Job Description

Title: Policy Advocacy Consultant

Company Name: SHASTO Project - MOHFW supported by JICA Bangladesh

Vacancy: 1

Age: 40 to 60 years

Job Location: Dhaka

Salary: Negotiable

Experience:

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): Development Agency

• Master of Arts (MA) in public health, health economics, health systems, health policy, or a related discipline.
• PhD in Health economics or Economics

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): Development Agency

• Age 40 to 60 years

· At least five years of relevant experience in public-sector health financing or health-system planning in Bangladesh.

· Demonstrated ability to analyze health data, estimate requirements and costs for medicines and related medical supplies, and prepare technical reports and presentations.

· Working knowledge of Bangladesh government budgeting, procurement, and supply arrangements; experience coordinating with MOHFW, DGHS, or related agencies is strongly preferred.

· Strong analytical writing, presentation, stakeholder coordination, and facilitation skills; proficiency in English and Bangla.

Background:

Bangladesh has expanded hypertension and diabetes services at the primary health care (PHC) level through the implementation of the NCD Management Model. However, inconsistent availability of essential medicines and related medical supplies remains a challenge to ensuring continuous and effective service delivery. Sustainable government financing, appropriate estimation of requirements, timely procurement, and effective distribution are essential for sustaining these services.

SHASTO-2 plans to organize an “Advocacy Workshop on Sustainable Government Financing and Supply of Essential Medicines for Hypertension and Diabetes” with relevant government stakeholders. The workshop will review the current financing and supply situation of essential medicines and related medical supplies, identify key challenges, and discuss practical measures for improvement and sustainable government financing.

Objective of the Assignment:

To provide short-term technical and coordination support to SHASTO-2 in preparing and conducting the advocacy meeting and handing over its results, with particular emphasis on estimating requirements and budget needs for essential medicines and related medical supplies for hypertension and diabetes, and identifying practical, government-led follow-up actions.

Scope of Work and Key Tasks

1. Data Compilation and Rapid Situation Analysis

Conduct a rapid review and compilation of existing information covering the entire country on the number of patients registered in the national NCD information system, current service utilization and projected demand, lists of essential medicines and related medical supplies, their availability, procurement and distribution, current budgets, and funding sources. Identify key data gaps and document data sources, definitions, reporting periods, and limitations.

2. Quantification and Cost Estimation of Essential Medicines and Related Medical Supplies

Estimate annual requirements and associated costs for essential hypertension and diabetes medicines and related medical supplies for NCD Corners at all Upazila Health Complexes (UzHCs) nationwide, based on approved treatment protocols, patient numbers, current service utilization, projected demand, and available unit prices.

3. Financing, Procurement, and Gap Assessment

Review current government budget allocations, funding sources, procurement and supply arrangements, and institutional responsibilities for essential medicines and related medical supplies. Compare estimated annual costs with available budgets to identify funding gaps. Identify key challenges and possible measures to incorporate the required costs into regular government budgeting and procurement planning.

4. Stakeholder Consultation and Meeting Preparation:

Consult relevant officials from MOHFW, DGHS, CMSD, and EDCL (as appropriate), in coordination with SHASTO-2 and relevant government counterparts. Prepare the meeting agenda, technical brief, analytical tables, presentation slides, discussion points, and a draft action plan. Support coordination of invitations and meeting logistics; administrative arrangements will remain the responsibility of SHASTO-2.

5. Meeting Support and Handover

Present analytical findings as agreed with SHASTO-2 and facilitate technical discussions during the advocacy meeting. Summarize key discussions, recommendations, agreements, and outstanding issues in a concise meeting report. Identify necessary follow-up actions and hand over the report and relevant materials to SHASTO-2 project staff for further coordination and implementation.

Deliverables

Ÿ   Progress Updates

Provide brief progress updates to the SHASTO-2 team at key stages of the assignment, including preliminary findings and cost estimates, for review and feedback.

Ÿ   Meeting Package

Prepare a meeting package including the situation analysis, cost estimates, technical brief, agenda, and presentation slides.

Ÿ   Final Workshop Report

Prepare a concise meeting report and final analytical materials, including proposed follow-up actions.