Request for Consultants - Provision of Technical Oversight for the Implementation of Workstream at the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC)

The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) is a strategic government effort established by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda in October 2023. Operating under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare and the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, PVAC aims to unlock billions of dollars in new investment into Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Request for Consultants: Provision of Technical Oversight for the Implementation of Workstream on Building Local Capacity to Produce Quality Rapid Diagnostics Therapies (RDTs) - Enhancing Local Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management for Health Commodities and Supplies in Nigeria

Location: Nigeria

Background

• Nigeria faces a significant burden from both communicable and non-communicable diseases, which strains the healthcare system and hinders economic development. Despite ongoing efforts to address these challenges, the country remains heavily reliant on imports for essential health commodities.
• This dependency leads to high costs, supply chain vulnerabilities, and inconsistent availability of critical healthcare products. Strengthening local capacity and optimizing supply chain management is essential to improving the accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of healthcare products. This is key to advancing public health.
• Market shaping strategies have proven successful in other health sectors by leveraging economies of scale, improving quality control, and enhancing distribution efficiency.
• Adopting this model for manufacturing and distributing essential health commodities could reduce costs, improve product consistency, and ensure more reliable supply chains. However, transitioning from an import-dependent system to one with a robust local production capacity and an efficient pooled procurement system is a complex process.
• It requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that addresses manufacturing capabilities, quality assurance mechanisms, supply chain optimization, workforce capacity building, and supportive policy frameworks.
• The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), with the support of the World Bank IMPACT, embarked on a project called “Enhancing Local Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management for Health Commodities and Supplies in Nigeria”.
• The aim of this project is to address these challenges through a phased approach that balances short-term and long-term objectives.
• The strategies for addressing these challenges will include developing and laying the groundwork for local manufacturing of malaria commodities (including ACTs, RDTs, APIs, and LLINs), including enhancing production capacity, ensuring compliance with international quality standards, and fostering workforce development. 
• At the same time, the project will focus on optimizing the pooled procurement of imported malaria commodities to improve cost-effectiveness and distribution efficiency.
• Over the medium to long term, these interventions will strengthen the entire health commodities value chain, create opportunities for economic growth, and support Nigeria's self-sufficiency in critical healthcare products. 
• This comprehensive approach seeks to improve Nigeria's healthcare supply systems' efficiency and resilience while unlocking new economic opportunities within the country's health sector. The project duration is 1 year.

Objectives

• This consultancy aims to provide technical oversight to all parties working under this project to enhance the local production of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) in Nigeria. This involves providing technical oversight to PVAC, NMEP, local consultants, and other identified stakeholders engaged in this workstream.
• This workstream includes assessing manufacturing capacity, facilitating partnerships for technology transfer, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and supporting policy reforms to create an enabling environment for sustainable production.
• The consultant/consulting firm will ensure the integration of best practices for policy and implementation, and draw from previous experiences in this space to strengthen the framework (both demand and supply) for the local manufacture of quality, and affordable RDTs.

Scope of Work
The consultant / firm engaged to provide this oversight function is expected to:

• Provide technical oversight and advise all parties working in the RDT workstream on matters relating to scope, quality, and outputs through participation and reviews during the planning, implementation, and close-out phases of the RDT production capacity development workstream.
• Support the development of recommendations required for critical policy and regulatory reforms that will drive the process for the local manufacturing of RDTs by sharing best international practices in regulation, innovative financing, international market entry, etc.
• Facilitate the engagement of stakeholders (government agencies, partners, private sector structures, technical partners, etc.) relevant to realizing the goals of this workstream. These stakeholders must understand the Nigerian and international regulatory and RDT manufacturing landscape.
• Provide technical support to organize policy dialogues with key stakeholders to develop the implementation framework for priority recommendations.
• Participate in stakeholder workshops to validate findings and co-develop a strategic roadmap for malaria RDT product production.
• Provide oversight to the quality of outputs for the RDT workstream, including the compilation, assessment, and final selection of potential ACT manufacturers and recommendations for support.
• Provide technical oversight to ensure that the appropriate support is identified and provided to the selected RDT manufacturers in the following (not-exclusive) areas:
  • Technical support and knowledge transfer directly or through partnerships
  • Identifying funding gaps and possible funding sources
  • Establish a QA system to ensure compliance with international standards
• Meet bi-weekly with the project team to review progress and collaboratively resolve any identified issues.

Selection Method:

• The selection process will follow a Limited Consultant Qualification-Based Method (LCQBM). Under this approach, interested consultants will submit proposals in response to the Terms of Reference (TOR) issued by PVAC.
• As part of the evaluation, consultants must demonstrate their relevant experience and qualifications in managing similar projects.
• Only the most qualified consultants with the required qualification/ expertise would be considered.

Required Expertise
The following are the expertise required from the applying consultant/firm:

• Global Health Experience: Strong background in malaria epidemiological studies, prevention and control strategies, and global health programs, with experience in implementing large-scale public health interventions around RDT development in LMICs and a special interest in West Africa.
• Clinical Research Expertise: In-depth knowledge, experience, and skills in epidemiological and molecular biological research with special interest in the development and evaluation of affordable malaria diagnostics, especially RDTs, as well as managing large clinical trials and its associated regulatory and certification requirements.
• Experience in RDT Development: Expertise in the research, formulation and manufacturing processes for RDTs, including clinical trial design and implementation.
• Stakeholders Engagement and Coordination Capabilities: Proven ability to manage multi-sectoral projects, coordinate multi-disciplinary teams as well as coordinate with governments, NGOs, INGOs, donors, research institutions and private sector partners in malaria prevention and control.
• Innovative Financing:Excellent background in innovative financing for healthcare service delivery and development, especially in the management of malaria in Africa.
• Regulatory Knowledge:  Have a wide experience working with national and international regulations for RDT production, approval, Good Clinical Practices (GCP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Capacity Building: Experience in training and mentoring teams in clinical research and RDT development processes.
• International Context Knowledge: Understanding of international health systems and regulatory landscapes. Familiar with the operational challenges in Africa, especially regarding healthcare needs and distribution challenges. Able to influence the local RDT manufacturing landscape along the lines of international best practices.

Expected Outcomes
The oversight function of this workstream is expected to support the quality of deliverables from all parties working under this workstream. These include:

• Evidence-based RDT-specific policy recommendations and reforms validated by stakeholders.
• Detailed reports of site visits and assessments.
• A list of selected 1st batch RDT manufacturers (at least 3) and a pipeline of recommended 2nd batch RDT manufacturers (at least 5) for technical assistance.
• Detailed map of potential funding opportunities.
• Technical assistance reports.

Duration of the Assignment:

• This assignment is expected to run for 8 months - May to December 2025.

Application Closing Date
2nd May, 2025.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Documents to pvacprocurement@hscgroup.org using the title as the sbuejct of the mail.

Submission Requirements
Interested organizations are expected to submit the following documents:

• Technical Proposal: The technical proposal should include:
  • A clear methodology that demonstrates expertise in managing this project.
  • A track record and experience in implementing similar projects
  • At least 3 references from similar projects
• Compliance Documents:
  • Consultant must have the permit to work in Nigeria as Nigeria Ministry of Interior requires. While for firms, the following documents are also required:
  • A valid organizational registration document
  • Up-to-date tax clearance certificates
• Financial Proposal

Note: Proposals sent after the deadline will not be considered.