CONSULTANT FOR TRADE AND ACCESS TO MEDICINES

Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP is a founding cosponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and a co-sponsor of several other international health partnerships. UNDP’s work on HIV, health and development leverages UNDP’s core strengths and mandates in human development, governance and capacity development to complement the efforts of specialist health-focused UN agencies. UNDP delivers three types of support to countries in HIV, health and development. UNDP offers policy advice and technical assistance to reform national legislation to ensure that TRIPS flexibilities are fully incorporated and that countries are aware of the public health implications of TRIPS-plus commitments made in the process of WTO accession and/or bilateral trade agreements negotiations. To support ongoing work being undertaken in this regard, UNDP is seeking the services of a consultant regarding the following specific assignments:

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Policy Specialist on Intellectual Property Innovation and Trade the Consultant will be responsible for: Conducting desk-based research on the impact of free trade agreements and other bilateral and regional agreements with intellectual property provisions on access to essential medicines, in particular antiretrovirals and to present the findings and lead discussions on this matter at national consultations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; and Provide technical and policy support to countries strategies to avoid TRIPS-plus commitments with public health impact while negotiating free trade agreements and how to mitigate the negative impact of such undertaken commitments. Specific Deliverables Substantive inputs into the development of concept notes, providing advice activities, materials and presentations; Expert reviews, comments and inputs into legislation relating to intellectual property and public health; and Input into the development of an outline of a publication on competition law and access to essential medicines. Evaluation Applicants will be screened against qualifications and competencies specified below through a desk review or an interview process. Those selected for the next stage of the selection process will be reviewed based on the basis of cumulative analysis based on a combination of the Technical and Financial Scores. Payment Payment will be made twice, on the basis of time worked.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional: Strong analytical and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical and knowledge products as evidenced by a publications list A strong knowledge of the public health implications of free trade agreements and other bilateral or regional trade instruments with impact on public health. The ability to work closely national stakeholders with different mandates and priorities. Communications and Advocacy: Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly. Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences. Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: A minimum Masters Degree in international trade law, intellectual property, international affairs, economics, public health and a good working knowledge of at least one of the other substantive areas. Experience: A substantive and up-to date knowledge of the process of negotiating bilateral trade instruments, the intellectual property rights provisions of such documents and their impact on public health - as demonstrated by a publications and/or relevant work experience; A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in the area of international trade, intellectual property and access to essential medicines Work experience from a developing country or economy in transition is highly desirable. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages as well as web based management systems. Excellent writing, research, analysis and presentation skills.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.