Consultancy: Facilitation and Content Development for the Policy Dialogue & Lobbying EPN Think-Tank Workshop In Zambia

Consultancy: Facilitation and Content Development for the Policy Dialogue & Lobbying EPN Think-Tank Workshop In Zambia

Date of workshop: 5-6 October 2026

Application Deadline: 14 June 2026.

Background

The Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) is an international non-profit organization comprising of Christian health associations, Drug supply organizations and healthcare providers who work together to promote quality pharmaceutical services. Currently, the global health financing landscape is undergoing a profound shift, with external assistance for health in Sub-Saharan Africa projected to fall by as much as 30% to 40%. As donor funding declines, the sustainability of church health systems increasingly depends on their ability to secure recognition and resources within national health governance and domestic budget structures.

To address this, EPN is convening a closed, two-day pre-conference workshop during it’s 10th Biennial Forum in October 2026, for senior CHA and DSO leadership and is seeking a consultant to facilitate this high-level meeting. The workshop aims to sharpen strategic approaches to government engagement, navigate the “New Public Health Order,” and ensure that faith-based organizations (FBOs) are meaningfully integrated into Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and budget accountability frameworks. It is designed to position Christian Health Associations (CHAs) and Drug Supply Organizations (DSOs) for greater influence in health governance and sustainable domestic financing. The pre-conference workshop will not only focus on learning and exchange but will also produce concrete advocacy outputs that will feed directly into the EPN Forum discussions.

Objectives

The main objective of this consultancy is to develop content and facilitate a practical and strategic 2-day session that equips participants to:

1. Understand the national health policy-making processes and pinpoint where and with whom CHAs and DSOs can influence health financing decisions.
2. Analyze the health budget-making cycle in their countries, highlighting key stages and pinpointing key concrete opportunities for advocacy and lobbying.
3. Utilize the EPN Advocacy Strategy to plan coordinated actions of EPN members (?) targeting domestic health financing and budget decisions.
4. Design practical approaches for pre-budget dialogue, hearings, and post-budget tracking to influence and monitor health financing outcomes.
5. Gain skills to help them facilitate country health budget mapping and share experiences and lessons on government engagement and health financing advocacy to strengthen collective learning and collaboration within EPN.
6. Develop country-specific advocacy priorities and engagement strategies that can guide future dialogue with national decision-makers.

To support the achievement of these workshop objectives, EPN seeks to engage a consultant who will provide strategic facilitation and technical support for the design and implementation of the pre-conference workshop. The consultancy is expected to guide the process in a structured and interactive manner, enabling participants to engage in meaningful policy dialogue, share experiences, and develop practical advocacy priorities related to domestic health financing and governance. The consultant will work closely with the EPN Policy and Advocacy team to:

1. Design an interactive workshop format that promotes peer learning, strategic reflection, and policy dialogue.
2. Facilitate discussions among senior leaders from CHAs and DSOs.
3. Guide participants in identifying advocacy priorities and engagement strategies related to domestic health financing.
4. Support the generation of concrete workshop outputs, including country-level advocacy priorities and key policy messages that will inform discussions during the EPN Forum.

Scope of work

The consultant will;

Before the pre-conference workshop

1. Conduct a joint review of the workshop program with the EPN team to finalize topics, followed by the development of technical training modules and materials.
2. Develop the workshop methodology and facilitation approach
3. Develop case studies of successful policy influence examples (including FBO examples)
4. Design simulation exercises, including mock policy dialogues with Ministries of Health/Finance and budget mapping poster presentations
5. Develop workshop materials such as presentations, training modules, and facilitation guides.
6. Design the budget mapping poster template and provide guidance to participants.
7. Review submitted country inputs in order to tailor the workshop sessions to the realities of participating countries.

During the pre-conference workshop

• Lead the facilitation of the 2-day workshop as a moderator (co-moderator with EPN’s Policy and Advocacy Advisor).
• Guide participants to develop country-specific “lobbying roadmaps” and prioritize 3 to 5 policy asks per country.
• Co-design and facilitate structured sessions that help participants identify:
  • • a). Key policy entry points
    • b). Priority advocacy messages
    • c). Relevant national stakeholders.

After the pre-conference workshop

1. Prepare a protocol with relevant outcomes, main discussions, key insights and decisions and lessons learned

Expected Deliverables

1. Inception Report highlighting workshop including methodology and finalized agenda.
2. Workshop Materials i.e. Training Module, Comprehensive slide decks, case studies (successful FBO policy influence examples), and simulation briefs.
3. Design the technical template and data requirements for the “Budget Mapping & Peer Learning” posters to be used by participants.
4. Review all poster presentations submitted by the August 1st deadline to tailor the workshop modules to the specific budget realities of the participating countries.
5. Workshop Facilitation involving leading the 2-day session as the primary moderator/facilitator.
6. Final Report summarizing outcomes, participant evaluation, and the EPN Advocacy Narrative generated during the sessions.

Timeline

Consultant Profile and Qualifications

Mandatory Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate the following qualifications and experience:

1. Advanced knowledge of health financing systems, domestic resource mobilization, and national health budgeting processes, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Proven experience in advocacy and policy engagement related to health systems strengthening, health governance, or public health financing.
3. Demonstrated experience facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops or policy dialogues, particularly with senior leaders or decision-makers.
4. Strong facilitation and moderation skills, with experience designing and delivering interactive workshop formats such as simulations, peer-learning sessions, and structured policy discussions.
5. Proven experience working in multi-country or regional contexts in Africa, with a strong understanding of the institutional and political landscape shaping health policy and financing.
6. Excellent analytical and communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy or financing concepts into practical and accessible workshop content.
7. Fluency in English (spoken and written).
8. Ability to develop high-quality facilitation materials, including presentations, training modules, case studies, and workshop documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications would be considered an advantage:

1. Experience working with faith-based organizations (FBOs), Christian Health Associations (CHAs), or civil society networks in the health sector.
2. Prior engagement with health policy dialogue processes involving governments, Ministries of Health, Ministries of Finance, or parliamentary stakeholders.
3. Experience supporting organizations in developing advocacy strategies, policy positioning, or stakeholder engagement plans.
4. Familiarity with public–private partnership (PPP) frameworks in health systems, particularly in relation to service delivery or pharmaceutical supply chains.
5. Experience facilitating regional or continental health policy discussions, including engagement with organizations such as WHO, Africa CDC, or regional health platforms.
6. Knowledge of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) policy processes and health system governance frameworks in Africa.
7. Based in Africa or with strong professional engagement in African health policy contexts is highly desirable.
8. Working knowledge of French would be considered an asset, given the participation of Francophone countries.

Application Requirements

The consultant must be well-versed in domestic health financing processes, budget making processes across a variety of African countries. The consultant must furthermore have in-depth knowledge about lobby and advocacy work on the African continent as well as about strategies and tools of lobby and advocacy work. The consultant must speak English in a very fluent manner. Interested applicants should submit:

1. Interested consultants should submit the following documents: A technical proposal outlining their facilitation approach, methodology for the workshop and relevant experience with health financing in Africa and policy dialogue processes.
2. Updated CV highlighting relevant experience in facilitation, health policy dialogue advocacy, and health financing.
3. Examples of proven knowledge about lobby and advocacy work on the African continent, preferably related to health policy, advocacy, or multi-stakeholder dialogue.
4. At least two professional references (including email address and mobile number).
5. Financial proposal including the consultant’s professional fee and any associated costs

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of EPN’s Policy and Advocacy Advisor. All materials must be jointly reviewed with the EPN team prior to the workshop.

Application

To submit an application, interested firms must send a full technical and financial offer in electronic version at the following address: jobs@epnetwork.org by 14 June 2026.