Costing, Revenue and Surplus Analysis Consultant at US Pharmacopeia

Scope of Work

USP was awarded Promoting the Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+) program, a USAID-funded global program designed to sustainably strengthen medical product quality assurance systems in low-and-middle income countries, including Kenya. PQM+ is currently seeking a local consultant to undertake a Costing, Revenue and Surplus Analysis of the Pharmaceutical National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL) in Kenya.

The NQCL is mandated to perform tests and analysis on medical products and to conduct research to ensure medicines and medical devices used in Kenya conform to international quality requirements for patient safety.

Brief Description of Purpose and Nature of the Assignment

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the PQM+ Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, coupled with specific technical guidance of the PQM+ technical team in Kenya and in Rockville, USA, the Costing, Revenue and Surplus Analysis Consultant will undertake a detailed financial costing assessment for medical product sample analysis at National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL) and give inputs to ensure that the laboratory is financially sustainable. This consultancy has a cumulative maximum period of performance of approximately 20 workdays, ending August 31, 2021.

Key Responsibilities/Tasks

1. Conduct a comprehensive desk review of NQCL financial reports, financial assessments and summarize NQCL’s financial challenges and opportunities
2. Determine standard costs for medical product sample testing and compare with prices charged by other similar quality control laboratories in the country and in the region to identify opportunities for improvement
3. Perform a Cost-Volume-Profitability (CVP) analysis, based on NQCL financial data and volume of sample testing
4. Prepare detailed report to help management make important decisions based on costs and benefits (e.g., investments, market growth, pricing changes)
5. Identify possible changes in processes or methods to determine  effects on overall costs and profitability
6. Estimate costs for NQCL’s existing and new service delivery models and recommend costing strategies that align closely with market trends in product quality testing
7. Forecast and analyze costs of testing processes and algorithms
8. Suggest cost-reducing strategies or profitable solutions
9. Conduct market research on costs/prices to support future business planning and strategic decision-making for the NQCL
10. Perform deep data analysis that may include potential pricing model changes, new business models and significant changes in processes
11. Propose creation of more cost-effective processes within NQCL that enhance productivity and quality of NQCL testing services
12. Perform cost allocation operations to provide basic information required for budgeting, accounting, and collection of service data for further cost analysis.
13. Recommend negotiated rate-card for certain services such as fast-tracked analysis of medical products.

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in the areas of Finance, Accounting, or similar field; Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred
2. Between 3 – 5 years’ proven experience in costing and management accounting of services
3. Proven practical experience as a Cost Analyst, Costing Specialist or a similar role
4. Experience in data processing, operational and financial analysis
5. Experience with public sector budgeting and financial accounting
6. Health sector experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of costing, financial accounting, and management accounting processes
2. Excellent analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities.
3. Possess managerial and good communication skills
4. Excellent analytical and report writing skills
5. Good interpersonal skills
6. Results driven with demonstrated ability to achieve successful outcomes
7. Must possess ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
8. Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft office suite (word processing, email, spreadsheet, database, and Internet)
9. Effective team player, and experience with short term project implementation at national and local levels

Deliverables

1. Report of the comprehensive desk review of NQCL financial reports, financial assessments summarizing financial challenges and opportunities
2. Report on the comparison of NQCL’s analysis charges as compared to other similar private-sector, national and regional testing laboratories
3. A report of analysis of NQCL revenues, costs and surpluses/deficits; and recommended strategies for attaining financial cost-effectiveness and sustainability
4. Report on Cost-Volume-Profitability (CVP) analysis, based on NQCL financial data and volume of sample testing