Senior Consultant – Strategic Procurement and APPM Implementation Support Africa CDC

Issued date: 21 July 2025

1. Background

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is advancing the establishment of the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM) to enable coordinated, efficient, and African-led procurement of essential health products, including antiretrovirals (ARVs), antimalarials, HIV diagnostics, and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). As countries navigate shifting donor landscapes and increasing domestic procurement responsibilities, Africa CDC aims to accelerate the availability, affordability, and reliability of priority health products—particularly those manufactured on the continent.

To support this agenda, Africa CDC seeks a Senior Consultant with expertise in strategic health procurement and pooled procurement operations to provide technical leadership across three priority areas: securing access terms for ATM products, supporting the rapid operationalization of APPM, and developing core procurement implementation tools.

•  Objectives of the Assignment

The consultant will provide high-level advisory and technical support to Africa CDC’s APPM team to:

1. Influence market access and pricing terms for key health products, especially those manufactured in Africa.
2. Accelerate the initial operational roll-out of the APPM for ATM procurement.
3. Support the development of procurement strategies, quality assurance frameworks, and operational protocols required for APPM implementation.

• Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following key tasks:

A. Strategic Access and Product Pipeline Engagement

• Analyze and advise on strategies to secure favorable access terms for four key product categories (e.g., ARVs, malaria treatments, HIV RDTs, MCMs).
• Support negotiations with suppliers and relevant entities to consolidate demand volumes and optimize price/volume arrangements.
• Recommend mechanisms (e.g., offtake commitments, pooled forecasts) to increase the share of procurement awarded to African manufacturers.

B. Rapid Stand-up of APPM for ATM Products

• Advise on short-term implementation models that allow countries to access ATM products through the APPM with procurement partner
• Identify practical interim steps to ensure APPM is positioned as a credible procurement platform during funding transitions.

C. Operational Design and Procurement Implementation

• Draft or review procurement strategies, industry meetings and manufacturer engagement, vendor qualification criteria, and sourcing guidelines tailored to the APPM’s objectives.
• Support the development of the APPM Quality Assurance Policy, procurement manual, and related operational documentation.
• Advise on procurement workflow design, including tender processes, framework agreements, and supplier engagement strategies.

4. Deliverables

• Strategic access roadmap for four product lines with proposed volume, pricing, and supplier engagement
• Options memo for interim APPM procurement operations, including financial and legal considerations.
• Procurement strategy document and quality assurance policy draft for APPM implementation.
• Monthly progress updates and end-of-assignment report with recommendations for institutionalization.

5. Duration and Reporting

• Duration: 6 months (with possible extension)
• Location: Remote with potential in-person missions to Addis Ababa or selected countries
• Reports to: Head of Supply Chain Division

6. Qualifications and Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in strategic procurement, pooled procurement, or health product supply systems.
• Proven expertise in MCMs, ARVs, malaria products, diagnostics, or similar essential health commodities.
• Experience working with or advising national governments, global health initiatives, or large-scale procurement programs.
• Strong understanding of health product manufacturing landscape
• Advanced degree in public health, supply chain, economics, business, or a related field.

7. Consultancy Fee:

The total payment for the Consultant’s services shall be a fixed amount of USD 75,000, payable upon successful completion and delivery of the milestone’s agreed deliverable. This fixed amount is inclusive of all Consultant fees, reimbursable expenses, and any applicable taxes or tax obligations imposed on the Consultant.

This consultancy will be managed as a lump sum contract. The total fee must include all professional services, applicable taxes, and the consultant’s equipment or software. Travel-related costs (airfare, DSA, accommodation) for approved field missions will be covered directly by Africa CDC, in accordance with AU travel regulations.

8. Evaluation and Qualification Criteria:

Technical Evaluation

1. Education, Qualification, and Relevant Training – 20
2. Experience of the consultant and relevance to the assignment and number of years– 80

Required Documentation:

1. Cover letter with statement of understanding
2. A detailed and updated curriculum vitae (CV), and indicating nationality, age and gender.
3. Two written references

The Africa CDC now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. An interested candidate must provide information demonstrating that he/she has the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The Consultants will be selected in accordance with the Individual Selection method set out in the AU Procurement Manual V.2.0. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8:00-13:00hrs and14:00-17:00 hours, Addis Ababa Time. Interested consultants must respond to the call by sending their comprehensive CVs in a written form following the above criteria to the emails below before 15:00 Hours Addis Ababa Time on 5 August 2025.

Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention,

Attn: Director of Management and Administration.
Africa CDC Office Complex, Haile Garment Area,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
E-mails: Tender@africacdc.org and Abuj@africacdc.org