Policy Analyst - Remote can be located in Eastern Africa/Southern Africa

“Contingent search in support of a proposal, positions will be available upon award”

Introduction

The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USP) is a scientific and independent nonprofit organization that has been advancing public health and expanding access to quality medical products for 200 years. Our mission is to improve global health through public standards and related programs that help ensure the quality, safety, and benefit of medicines and foods. Our standards are legally recognized in 40 countries, are used in 140 countries, and help ensure that over 300 million people worldwide have access to quality medicines (USP). In Africa, USP has a strong commitment and history of working across the continent with numerous stakeholders, including governments, regulating bodies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

USP is seeking a Trade Expert to provide technical assistance in areas, such as provide technical support to selected Africa Regional Economic communities on assessment of the Manufacturing Capacity, Pharmaceutical Trade Performance and Policy and Regulatory Framework. Technical support may include, assessing the capacity constraints in pharmaceutical manufacturing, assessing the pharmaceutical trade performance and supply chain integrity, and assessing policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks governing trade in pharmaceutical products and come up with a model policy for trade facilitation.

Position Overview

The Trade Expert will be responsible for analyzing and assessing trade policies, trade performance, and supply chain integrity related to the pharmaceutical industry in selected regional economic blocks of Africa. The role requires a thorough understanding of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), regional integration agenda and the pharmaceutical industry to propose strategies for improving trade facilitation and regional integration

Specific Tasks include, but is not limited to:

1. Review existing trade policies and regulations: Analyze trade policies related to pharmaceutical products and inputs (APIs, excipients, etc.). Identify key drivers of pharmaceutical input and product trade in the selected regional economic blocks, assess their impact on regional trade and identify potential barriers.
2. Assess trade performance: Analyze trade data for selected pharmaceutical inputs and final products. Calculate trade performance indicators (e.g., ITC Trade Performance Index) to understand regional trade patterns.
3. Identify trade barriers: Analyze both border and beyond-the-border constraints hindering pharmaceutical trade in the region. Examples include tariffs and non-tariff barriers and regulatory discrepancies
4. Evaluate supply chain integrity: Define and assess the integrity and security of the pharmaceutical supply chain for selected products. Identify vulnerabilities and potential risks. Map and analyze customs systems and procedures, including the use of Harmonized System (HS) codes for tracer commodities.
5. Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with industry associations, manufacturers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to gather insights and validate findings. Participate in stakeholder engagement meetings to present draft reports and incorporate feedback.
6. Propose policy reforms: Based on the findings, propose strategies, initiatives, and policy reforms to enhance trade, integrity, and security of regional supply chains for pharmaceutical inputs and products. Contribute expertise in trade-related aspects to develop a model policy for pharmaceutical trade facilitation selected regional economic blocks of Africa.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in economics, Health Economics, International Trade, Development Economics, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in trade policy analysis and regional integration research.
• Demonstrated understanding of Africa’s regional integration agenda and the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven experience in conducting trade policy research and analysis using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Experience in formulating policy briefs and advocating for trade policy reforms.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English; Arabic or French language skills a plus.