National Consultant to Support the Development of Transition Plan

Grade: Local Consultancy (IC/SSA) · Schedule: Part time

POSITION TITLE: National Consultant to Support the Development of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Transition Plan for Timor-Leste

CONTRACT TYPE: Individual Consultant (National)

DUTY STATION: Dili, Timor-Leste DURATION: 30 working days after signing of the contract

CLOSING DATE: 26 November 2026 at 5:00 PM (Timor-Leste time)

1. BACKGROUND

The UNFPA Supplies Partnership (USP) supports countries to strengthen national ownership and sustainable financing, procurement, and delivery of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) commodities, particularly contraceptives and selected essential maternal health medicines. The Partnership defines transition as the process through which governments strengthen their ability to sustainably finance, procure, and deliver SRH commodities, including strengthening the systems required for budgetary and procurement decisions, resilient supply chains, and service delivery.

Following the 2025 rapid refresh of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, Timor-Leste is classified as a Group 3 country and is expected to transition to Group 4 status by 31 December 2030. The transition process will require progressive strengthening of domestic financing, national procurement, and supply chain systems, while maintaining equitable and uninterrupted access to contraceptives and essential maternal health commodities.

UNFPA Timor-Leste therefore intends to recruit a National Consultant to provide technical and coordination support to the national transition planning process, including support to the National Transition Task Force, stakeholder consultations, preparation of the draft transition plan, organization of a consultative process, and facilitation of a national validation workshop for endorsement of the final plan.

1. PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to support the Government of Timor-Leste and UNFPA in developing an evidence-based and nationally owned UNFPA Supplies Partnership Transition Plan for 2027-2030, aligned with the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Transition Planning Guidance and Template.

The consultant will work closely with the National Transition Task Force, relevant Government institutions, UNFPA, and other key stakeholders to:

1. Assess the current status and readiness of Timor-Leste for transition;
2. Consolidate available evidence and establish the baseline for relevant transition indicators;
3. Facilitate stakeholder consultations and identify key barriers, opportunities, risks, and priorities for transition;
4. Support the National Transition Task Force to develop strategic priorities and practical actions for 2027-2030;
5. Draft the Timor-Leste UNFPA Supplies Partnership Transition Plan;
6. Facilitate consultation and review of the draft plan with key stakeholders;
7. Organize and facilitate a national validation workshop; and
8. Incorporate feedback and produce the final transition plan for Government and UNFPA endorsement.
9. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

A. Inception and preparation

• Review the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Transition Planning Guidance and Template.
• Review relevant national policies, strategies, plans, reports, and assessments related to: SRH/FP; reproductive health commodity security; health financing; supply chain management; procurement; national supply planning; health systems strengthening; domestic resource mobilization; and donor/partner financing.
• Review relevant existing transition-related work undertaken by UNFPA, Government, and partners.
• Develop an inception note and detailed workplan.
• Develop a stakeholder consultation plan and interview/consultation guides.
• Support the National Transition Task Force to confirm priority stakeholders and institutions to be consulted.

B. Stakeholder mapping and consultations

• Support consultations with relevant stakeholders including Ministry of Health, National Directorate/Department responsible for Family Planning and Reproductive Health, National Institute of Pharmacy and Medicines (INFPM), Ministry of Finance, procurement and customs authorities, national supply chain and warehouse stakeholders, development partners, UN agencies, World Bank/GFF, Civil Society Organizations, implementing partners, professional associations, and private sector representatives.
• Document key findings, areas of consensus, concerns, recommendations, and actions emerging from consultations.

C. Baseline and transition readiness assessment

• Compile available evidence against the UNFPA transition indicators and establish the end-2026 baseline where data are available.
• Identify data gaps and limitations.
• Propose realistic 2030 transition targets/reference points in consultation with the Task Force and UNFPA.
• Analyse current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) affecting transition.
• Identify key bottlenecks requiring action during 2027-2030.

D. Political economy and financing analysis

• Assess government commitment, institutional ownership, and decision-making structures for SRH commodity financing.
• Review budget formulation and execution processes, domestic resource mobilization opportunities, current government/partner financing, financing gaps, risks, and fiscal space considerations.
• Explore opportunities to leverage GFF/World Bank financing mechanisms and integrate SRH commodity financing into national health financing mechanisms.

E. Supply chain and commodity security assessment

• Assess transition readiness regarding quantification and forecasting, National Supply Plan approval, procurement planning, national procurement capacity, customs clearance, warehousing, distribution, last-mile availability, mSupply, quality assurance, human resources, governance, and contingency mechanisms.
• Identify priority supply chain interventions required to maintain uninterrupted and equitable access to SRH commodities.

F. Development of the Transition Plan

• Prepare the draft Transition Plan in accordance with the UNFPA template, covering introduction context, roles, baseline assessment, political economy analysis, demand-side mechanisms, National Supply Plan, advocacy, financing, vision/theory of change, transition strategy, private sector role, HSS priorities, transition indicators, 2027-2030 roadmap, risk mitigation, and annexes.

G. Support to the National Transition Task Force

• Provide technical and coordination support including meeting preparation, background materials, evidence presentation, discussion facilitation, decision documentation, input consolidation, and action prioritization.

H. Consultative and validation workshops

• Prepare and facilitate stakeholder consultation/technical workshops to review assessment and strategic priorities.
• Present draft Transition Plan, collect feedback, revise draft, and facilitate National Transition Plan Validation and Endorsement Workshop.
• Document outcomes and finalize plan for official endorsement.

1. DELIVERABLES AND WORKING SCHEDULE

Deliverable 1: Inception Report and Workplan

• Key Components: Methodology, detailed workplan, stakeholder mapping, consultation approach, information/data requirements, and proposed schedule.
• Duration: 7 working days

Deliverable 2: First Draft Timor-Leste Transition Plan

• Key Components: Development of transition plan fully aligned with the UNFPA Transition Plan Template.
• Duration: 13 working days

Deliverable 3: Consultative and Validation Workshop

• Key Components: Presentation of assessment and draft plan; stakeholder feedback and recommendations; validation and documentation of decisions; incorporation of stakeholder and Task Force feedback.
• Duration: 5 working days

Deliverable 4 and 5: Final Transition Plan (2027-2030) and Final Consultancy Report

• Key Components: Final endorsed plan incorporating all agreed comments and recommendations; summary of activities undertaken, consultations, key findings, challenges, recommendations, and next steps.
• Duration: 5 working days

Payment Terms: Lump sum payment upon completion and written acceptance of all deliverables by the UNFPA Country Office.

1. SUPERVISORY ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Timor-Leste Country Office. The Country Representative will provide strategic oversight and decision-making for this consultancy, particularly for the validation workshop facilitation.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Supply Chain Management Analyst and Sexual and Reproductive Health Analyst, with technical collaboration with the UNFPA APRO Supply Chain Specialist and APRO Sustainable Financing Specialist, and in close coordination with the National Transition Task Force.

The consultant will maintain regular communication with UNFPA and provide updates on progress, emerging issues, risks, and required decisions. The consultant is expected to work collaboratively and facilitate national ownership rather than independently developing the plan.

1. REQUIRED EXPERTISE, QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Education: Advanced university degree in Public Health, International Health Policy, Health Economics, Pharmacy, or Supply Chain Management.
• Professional Experience: At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in health systems, health financing, supply chain management, reproductive health commodity security, policy development, or related areas.
• Technical Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of commodity financing, procurement, and supply chain systems. Knowledge of reproductive health commodity security and the Timor-Leste health system is highly desirable.
• Institutional Experience: Experience working with the Government of Timor-Leste, preferably with the Ministry of Health and/or Ministry of Finance.
• Financing and Resource Mobilization: Understanding of domestic resource mobilization, health financing, and/or sustainable financing for health commodities is highly desirable.
• Partner Collaboration: Previous experience working with UN agencies, international development partners, or government institutions is an advantage.
• Languages: Working proficiency in English and local working languages as applicable.

1. INPUTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY UNFPA

The National Consultant will be provided a working desk at the UNFPA Timor-Leste Country Office if required to access high-speed internet, secure printing, and scanning facilities for the duration of the 30 working days. The consultant is expected to provide his/her own primary laptop.

1. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following application documents electronically to [email protected] no later than 26 November 2026 at 5:00 PM (Timor-Leste time):

1. Cover Letter outlining relevant experience and suitability for the assignment.
2. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
3. Financial Proposal indicating the daily professional fee and estimated total consultancy cost.