Job Description

John Snow India Private Limited (JSIPL)

Scope of Work (SoW)

Position Name: Consultant – TB Pharmaceutical Development and Public Health Strategy

Position Type:  Short-term Consultant 

Company/Division:  JSIPL/ TIFA Project

Location: New Delhi

Position Duration: December 2024 – May 2025

Organizational Background:

John Snow India Private Limited (JSIPL) is a leading public health organization in India, dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities across the country. JSIPL was established in 2013 with a vision to be a catalyst for strengthening public health initiatives in India for improving the lives of individuals and communities. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable communities through innovative, evidence-informed, and replicable strategies in partnership with government, private sector and civil society. Over the years, JSIPL has become a recognized leader for its innovative approaches in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), family planning (FP), immunization, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases, nutrition, supply chain management, monitoring & evaluation and health system strengthening. We are providing technical expertise in implementing projects in partnership with USAID, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and GAVI, amongst other leading stakeholders.

Project Overview: 

The Tuberculosis Implementation Framework Agreement (TIFA) Project is an eight-year (2019-2027) cooperative agreement funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). JSI implements TIFA in partnership with Open Development. TIFA aims to strengthen and sustain country ownership and accountability by funding national TB programs, empowering local entities, and advocating for domestic resources for TB. In India, TIFA funds catalytic activities to support the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) to address challenges or gaps in the TB control response.

Position Summary:

The Central TB Division (CTD), guided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), is implementing the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) with the aim of making India TBfree. The NTEP is crucial in ensuring the consistent availability and timely supply of quality-assured antiTB drugs across India. The program focuses on enhancing supply chain management and implementing robust quality assurance measures to maintain a steady supply of high-quality medications, ensuring effective and timely treatment for those affected by TB. Through these efforts, the NTEP aims to overcome challenges and provide the best possible care to people with TB.

In this context, the CTD seeks a specialized Drug Expert and Policy Consultant to provide comprehensive insights into the pharmaceutical landscape, with a specific focus on anti-tuberculosis drug manufacturing, including the availability of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). The consultant will analyze demand and supply dynamics, assess drug quality (including bioavailability and shelf life), and identify opportunities to overcome challenges in the Indian market. Additionally, the consultant will evaluate the feasibility, viability, and desirability of building the capacity of an Indian public sector unit to manufacture anti-TB drugs. This role also involves examining legal and compliance matters related to anti-TB drug manufacturing in India and understanding the relevant regulatory bodies to ensure adherence to Indian compliance standards. By leveraging this expertise, the CTD aims to address supply chain vulnerabilities, streamline regulatory processes, and maintain a continuous supply of high-quality drugs, contributing significantly to India’s TB elimination goals.

Responsibilities:

The Consultant will work closely with the leadership of the Central TB Division (CTD) and the WHO TB focal point and other relevant partners to provide expert guidance in understanding and navigating the pharmaceutical landscape for TB drugs in alignment with the national TB program's objectives. The specific responsibilities include:

Conduct an in-depth analysis of the pharmaceutical industry’s manufacturing capacity for antituberculosis (TB) drugs, with a focus on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) availability, demand and supply dynamics, and key market trends.

Assess and identify risks of TB drug shortages, stock-outs, or substandard quality, and develop targeted risk mitigation strategies.

Evaluate drug quality metrics, including bioavailability and shelf life, ensuring compliance with global best practices for API standards and manufacturing protocols.

Explore solutions to address quality challenges of TB drugs in the Indian market and provide strategic recommendations for quality improvement.

Analyze the feasibility, viability, and desirability of strengthening Indian public sector capacity for manufacturing anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Advise on legal and regulatory compliance, ensuring that all manufacturing processes meet domestic and international standards for TB drugs.

Identify potential public-private partnership opportunities to enhance the accessibility and affordability of quality TB drugs in India.

Support the development and refinement of national guidelines on TB drug usage, procurement policies, and supply chain management to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Provide expert insights on policy reforms that could stimulate innovation and improve outcomes in TB drug development.

Conduct training sessions and workshops for national and state-level program managers and other NTEP stakeholders on drug regulations, quality control, and advancements in TB drug development.

Qualification and Skills:

The ideal candidate should have:

An advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine, Public Health, or a related field with a focus on drug manufacturing, regulatory affairs, or clinical pharmacology.

A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, or national health programs, with a specific focus on tuberculosis (TB) or other infectious diseases.

In-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical landscape in India, particularly in the production and regulation of anti-tuberculosis drugs, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

Proven expertise in evaluating drug quality, including bioavailability and shelf life, and ensuring compliance with international and national standards.

Experience working with national and international regulatory bodies (e.g., DCGI, WHO Prequalification) and a track record of successfully navigating regulatory pathways for TB drugs.

Strong understanding of legal and compliance matters related to pharmaceutical manufacturing in India, including familiarity with relevant regulatory bodies and guidelines.

Demonstrated ability to assess supply chain dynamics and develop strategic solutions to address demand and supply challenges in the pharmaceutical sector.

Excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and recommend innovative solutions to enhance the availability and quality of TB drugs in India.

Experience in building capacity for public sector units or collaborating with public-private partnerships in the pharmaceutical industry is highly desirable.

Strong communication and leadership skills, with the capability to train and support national and state-level program managers and stakeholders through workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions.

Important:

JSIPL will evaluate the candidature on the basis of the individual’s background, profile and qualifications and will call only the shortlisted candidates for a personal discussion.

JSIPL subscribes to a policy of equal opportunity. Applicants for employment/consulting assignment will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, caste, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, genetic information, political affiliation, or military status (special disabled veterans or veteran status) in any employment/consultant engagement decisions.  

JSIPL is a child-safe organization, and the safety and well-being of children is a priority of our organization. We have robust recruitment/engagement procedures to ensure that all staff/consultants are suited to work with the children served by our programs.

JSIPL is committed to provide protection against sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse to all the individuals at our workplace and to ensure that they are treated with equality and dignity.

Application Process:  

Please review the detailed Scope of Work and submit your application at the following link: 

https://forms.gle/U4iQrzN7zkHfnFxo6

Your application should consist of the following: 

Detailed Resume 

Duly filled Application Form 

Please note that the last date of applying for this position is Sunday, 1 December 2024 and only the shortlisted candidates will be called for the interview.  

About Company

John Snow India Private Limited (JSI India), a subsidiary of JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation registered in the state of Massachusetts, USA, is a leading public health organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities across the country. We develop and implement high-impact, sustainable, and locally-owned public health initiatives. A robust interface and relationships with the government, private sector, and civil society allows us to convene and collaborate, innovate, inform policy, and develop sustainable & scalable models of programs. Over the years, JSI India has become a recognized leader for its innovative approaches in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH), Immunization, urban health, Tuberculosis, nutrition, supply chain management, monitoring & evaluation, and health system strengthening. We are implementing projects funded by USAID, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, GAVI, and other leading donors.

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