National consultancy: specialist to support the regional assignment on market intelligence & regulatory assessment for guaranteed access to srh commodities in eastern europe and central asia (eeca)

Description

The Position: National Specialist to Support the Regional Assignment on Market Intelligence & Regulatory Assessment for Guaranteed Access to SRH Commodities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA)

The National Specialist, under the supervision of the UNFPA SRH National Program Analyst and the Consultant/Consultancy company contracted by the EECARO will be responsible for performing the following scope of work:

• Facilitate engagement with national stakeholders relevant to SRH commodities and regulatory systems.
• Support collection and organization of country-specific documentation and data.
• Coordinate and schedule interviews, meetings, and consultations with public and private sector actors.
• Support mapping of local manufacturers, distributors, procurement agencies, and supply chain actors.
• Assist in validating country findings and reviewing draft outputs.
• Provide contextual analysis and practical insights on country-specific regulatory and procurement environments.

How you can make a difference:

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.

Job Purpose:

UNFPA EECARO is undertaking a regional Market Intelligence & Regulatory Assessment to identify practical and quality-assured pathways for improving access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) commodities across Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA). The regional assignment will assess regulatory systems, procurement barriers, local manufacturing capacity, supply chain preparedness, and non-LTA procurement opportunities for priority SRH commodities. To perform this initiative, EECARO is in the process of selecting a Consultant/Consultancy company, which will provide a detailed methodology of work, set detailed timelines, coordinate the entire regional process, and deliver final regional-level outputs.

As part of this regional assignment, local country-level support is required to facilitate country-level coordination, stakeholder engagement, collection of documentation and market intelligence data, and logistical support for consultations and interviews. The purpose of this assignment is to provide in-country technical and operational support to the regional consultancy by facilitating access to stakeholders, collecting relevant documentation and data, coordinating interviews and consultations, and supporting validation of findings related to SRH commodity market intelligence, regulatory pathways, procurement systems, and supply chain operations. UNFPA Kazakhstan therefore seeks to engage National Consultant, who will act as the country focal point to support this regional assignment.

You would be responsible for:

A. Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement

• Identify and compile a list of key national stakeholders, including:
• Ministries of Health
• National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs)
• Procurement agencies
• Customs authorities
• Public health institutes
• Local manufacturers and distributors
• Humanitarian and UN partners
• NGOs and professional associations
• Facilitate introductions and communication between the lead consultant/team and national stakeholders.
• Coordinate and schedule interviews, meetings, and consultations.
• Participate in stakeholder interviews where required and support interpretation/clarification of local context.

B. Documentation and Data Collection

• Collect and organize relevant country-level documents, including but not limited to:
• National regulatory guidelines and registration procedures
• Essential medicines and procurement policies
• Importation and customs procedures
• Emergency authorization provisions
• Public procurement regulations
• Product registration requirements and timelines
• Market authorization procedures
• Local manufacturing information
• Supply chain and warehousing information
• Existing framework agreements and procurement plans
• Relevant reports, assessments, and policy documents
• Support the collection of market intelligence data related to:
• Availability of SRH commodities
• Local suppliers and distributors
• Product demand trends
• Procurement bottlenecks
• Lead times and MOQs
• Distribution and warehousing capacities

C. Local Market and Supply Chain Intelligence

• Map local manufacturers, assemblers, distributors, and wholesalers relevant to SRH commodities.
• Gather information on:
• Local production capacity
• Registration status of key SRH commodities
• Import restrictions
• Sanction-related operational challenges (where applicable)
• Storage and cold-chain capacity
• Kit assembly and break-pack capabilities
• Provide contextual information on country-specific procurement and supply chain challenges.

D. Coordination and Reporting Support

• Provide regular updates to the lead consultant/team and UNFPA.
• Support follow-up communications with stakeholders.
• Assist in validating findings and reviewing draft country sections of reports.
• Support organization of country consultations and validation meetings/workshops.
• Prepare brief country progress summaries when requested.

Methodology of work:

The National specialist will work closely with the Consultant/Consultancy company using:

• Desk review and document collection
• Stakeholder outreach and coordination
• Key informant interviews
• Surveys and structured consultations
• Data collection using standardized templates and tools
• Validation meetings and workshops

The National specialist is expected to ensure timely, accurate, and well-documented collection of information in line with UNFPA guidance and confidentiality requirements. The scope of work, and methodologies stated above is indicative. The Consultant/Consultancy company will communicate the actual scope of work and methodologies.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Public Health, Pharmacy, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain Management, International Development, Social Sciences, or related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in health systems, pharmaceuticals, regulatory affairs, procurement, or supply chain management.

• Strong knowledge of the national health and regulatory environment.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with government institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholders.
• Experience in data collection, stakeholder coordination, and report preparation.
• Familiarity with SRH commodities and/or humanitarian supply chains is an advantage.

Languages:

Fluency in English (required)

Proficiency in Russian and Kazakh (required)

Required Competencies:

Values:

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

Core Competencies:

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

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package.

UNFPA Work Environment:

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.

Disclaimer:

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.