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Ref.
2026/ILE/15918

Job offer type
Experts

Type of contract
Service contract

Deadline date
2026/08/15 23:59

Duration of the assignment
Beaded expertise

Contract
Freelancer

Duration
1 an renouvelable

Mission description

The post is home-based with field missions to 13 countries of the project. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Team Leader and the Programme Management Unit of Project Medisafe Phase 2 and under the direct supervision of the Lead Legal Expert.

 

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

  • Develop, implement and report on the activities related to the legal domain as described in the Programme of Action of the Project Medisafe Phase 2 of Expertise France and develop, update the  conceptual and structural approaches of capacity building and the transfer of competencies and an operational mechanism for addressing the legal problems/gaps related to effectively prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute SFMP cases and propose international and national actions to Substandard and Falsified Medical Products (SFMP)and propose international and national actions.
  • Monitor and analyze project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; ensure follow-up actions.
  • Develop and implement innovative approaches and activities under the programme needed by the legal sector in the project beneficiary countries and the regions of Eastern and Southern Africa and West Africa.
  • Undertake and oversee the programmatic tasks necessary to operationalize the project in the Legal domain with the Programme Management Team, relevant national, regional and international stakeholders and relevant private sector partners, to ensure flow of information;
  • Research, analyse and present legal information on SFMP gathered from different reliable sources.
  • Prepare a work plan for the Legal sector in line with the project document.
  • Prepare short narratives and power point presentations of specialist training materials for the legal Sector.
  • Conduct specialist training online and face-to-face in countries during national and regional fora in countries.
  • Facilitate classroom Mock Trials for the Legal professionals in the participating countries and the region.

·       Support knowledge transfer and training-of-trainers initiatives aimed at strengthening sustainable national training capacities.

·       Conduct training needs assessments and advisory missions.

  • Mentor officers of the Legal profession from the National Medicine Regulatory Authorities/Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, the Attorney’s General Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on best practices to effectively prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute SFMP cases.
  • Organize and prepare written outputs of activities conducted, with a narrative section and a data analytical section.
  • Develop, administer both a pre-test and post-test of training and mentoring exercises and report on the analysis of the results.
  • Contribute to regional conferences, workshops, expert meetings and professional exchanges. 
  • Has experience integrating human rights standards, ethical considerations, non-discrimination principles, and gender- and age-sensitive approaches into training and operational practices;
  • Has excellent presentation, facilitation and communication skills.
  • Possess the ability to work in multicultural and multinational environments.
  • Demonstrate gender awareness and ability to integrate gender perspectives into training and operational activities.
  • Is willing and able to travel for assignments.
  • Provide expert advice on integrating human rights principles, non-discrimination standards, privacy safeguards, and gender- and age-sensitive approaches into behavioural analysis and interviewing practices.
  •  Prepare technical reports, assessments and recommendations.

Project or context description

Substandard and Falsified Medical Products (SFMP) constitute a major health, economic and security threat in Africa. The World Health Organization estimates that one in ten medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries is substandard or falsified, causing more than 250 000 preventable deaths per year. In response to this challenge, Expertise France is implementing the MEDISAFE Phase 2 programme with the financial support of the European Union (NDICI).

MEDISAFE Phase 1 (2018-2023) covered 11 countries in East and Central Africa (Burundi, DRC, Ghana, Ethiopia, Seychelles, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia). It produced the Reference Manual on SFMP Legislation - An African Perspective, A National Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Security Guide, A Communication Strategy on  SFMP, as well as the roadmap adopted in Nairobi in April 2022. It brought together more than 300 participants across 14 regional and national events, in partnership with the European Union CBRN Network, the African Union, AUDA-NEPAD, UNODC, WHO (HQ. Geneva) and WHO AFRO (Brazzaville), INTERPOL HQ in Lyon, France, INTERPOL Regional Bureau in Nairobi, INTERPOL National Central Bureaus (NCBs) and the Council of Europe.

MEDISAFE 2.0 extends and broadens this first phase: a four-year project, funded by the European Union (NDICI) for a total amount of EUR 9 000 000, implemented by Expertise France under indirect management via a contribution agreement with the European Union Delegation (EUD) in Nigeria. It covers 13 countries grouped in two regional clusters:

Cluster A (West Africa): Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea (Conakry), Nigeria, Senegal, Togo.

Cluster B (East and Southern Africa): Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia.

In line with the action document approach, the project distinguishes the countries that benefited from MEDISAFE Phase 1, seven of the 13 namely Ghana, Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia, from the newly added countries. It combines activities tailored to the maturity level of the new countries, capitalization, lessons learnt, consolidation of activities for the former, and cross-cutting regional activities bringing the two groups together (peer mentoring, experience-sharing, operational coordination).

Overall objective: To mitigate the health, economic and security threats posed by (SFMP) in West and East Africa.

The project pursues this objective through three complementary specific objectives, linked within a single theory of change and all embodying an inclusive and gender-sensitive approach:

•     SO1 - National and regional legal capacities to combat SFMP are strengthened through an inclusive and gender-sensitive harmonization of legal frameworks and the implementation of key regulations.

•     SO2 - The capacity of national and regional legal and law enforcement actors to detect, investigate and combat SFMP is strengthened through the optimization of inclusive operational procedures, improved intelligence and the development of transnational cooperation responding to the specific needs of the most vulnerable, in particular women and children.

•     SO3 - The supply chain is strengthened and secured, and public awareness of SFMP is increased, through inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches, by promoting the active role of women health professionals, women-led community-based organizations and caregivers, in order to ensure people's safety and equitable access to safe and effective medical products.

Specific Objective (SO1): The national and regional legal capacities to fight SFMP are enhanced through inclusive and gender responsive harmonization of legal frameworks and implementation of key regulations

These terms of reference fall under the legal component (SO1), to which two outputs contribute:

Contributing to SO1

OP 1.1 By 2030, at least ten partner countries have aligned national pharmaceutical and penal legislation with the AU Model Law and Medicrime Convention, incorporating clear definitions, offences, and sanctions related to SFMP. Each country will have conducted at least one national legal gap assessment validated by the Ministry of Justice and Health.

OP 1.2 At least six regulatory or procedural instruments (e.g. inspection protocols, post-marketing surveillance guidelines, or traceability regulations) are operationalized and applied by NRAs.

Required profile

Competencies

  • Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence, expert knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to SFMP and commitment to quality outcomes, Has strong analytical skills with the ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.. Is able to draft reports and papers clearly and concisely. Has good understanding/conceptual knowledge of information systems and electronic communication platforms. Has the ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to  management. Is able to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and  manage conflicting priorities. Is able to work in a multi-cultural environment. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
  • Communication: Has strong  organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, including proven ability to communicate effectively with government officials and non-State actors. Conveys information clearly and listening actively 
  • Team Work: Has the ability to collaborate effectively and seamlessly across individuals and teams.
  • Respect for Diversity: Valuing and leveraging differences in culture, experience, and perspective.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, International Law, or in a related field, is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in designing, managing and implementing large complex programmes in law is required. Work with an international or regional organization is an advantage. Work experience in programme and project management, and coordination or a related area, at the national and the international level, with a proven track record of successfully undertaking capacity-building and mentoring is required. Work experience with national or international Legal institutions or bodies, regulatory agencies in promoting inter-agency coordination and cross-border cooperation with relevant authorities is required. Work experience in developing, deploying, and delivering technological tools, intelligence-sharing systems, capacity building programmes, and training to legal or regulatory  officers in developing countries is desirable.

Languages

A high proficiency in spoken, reading and writing English and/or French are required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Indicative volume

As required (targeted mobilisation, extensible according to the country’s needs).

Additional information

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Indicative volume

As required (targeted mobilisation, extensible according to the country’s needs).

Contract for a period of one year, renewable

Selection criteria for applications

The selection process for candidates will be based on the following criteria :

  • Candidate’s training/skills/experience
  • Candidate’s training/diplomas related to the expert assignment
  • Candidate’s skills linked with the expert mission
  • Candidate’s experiences linked with the expert mission
  • Candidate’s expected linguistic understanding

Deadline for application : 2026/08/15 23:59

File(s) attached : ToR_International_Legal_Expert_RA_28.07.2026.docx

Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :

  • democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
  • peace, stability, and security ;
  • climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
  • health and human development ;

In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results. 

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