Green Packaging Consultant

Job Description

The Global Health Supply Chain Program- Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project is the primary vehicle through which the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) procures and provides health commodities for countries receiving U.S. government foreign assistance. GHSC-PSM also provides technical assistance to improve the efficiency, reach, and sustainability of in-country supply chains and is supported with funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, USAID’s family planning and reproductive health program, and USAID’s maternal and child health program.

GHSC-PSM is undergoing a scope of work focused on harmonizing packaging configurations for key family planning commodities with other major donors as well as optimizing packaging configurations to respond to the needs of country supply chains. Several opportunities for reduction of environmental impact via alterations to secondary and tertiary packaging have been identified. Environmental impact, and associated cost and manufacturing implications, require further exploration.

Chemonics seeks a Green Packaging or Sustainable Packaging Subject Matter Specialist to:

• Clearly define “green packaging” and “environmental impact” to inform subsequent tasks
• Review desk research and previous GHSC-PSM relevant case studies and recommendations
• Engage key suppliers and key stakeholders in discussions in order to:

o Assess the feasibility and environmental impact of alternative secondary and/or tertiary packaging configurations, as compared to current packaging states, across key family planning commodities.

o Assess the cost impact of environmental waste and identify opportunities for improvement.

o Explore ongoing supplier initiatives related to environmental sustainability and green packaging as well as other ideas/approaches

· Develop and prioritize recommendations for alternative secondary and/or tertiary packaging configurations for key family planning commodities, including an impact feasibility assessment and/or cost-benefit analysis and impact for each recommendation.

Illustrative questions for further exploration are listed below:

Goal 1 : Investigate best practices in green packaging across for Intra-Uterine Devices (hormonal/non hormonal)

Questions:

1. Are there changes that could be made to the secondary and/or tertiary packaging of this product that will help to reduce environmental impact? If so, what are they, and what are their associated environmental impacts and feasibility (e.g. cost and/or lead-time implications)?
2. Is there an environmental impact of using secondary and/or tertiary packaging that is reusable, rather than single-use, across product categories? If so, what is the feasibility (e.g. lead time, price, etc)? Identify recommendations for resusable material.
3. Is there an opportunity to use materials which are from certified, responsibly managed forests ? What is the associate environmental impact and feasibility? Identify recommendations for materials from certified, responsibly managed forest.
4. Is there an opportunity to use less toxic, or non-toxic, packaging materials which reduce negative end-of-life impacts ? If so, what is the associate environmental impact and feasibility? Identify materials that are less toxic, non toxic.
5. Other considerations?

Goal 2: Assess the environmental impact of the use of a sticker logo versus a printed logo on the shipper carton across product categories for intrauterine devices (hormonal/non hormonal)

Questions:

hat is the environmental impact of the use of a sticker logo versus a printed logo, at the export carton level?

1. What are the manufacturing implications (e.g. Manual vs. Automated) of use of a sticker logo vs. printed logo, and associated cost or lead time implications? 
2. How are these implications offset by potential to reduce environmental impact, if at all?
3. Other considerations?

Goal 3: A Assess the environmental impact of various intrauterine device (non hormonal) packaging options​

Questions:

1. What is the environmental impact of packaging IUDs in inner cardboard boxes of 25 IUDs each, compared to the current packaging state? 
2. What is the environmental impact of packaging IUDs in inner carboard boxes of 2-4 plastic bags of 25 IUDs each (50-100 total IUDs in inner cardboard box), compared to the current state?
3. What is the feasibility of use of biodegradable bag in terms of environmental impact gains vis a vis quality and price implications?
4. Other considerations?

Goal 4: Assess the environmental impact of various intrauterine device (hormonal) packaging options

Questions:

1. Identify opportunities to reduce packaging waste.
2. Other considerations?

Consultant Deliverables:

• Word document or PPT that clearly define “green packaging” and “environmental impact” to inform subsequent tasks
• Document high level objectives for each supplier/stakeholder interview
• Meeting notes from supplier/stakeholder interviews
• Draft report documenting recommendations for alternative secondary and/or tertiary packaging configurations for key family planning commodities, including an impact feasibility assessment and/or cost-benefit analysis and impact for each recommendation.
• Presentation of draft report to GHSC-PSM and other stakeholders as determined by GHSC-PSM
• Final report incorporating feedback from stakeholders

E. Qualifications of Consultant:

· Bachelors’ degree (Masters’ degree preferred) and 5 years of experience in healthcare commodity packaging

· Experience in sustainability, green initiatives, environmental optimization, and/or environmental compliance required

· Experience with family planning and family planning commodities preferred

· Ability to work independently

· Demonstrated experience conducting and documenting desk research

· Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing

F. Duration of Assignment: Approximately 2 months

G. Location of Assignment: Remote

H. Supervision of Consultant: Consultant will be supervised by TO3 Market Dynamics/Strategic Sourcing Lead and TO3 Market Dynamics Analyst

About the Organization

Founded in 1975, Chemonics is an international development consulting firm. In more than 70 countries around the globe, our network of 5,000 specialists share a simple belief: that the challenges we face today are best solved through the right partnerships — sharing knowledge, expertise, and experience to deliver results. As part of our culture and values, Chemonics is proud to be named a “Best Place to Work” in the Human Rights campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index. Where Chemonics works, development works. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit us at www.chemonics.com.