Avis d’appel à manifestation d’intérêt pour le recrutement d’un Consultant individuel Expert en propriété intellectuelle et en licences de technologie, Fondation africaine pour les technologies pharmaceutiques

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

1. The African Development Bank hereby invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the following Assignment: IP and Technology Licensing Expert, African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation

2. The services to be provided under the Assignment include:
   • Manage alliances and requests for technology negotiations and licensing;

• • Draft research collaboration agreements, IP licensing agreements and other partnership documents as needed to further the APTF’s work programmes, identifying and resolving risks, including technology evaluation, identifying potential partners, create collaterals/ technology briefs for outreach and manage reach-out, transaction closure as required by APTF stakeholders;
  • Providing guidance, review, and assist in negotiation of IP language in technology contracts and assist in managing industry collaborations for R&D and product development on behalf of the APTF;
  • Create and support the provision of IP landscapes, patentability criteria, Freedom-to-Operate opinions, and due diligence assessments for R&D pipeline programs and business development opportunities;
  • Assess the techno-commercial merit of IPRs and invention disclosures as applicable in technology negotiations and technology partnership contracts;
  • Conduct patent claims review and IP analytics as and when applicable;
  • Organize IP and technology transfer related trainings and programs for various stakeholders as applicable within APTF core mandates;
  • Promote IP commercialization options in the African pharmaceutical sector including in its public sector;
  • Develop grant proposals as required for the Foundation in areas of relevance to its lighthouse programmes, identifying critical milestones and achievable targets;
  • Review proposals for support received by the Foundation for pharmaceutical sector support and participation in its lighthouse programmes by companies, R&D institutions, to advise the iCEO;
  • Work closely with APTF grantees/partners to increase the likelihood of success of its programmes, through facilitating partnerships, modifying scope or direction, and serving as a thought partner.
  • Work closely with the iCEO to develop programme monitoring indicators for the various APTF programmes, as applicable;
  • Represent the foundation externally in meetings; organize and run convenings as appropriate.
  • Conduct any additional activities as required and delegated.

3. The Industrial and Trade Development Department (PITD) invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.).
4. The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the Bank’s Rules and Procedure for the Use of Consultants. Please, note that interest expressed by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist.
5. The duration of the services is 12 months (to be renewed based on performance and applicable Bank procurement rules). The expected starting date is December 2023. Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours from 08:00 to 17:00H, Abidjan local time
6. Expressions of interest must be received by email no later than 14 November 2023 at 5pm Abidjan local time and specifically mentioning APTF Licensing Expert.

For the attention of: Mr. Thomas VIOT

African Development Bank

E-mail: T.VIOT@AFDB.ORG

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SHORT LIST

7. A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end the request of expressions of interest. The consultants on the shortlist will be judged on the following criteria on the basis of their updated resume.

IP and Technology Licensing Expert

African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TORs)

1. Introduction

The African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation (APTF) is a pan African agency situated in Kigali, Rwanda, set up by the African Development Bank and backed by the African Union Member States. It works to increase access to, and facilitate the development of technologies in, the African pharmaceutical sector. Working with an innovative approach, the APTF partners with governments, African and international industry stakeholders, international organizations, regional African agencies, development banks and others to promote licensing of, and access to, all forms of pharmaceutical technologies in Africa, across the entire pharmaceutical supply chain.

2. Main Duties/ Responsibilities

The Senior Expert on IP and Technology Licensing is a key member of the Technology Licensing Unit of the APTF, with the responsibility of providing a full range of IP support to advance APTF’s objectives. Reporting to and working under the supervision of the i.Chief Executive Officer of the APTF, she/ he will be responsible for the following functions:

• • Manage alliances and requests for technology negotiations and licensing;
  • Draft research collaboration agreements, IP licensing agreements and other partnership documents as needed to further the APTF’s work programmes, identifying and resolving risks, including technology evaluation, identifying potential partners, create collaterals/ technology briefs for outreach and manage reach-out, transaction closure as required by APTF stakeholders;
  • Providing guidance, review, and assist in negotiation of IP language in technology contracts and assist in managing industry collaborations for R&D and product development on behalf of the APTF;
  • Create and support the provision of IP landscapes, patentability criteria, Freedom-to-Operate opinions, and due diligence assessments for R&D pipeline programs and business development opportunities;
  • Assess the techno-commercial merit of IPRs and invention disclosures as applicable in technology negotiations and technology partnership contracts;
  • Conduct patent claims review and IP analytics as and when applicable;
  • Organize IP and technology transfer related trainings and programs for various stakeholders as applicable within APTF core mandates;
  • Promote IP commercialization options in the African pharmaceutical sector including in its public sector;
  • Develop grant proposals as required for the Foundation in areas of relevance to its lighthouse programmes, identifying critical milestones and achievable targets;
  • Review proposals for support received by the Foundation for pharmaceutical sector support and participation in its lighthouse programmes by companies, R&D institutions, to advise the iCEO;
  • Work closely with APTF grantees/partners to increase the likelihood of success of its programmes, through facilitating partnerships, modifying scope or direction, and serving as a thought partner.
  • Work closely with the iCEO to develop programme monitoring indicators for the various APTF programmes, as applicable;
  • Represent the foundation externally in meetings; organize and run convenings as appropriate.
  • Conduct any additional activities as required and delegated.

3. Technical Qualifications

• • A JSD/ PhD or a Masters (LLM/ MLS) an accredited law university with equivalent experience, and relevant experience in practice in IP law of relevance to the pharmaceutical sector.
  • Additional knowledge of Chemistry or related scientific discipline with significant experience in the drafting and prosecution of chemistry or biology-based patents.
  • 8+ years of demonstrated experience prosecuting and preparing technically relevant patent applications at a law firm and/or corporate legal department in a pharmaceutical company.
  • Meaningful preparation and prosecution experience with biotechnology or biopharmaceutical subject matter.
  • Experience with business development agreements with IP implications.
  • Experience with post-grant proceedings and regulatory exclusivity issues is a plus.
  • Experience with clearance, identification, and mitigation of third-party IP challenges is a plus.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Capacity to communicate complicated intellectual property issues to scientists, management, and business leaders equally, with strong abilities to work in teams.
  • Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail, with ability recognize, assess, and respond to urgent matters with timely, practical, and clear solutions.
  • Advanced organizational skills with the ability to manage and drive projects cross-functionally in new environments.

4. Personal qualities

APTF is a new agency dedicated to offer support to Africa’s pharmaceutical sector. It works with a small and dynamic team based in Kigali, Rwanda, with the core values of empowerment, commitment, and excellent attention to detail to building Africa’s pharmaceutical sector. The following personal qualities are desirable in the ideal candidate:

• Ability to work with short deadlines and adapt existing expertise to new areas of work, and new companies.
• Ability to creatively respond to new requests from APTF stakeholders, contributing actively to build its new organizational culture.
• Ability to work with senior experts and global leaders who are on APTF’s Board of Directors and its Eminent Advisory Council.
• Sensitivity to different cultures and work styles.

5. Administration/reporting

The Expert will report to the i.CEO of the APTF and any other focal point as assigned by the i.CEO of the APTF.

The consultant will be required to present monthly reports that highlight his/ her work program and deliverables.

6. Duration and Location of the Assignment

The assignment will be for a period of one year starting on 01 December 2023 and may be renewed based on the recommendations of the PITD Director, the i.CEO of the APTF and the Director General, Cabinet Office of the President.

As soon as the APTF offices are set up, the consultant is expected to work full time in APTF’s office in Kigali, Rwanda (place of the contract).

7. Reference

The bidder is requested to quote the DACON reference number when submitting bids.

8. Application Process

Interested consultants are invited to apply by submitting Technical and Financial bids that also incorporate the following application documents:

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV);
2. Letter of Motivation outlining how your experience, skills, qualifications and professional networks fit with the required deliverables (one page maximum);

All communications and queries related to this call should be addressed to

T.VIOT@AFDB.ORG

With object: APTF Licensing Expert.