• Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Family Planning
• Universal Health Coverage
• Essential Medicines Policy
• National Essential Medicines Lists
• Pharmaceutical Procurement
• Health Economics
• Policy Analysis
• Multi-country Assessments
• Analytical Report Production
• Policy Summaries
• Advocacy Material Development
• Training Material Development
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Oral Presentation
• Public Health
• Regional Health Assessments
• UN Agency Reporting

Languages

English