Call for Applications: Technical Assistance for Health Manufacturing (Nigeria)

UNICEF has launched a Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) seeking an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) or International Civil Society Organization (ICSO) to strengthen the local manufacturing of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) commodities in Nigeria. The selected partner will support value chain mapping, technical assistance, manufacturer capacity building, and the development of a fair pricing framework to improve the availability and affordability of essential healthcare products.

UNICEF Call for Expression of Interest: Strengthening Local Manufacturing of MNCH Commodities in Nigeria

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting qualified International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) and International Civil Society Organizations (ICSOs) to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a strategic health systems strengthening initiative in Nigeria.

The partnership aims to enhance the country’s capacity to locally manufacture priority Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) commodities by strengthening production systems, improving regulatory compliance, supporting investment, and developing sustainable pricing mechanisms.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC).

Program Overview

The initiative seeks to build a stronger and more resilient healthcare manufacturing ecosystem by supporting local production of essential MNCH commodities.

The programme will:

• Strengthen local pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturing.
• Improve access to lifesaving maternal and child health products.
• Increase production capacity and product quality.
• Enhance regulatory compliance.
• Improve affordability through fair pricing mechanisms.
• Encourage investment and technology transfer.
• Strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.

The assignment will be implemented in three phases, moving from assessment and planning to technical support and finally to pricing and market sustainability.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Map the value chains of priority MNCH commodities.
• Identify manufacturers capable of local production.
• Strengthen local manufacturing capacity.
• Improve quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Support investment readiness.
• Facilitate technology transfer and strategic partnerships.
• Improve production efficiency.
• Develop a practical price regulation framework.
• Increase the availability and affordability of essential health commodities.

Focus Areas

The selected partner will support activities in several technical areas, including:

• Value chain mapping
• Market analysis
• Identification of priority MNCH commodities
• Assessment of local and international manufacturers
• Production capacity strengthening
• Regulatory compliance
• Quality management systems
• Production optimization
• Workforce development
• Digital traceability
• Technology transfer
• Investment readiness
• Access to financing
• Procurement and demand analysis
• Cost competitiveness
• Price regulation framework development
• Sustainable pricing mechanisms

Implementation Phases

Phase 1: Value Chain Assessment

The first phase focuses on understanding Nigeria’s current manufacturing landscape.

Key activities include:

• Mapping value chains for priority MNCH commodities.
• Identifying manufacturers with local production potential.
• Assessing manufacturing capacity.
• Evaluating production processes.
• Reviewing regulatory and policy constraints.
• Analysing market demand.
• Identifying financing opportunities.
• Generating evidence to guide future investments and technical assistance.

This phase establishes the foundation for strengthening local production.

Phase 2: Technical Assistance and Capacity Strengthening

During the second phase, selected manufacturers will receive tailored technical support.

Activities include:

• Improving manufacturing capacity.
• Strengthening quality management systems.
• Supporting regulatory compliance.
• Increasing operational efficiency.
• Enhancing workforce skills.
• Introducing digital traceability systems.
• Improving investment readiness.
• Facilitating technology transfer.
• Supporting licensing arrangements.
• Encouraging joint ventures.
• Promoting contract manufacturing partnerships.
• Connecting manufacturers with financing opportunities.

The objective is to help manufacturers produce high-quality MNCH commodities that meet national and international standards.

Phase 3: Price Regulation Framework

The final phase focuses on improving affordability and market sustainability.

Activities include:

• Analysing production costs.
• Assessing pricing structures.
• Identifying barriers affecting local and imported products.
• Developing fair pricing principles.
• Selecting pilot MNCH commodities.
• Designing a practical price regulation framework.
• Supporting government agencies in implementing pricing mechanisms.

The framework aims to balance affordability for patients with sustainability for manufacturers.

Who Can Apply?

The Call for Expression of Interest is open to:

• International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)
• International Civil Society Organizations (ICSOs)

Applicants should demonstrate strong expertise in areas such as:

• Health systems strengthening
• Healthcare manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical value chains
• Supply chain management
• Market analysis
• Technical assistance
• Regulatory systems
• Capacity development
• Investment facilitation
• Public health programmes

Experience working with governments, manufacturers, development partners, and healthcare stakeholders is highly desirable.

Expected Outcomes

The initiative seeks to achieve the following results:

• Stronger local manufacturing capacity.
• Increased availability of essential MNCH commodities.
• Improved compliance with regulatory standards.
• Better production efficiency.
• Increased investment in healthcare manufacturing.
• Enhanced collaboration between local and international manufacturers.
• Sustainable pricing mechanisms.
• Improved access to affordable maternal and child health products.
• A more resilient healthcare value chain in Nigeria.

Why This Initiative Matters

Nigeria continues to rely heavily on imported health commodities, making the healthcare system vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, currency fluctuations, and rising procurement costs.

Strengthening domestic manufacturing can:

• Improve medicine availability.
• Reduce dependence on imports.
• Increase healthcare security.
• Create skilled employment opportunities.
• Support industrial development.
• Strengthen supply chain resilience.
• Improve access to affordable healthcare products.
• Enhance maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes.

The initiative also supports broader efforts to build a competitive and sustainable healthcare manufacturing sector.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should generally follow these steps:

1. Review the Call for Expression of Interest and eligibility requirements.
2. Demonstrate organizational experience in healthcare manufacturing and value chain strengthening.
3. Prepare a technical proposal outlining the proposed implementation approach.
4. Highlight relevant expertise, partnerships, and previous project experience.
5. Submit the Expression of Interest before the official deadline.

Applicants should ensure that all required documentation is complete and clearly demonstrates their technical capacity.

Tips for a Strong Expression of Interest

Organizations can strengthen their submission by:

• Demonstrating experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and health systems.
• Showing expertise in value chain analysis and market assessments.
• Highlighting successful capacity-building projects.
• Presenting practical strategies for regulatory compliance.
• Including experience in investment facilitation and technology transfer.
• Demonstrating partnerships with manufacturers and government agencies.
• Proposing realistic implementation methodologies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues when preparing an application:

• Providing limited evidence of healthcare manufacturing expertise.
• Failing to demonstrate experience with value chain strengthening.
• Submitting incomplete technical proposals.
• Ignoring regulatory and pricing considerations.
• Presenting unrealistic implementation plans.
• Not explaining previous experience working with government or development partners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this UNICEF Call for Expression of Interest?

The initiative seeks an experienced international organization to strengthen Nigeria’s local manufacturing of maternal, newborn, and child health commodities through value chain analysis, technical assistance, and pricing reforms.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) and International Civil Society Organizations (ICSOs) with relevant technical expertise.

What are MNCH commodities?

MNCH commodities are essential Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health products used to improve healthcare outcomes for mothers, newborns, and children.

How will the project be implemented?

The assignment will be delivered in three phases covering value chain assessment, manufacturer capacity strengthening, and the development of a price regulation framework.

What technical areas will the project address?

The initiative covers value chain mapping, manufacturing capacity, regulatory compliance, financing, technology transfer, production optimization, market analysis, and sustainable pricing.

Who is implementing the initiative?

The programme is led by UNICEF in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC).

Why is local manufacturing important?

Local manufacturing helps improve the availability, affordability, and quality of essential healthcare products while reducing dependence on imports and strengthening national healthcare resilience.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Call for Expression of Interest to Strengthen Local Manufacturing of MNCH Commodities in Nigeria presents an important opportunity for experienced international organizations to support the country’s healthcare manufacturing sector. Through value chain mapping, technical assistance, investment support, and the development of fair pricing mechanisms, the initiative aims to improve access to high-quality maternal, newborn, and child health commodities while building a stronger, more competitive, and resilient healthcare value chain in Nigeria.