International Strategic Planning Consultant – DFCA South Sudan

Background

The Drug and Food Control Authority (DFCA) is mandated to regulate the safety, efficacy, and quality of medicines, food, and medical products in South Sudan. However, the institution faces significant challenges including limited regulatory capacity, weak infrastructure, insufficient human resources, and financial sustainability constraints.

Strengthening DFCA is critical to ensuring access to safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines, including reproductive health commodities. In alignment with national health policies and global commitments such as SDG 3, UNFPA is supporting DFCA to develop a comprehensive and costed four-year Strategic Plan (2027–2031).

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical leadership in the development of an evidence-based, costed Strategic Plan that strengthens DFCA’s regulatory capacity and aligns with WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) standards and international best practices.

Objectives of the Assignment

Overall Objective:
To develop a comprehensive, sustainable, and costed Strategic Plan (2027–2031) for DFCA.

Specific Objectives:

• Assess institutional, legal, and operational capacity of DFCA.
• Define strategic direction (vision, mission, values, and priorities).
• Develop strategic pillars aligned with national and global frameworks.
• Design a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework with KPIs.
• Develop a costed implementation plan and resource mobilization strategy.

Scope of work:

The International Consultant will:

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Lead comprehensive institutional assessment and WHO GBT gap analysis.
• Conduct desk review of policies, legal frameworks, and regulatory systems.
• Lead stakeholder mapping and high-level consultations.
• Develop DFCA strategic direction (vision, mission, core values).
• Develop strategic pillars including regulatory systems, pharmacovigilance, laboratory strengthening, and quality assurance.
• Draft the Strategic Plan aligned with national and international frameworks.
• Facilitate validation workshops and technical discussions.
• Develop M&E framework with measurable KPIs.
• Develop costed implementation plan and resource mobilization strategy.
• Finalize and present the Strategic Plan to stakeholders.

Methodology

The assignment will utilize a mixed and participatory approach, including:

• Desk review of relevant documents
• Application of WHO GBT
• Key informant interviews and stakeholder consultations
• Facilitation of workshops
• Iterative drafting and validation

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Drug and Food Control Authority, in close collaboration with the UNFPA Country Office, and will engage with the pharmaceutical TWG, development partners

Duration and working schedule:

The consultancy is expected to last approximately three (3) months (25 working days), aligned with phases from assessment to finalization.

Place where services are to be delivered:

Juba, South Sudan

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered

The consultancy will have the following deliverables:

• Inception Report
• Gap Analysis Report
• Draft Strategic Plan
• Validation Workshop Report
• Final Strategic Plan
• M&E Framework
• Costed Implementation Plan and Resource Mobilization Strategy

(All deliverables submitted electronically)

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant will submit weekly progress updates and key milestone reports. A final report and knowledge transfer note will be submitted at the end of the assignment.

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Representative and Deputy Representative. He or she will require to work in close collaboration with the RHCS/FP Programme Specialist and Programme Analyst at UNFPA South Sudan and work closely with DFCA leadership, Ministry of Health, and relevant technical working groups.

Expected travel:

International travel to South Sudan and possible in-country travel required.

The selected consultant must have the following educational and professional experience:

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Pharmacy, Health Policy, or related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical regulation or health systems strengthening
• Proven experience with WHO GBT and strategic planning
• Experience in fragile or low-resource settings
• Strong analytical and report writing skills

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA

UNFPA will provide:

• Technical oversight and coordination
• Logistical support for workshops
• Stakeholder engagement support
• Access to documents and data

The consultant will be provided an office space at the DFCA and , work with RHCs team and UNFPA will provide support services including transport, office space, and airtime for the consultant.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

Payments will be made in installments linked to the achievement and formal acceptance of each deliverable listed above, in accordance with UNFPA financial rules and regulations, and upon written confirmation of satisfactory completion by the UNFPA Reproductive Health Programme and the Ministry of Health.