INTERNATIONAL - INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT FOR THE REVISION OF RHCS

The Individual Consultant (IC) will provide technical assistance to review the current implementation status of the Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) system in Timor-Leste and develop a comprehensive, costed RHCS strategy and Plan of Action (2026–2030) for contraceptives and essential maternal health medicines. The strategy will address key areas including financing, forecasting, procurement, supply chain management, stakeholder coordination, capacity development, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to ensure sustainable access to quality reproductive health commodities.

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

The Individual Consultant (IC) will provide technical assistance to review the current implementation status of the Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) system in Timor-Leste and develop a comprehensive, costed RHCS strategy and Plan of Action (2026–2030) for contraceptives and essential maternal health medicines. The strategy will address key areas including financing, forecasting, procurement, supply chain management, stakeholder coordination, capacity development, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to ensure sustainable access to quality reproductive health commodities.

Under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Representative, the consultant will technically report to the Supply Chain Management Officer and work closely with:
●    RH Analyst
●    Head of MCH Department and FP Program, Ministry of Health
●    INFPM
●    DNFM
Technical oversight will be provided by the UNFPA Country Office and the Regional Office (APRO)
 

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

●    Review the implementation status of the current RHCS strategy including achievements, challenges, lessons learned and remaining gaps.

●    Assess the current RHCS environment including policy, governance, financing, commodity availability, supply chain performance and coordination mechanism.
●    Assess the a forecasting, procurement, distribution and last-mile delivery of contraceptives and maternal health commodities
●    Review LMIS/HMIS functionality, data quality, and use
●    Identify gaps in the existing RHCS framework, including the exclusion of essential maternal health medicines in previous strategies and identify opportunities to strengthen their inclusion within the revised RHCS strategy
●    Conduct an online key informant interviews with:
o    Ministry of Health (MCH Directorate, Family Planning Programme, Procurement, DNFM, INFPM)
o    National Directorate of Finance MoH
o    Municipal health authorities
o    Development partners
o    National sub group of Quantification and Forecasting

●    Review forecasting practices, quantification processes, and supply planning, including the coordination mechanism
●    Assess the procurement process, lead time and bottlenecks
●    Review the LMIS functionality, reporting completeness, timeliness and data quality as well as its use for decision-making and supply planning
●    Assess current government financing and donor support for RH commodities (Contraceptives and essential maternal health medicines)

●    Develop a revised RHCS Strategy (2026–2030) that includes:
o    Vision, objectives and strategic priorities
o    RHCS governance and accountability mechanisms
o    Integration of contraceptives and essential maternal health medicines
o    Supply chain strengthening interventions, including LMIS and data use
o    Financing strategy
o    Capacity development plan
o    Risk mitigation strategies/plan

o    Monitoring and evaluation framework

o    Costed implementation plan for 2026-2030

●    Review National FP Plan and essential maternal health medicines 2026
●    Prepare a 4-year detailed implementation plan including schedule and distribution 2027-2030

●    Facilitate national stakeholder consultation workshop

●    Present findings and draft RHCS strategy to stakeholders
●    Incorporate stakeholder feedback and finalize RHCS strategy and action plan
 

The deliverables will be delivered in Electronic copy to UNFPA. Deliverables as follow:

Conduct inception activities

Inception Report including methodology, workplan, assessment

tools and document review approach

5 days

100% upon completion  and

acceptance of the

deliverables

• Conduct

  comprehensive RHCS assessment through desk review and key informant interviews to assess governance, financing, forecasting, procurement, warehousing, distribution, LMIS/HMIS,

  commodity availability and last-mile delivery

• Develop the RHCS strategy and costed implementation plan

• RHCS

  assessment report including findings, gaps and

  recommendations

• Draft RHCS Strategy, including costed implementation plans

15 days

Facilitate national stakeholder consultative workshop. Present the assessment findings and draft RHCS strategy, collect feedback and revise documents

Workshop report and stakeholder inputs incorporated

10 days

Finalize and submit final documents to UNFPA:

-     Final RHCS strategy with costed implementation plan 2026 - 2030

Final RHCS Strategy including M&E framework and costed implementation plan,

10 days

The UNFPA Representative will oversee overall progress and ensure the IC meets the scope of work for this consultancy.
Progress will be monitored through:
●    Regular communication with UNFPA focal points
●    Review and approval of deliverables
●    Stakeholder feedback during consultation processes
 

• An advanced degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Economics, Health Systems Management, or a related field.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrate strong expertise in Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS), forecasting, and supply chain management, as well as experience with Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) and health systems strengthening. 
• Proven experience in developing national health strategies and action plans is required.
• Possess excellent analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills.

• Proficiency in English Language is required. 

40 working days upon signing of the contract

The consultant is expected to undertake missions to Timor-Leste to conduct national Consultation and validation workshops as part of the review of the Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) system and the development of the RHCS Action Plan (2026–2030).

Candidates are requested to submit only the following documents: 

(i) a cover letter, 
(ii) a completed UNDP P11 Form, and 
(iii) a financial proposal, 
to timor-leste.office@unfpa.org. Applications must be received no later than the specified deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.

Please note that there is no need to apply on the system. You have to email your documents in the email specified above. 

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change
   

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.