National Consultant - Quantification Capacity Assessment; QCA

• National Consultant
  - Quantification Capacity Assessment (QCA)

Purpose of Consultancy: The Asia Pacific Region, with its vast geographical diversity, varying levels of economic development, and diverse healthcare needs, faces unique challenges and opportunities in supply chain management (SCM). While some countries have well-established SCM systems, others grapple with inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of trained healthcare professionals, and limited access to reproductive health commodities and supplies. Strengthening the health supply chain is critical to addressing these gaps and improving the delivery of RH commodities to those who need them most.

In this context, the Asia Pacific Regional Office and the Supply Chain Management Unit plays a key role in enhancing supply chain management systems across the region. This technical assistance is focused on improving the availability, accessibility, and quality of reproductive health commodities and services for the most vulnerable communities, a crucial step toward achieving UNFPA’s three transformative results.

Over the past years, the Regional Office and the Supply Chain Management Unit have coordinated numerous capacity-building training sessions on how to enhance health Supply Chain Management Systems. These trainings have aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of Country Offices and Partners in managing and optimising health supply chains, ensuring the efficient delivery of essential medical supplies to the last mile, and conducting need-based quantification of RH commodities.

In light of this, Philippines CO is now looking for new and different ways to build the capacity in the region. In collaboration with the SCMU Demand and Supply Planning team and the Regional Office, the Philippines CO is planning to assess the current state of Department of Health’s Disease Prevention and Control Bureau
- Child Adolescent Maternal Men Health Division (DOH-DPCB-CAMHD) and select provincial and local health unit staff when it comes to their capacity to carry out Quantification practices and managing their overall SCM systems for Reproductive Health/New and Lesser Used (NLU)/Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) commodities. The aim is to assess the quantification capabilities for Reproductive Health /NLU/CAC supplies to identify best practices and gaps in knowledge and skills.

This identification will further inform the development of a general framework and roadmap of how quantification practices can be improved for all countries supported by UNFPA.

The insights gained from this assessment will be invaluable in enhancing UNFPA’s capacity building efforts beyond workshops and training guiding future work on how to strengthen health supply chain management capabilities in the region and globally.

Scope of work:

An individual supply chain management expert/consultant is urgently required to conduct a comprehensive Quantification Capacity Assessment (QCA) within the Philippines. This critical role involves a multifaceted approach to evaluate and enhance the nation's capacity for effective supply chain management, particularly concerning the quantification of essential supplies. The consultant's responsibilities will encompass the following key areas:

A. Conduct the Assessment using UNFPA Methodology:

• The consultant will be responsible for executing a thorough in-country assessment, strictly adhering to the established methodology and framework developed by UNFPA. This comprehensive assessment will involve:
• Convening and Interviewing Key Informants:
  Facilitating and conducting in-depth interviews with a diverse range of key stakeholders and informants at the country level. This includes, but is not limited to, government officials, healthcare professionals, logistics personnel, and representatives from relevant non-governmental organizations. The aim is to gather qualitative insights into current practices, challenges, and opportunities within the supply chain.

B. Draft a Final Report with Assessment Results:

• Upon completion of the in-country assessment, the consultant will be tasked with drafting a detailed and comprehensive final report. This report will meticulously present the findings of the assessment, including:
• Identified Strengths and Weaknesses: A clear articulation of the existing strengths and weaknesses within the country's quantification capacity, covering aspects such as human resources, infrastructure, systems, and processes.
• Opportunities and Threats:
  An analysis of potential opportunities for improvement and any prevailing threats that could hinder effective quantification.
• Specific Recommendations:
  Actionable and data-driven recommendations tailored to address the identified gaps and enhance the overall quantification capacity. These recommendations should be practical, prioritized, and aligned with UNFPA's strategic objectives.

C. Communicate and Participate in Further Dissemination Efforts:

• The…