Technical Consultant for EpiC Project

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication and social marketing- creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

Introduction and Project Background

FHI 360 implements Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC), a PEPFAR and USAID-funded five-year global initiative that provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control and promote self-reliant management of national HIV programs by improving HIV case finding, prevention, treatment programming and viral load suppression. As part of USAID’s global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EpiC has received funding to support 19 countries, including Philippines, to receive, set up, and use mechanical ventilators for COVID-19 patient management.

The broad categories of support include: 1) conducting rapid facility assessments to inform ventilator placement and capacity strengthening needs; 2) conducting training and capacity strengthening on ventilator use (installation, maintenance, and appropriate use); and 3) supporting ongoing technical assistance on ventilator use and COVID-19 clinical treatment. One aspect of the technical assistance provided relates to forecasting, procurement planning, and management of consumable ventilator commodities.

The consultant will assist EpiC in Philippines to provide technical assistance (TA) to facilities receiving donated ventilators and the Department of Health to adopt a supply chain management approach that will increase the capacity of health system actors to accurately identify consumable commodities required to safely and effectively operate the donated mechanical ventilators, e.g., filers, circuits, hoses, etc.; forecast the quantities required by facilities; estimate consumables costs; plan for commodity procurement; plan for storage and fulfillment; and manage inventory at facility level.

Scope of Work:

The consultant(s) selected will complete tasks similar, but not limited, to the following:

· Provide support to the Philippines government and Department of Health at the national, regional, Local Government Units (LGUs) and facility levels to better manage ventilator consumables commodity supply chains, including quantity forecasting and cost estimation.

· Analyze logistics and supply chain management health systems to identify points of entry and opportunities to integrate ventilator consumable commodities into existing systems.

· Develop or adapt available resources, tools, and job aids in consultation with EpiC’s Technical and Program Management Backstops in coordination with Department of Health-Procurement and Supply Chain Management Team (DOH-PSMT) and LGUs that will support and enhance ventilator commodity supply chain management.

· Develop or adapt and deliver training and technical assistance to participating LGUs, health facilities and Department of Health office, units, and/or actors in ventilator commodity supply chain management.

· Participate in calls with the USAID mission and EpiC headquarters.

· Coordinate technical inputs from local stakeholders, including ventilator manufacturer representatives and medical supply providers, on assessments, deployment, and management of technical assistance.

· Contribute to provision of training on use of ventilators and COVID-19 clinical management (remote and/or virtual).

· Contribute to provision of remote support for health care providers, biomedical engineers, and logistics personnel.

Expected Deliverables

· Notes from Mission calls

· Finalized list of critical consumable commodities for mechanical ventilators

· Completed assessment reports

· A short report describes the training methodologies, content, final package of training materials, SOPs, job aids for ventilator commodity supply chain management and trainees’ list with their contact information

· Provision of training, in person or virtual

· Provision of technical support, person or virtual

Location of Work

· Consultant(s) will be expected to provide Physical (if situation permits) and remote technical assistance with possible travel to assigned locations when conditions allow to do so safely.

Duration of the Assignment

· Four months with variable Level of Effort per month **

Required Qualifications

· Filipino

· A minimum of 5 years of experience in management of medical supply chain, logistics, procurement, etc.

· Must be fluent in English (both verbal and written)

· Experience writing and/or contributing to technical reports