Price Information Exchange for Medicines (PIEMEDS)

Item Description:

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established in 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. The objective of WHO (www.who.int) is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. “Health”, as defined in the WHO Constitution, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO’s main function is to act as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work.

The Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) is one of the six regions of the World Health Organization. Headquartered in Manila, Philippines, we work with health authorities and other partners in 37 countries and areas with more than one quarter of the world’s population.

BACKGROUND

Measurement and monitoring of access to essential medicines are of high priority for the global development agenda given access is an integral part of the Universal Health Coverage movement and an indispensable element of the delivery of quality health care. Access to medicines is a composite multidimensional concept that is composed of the availability of medicines and the affordability of their prices.

The “Price Information Exchange for Medicines” (PIEMEDS) is a regional platform to promote price transparency for improved medicine access.  It mainly contains procurement prices, along with other publicly available prices shared voluntarily by participating countries.  Prices are available for essential medicines and some other high price medicines.  The project intends to facilitate regular monitoring of the medicine price information. Data from national focal points are collected and processed by the World Health Organization.

As requested by Member States, WHO will support setting up an online platform that has the following features:

• Compatible with the assistive technology
• Responsive solution that scales for different screen resolutions and devices, including tablets and smartphones.
• Data collection mechanism with upload interface, local currency conversion, file sharing,
• Data visualization that includes summary pricing information (i.e., average, median, percentiles, etc.) can indicate market trends/dynamics and provide useful intelligence to strengthen procurement efficiency.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The aim of this contract is to ensure WHO receives:

An online platform/tool for WHO Member States to strengthen access to medicines by promoting market intelligence and price transparency to improve procurement efficiency. The online platform will serve and support data collection, analysis, validation and visualization of procurement and pricing system of countries.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The work will involve computer programming to develop necessary IT features for the platform.  The contractual partner will consult with EMT in carrying out the tasks and will be responsible for regular technical maintenance of the sites for at least one year to ensure working order as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

It is the responsibility of contractor as project package to secure a domain with a highest security feature and storage (the domain will be owned by WHO) and partner with a designer to carry out the following:

Output/s

Objective 1: To build a responsive website that is mobile optimized, please consider using CSS, Swift and Android XML for development.
Output 1.1:  web interface mock-up/ prototype

Objective 2: To ensure processes and data are well documented to maintain the operation of the platform
Output 2: Operational Manual and raw data

Objective 3: To ensure that the objectives of the platform meets the user requirements and gather user feedback for future enhancement.
Output 3.1: Conduct of training on how to operationalize the platform with ASEAN countries on 22 July 2021.

The contractor should provide technical maintenance of the sites for at least one year to ensure working order as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Regular review meetings with EMT will be convened.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The work will involve computer programming to develop necessary IT features for the platform.  The contractual partner will consult with EMT in carrying out the tasks and will be responsible for regular technical maintenance of the sites for at least one year to ensure working order as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

It is the responsibility of contractor as project package to secure a domain with a highest security feature and storage (the domain will be owned by WHO) and partner with a designer to carry out the outputs indicated above.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience in developing online platform and implementing modern communication and information management techniques and technologies, ideally based upon latest industry/best practices
• Good understanding on medicines, procurement of pharmaceuticals and government regulations on medicine pricing

Desirable:

• Training or relevant working experience in computer science, audio-visual production/design, or related fields
• Desirable:  certification through software companies and professional organizations
• Experience working with international organizations, governments and private sector in the area of medicines procurement

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Demonstrated expertise working in medicines with a good understanding access to medicines, procurement of pharmaceuticals and government regulations on medicine pricing
• Demonstrated knowledge of development of mobile apps
• Knowledge of UI/UX and ability to present large, complex datasets in a clear and understandable manner
• Ability to work independently and in close collaboration with WHO
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Attention to detail

LANGUAGES

Fluent in English (writing, reading and speaking)

COMPETENCIES

• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Producing results
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Knowing and managing yourself
• Fostering integration and teamwork

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The contractor will work in close collaboration with WHO/WPRO and WHO/HQ MHP Team.

Duration of contract is from 12 July 2021 – Until December 2021

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 5 July 2021

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 132257 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Contacts

Thi Minh Ly Nguyen – wproungm@who.int
Email: wproungm@who.int
First name: Thi Minh Ly
Surname: Nguyen