Summary 

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is seeking proposals from qualified consultants or consulting firms to support the implementation of its organisational commitment to automation and digitalisation under the Operational Efficiency enabler of MPP’s new 2026–2030 Strategy.

The consultancy will be implemented in 2026 and will support MPP to

• assess current digital and automation needs across workstreams and define a prioritised roadmap for improving data architecture and automating key corporate processes, and
• strengthen staff capacity to effectively use existing Microsoft 365 tools, particularly SharePoint, Power BI, Co-Pilot and Power Automate.

About the Medicines Patent Pool

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to, and facilitate the development of, lifesaving medicines in low- and middle-income countries through voluntary licensing and technology transfer.

More information is available at: www.medicinespatentpool.org.

Background and Rationale

MPP’s registration with Microsoft’s non-for-profit licensing model provides a solid platform to support more integrated, data driven and automated ways of working. SharePoint is MPP’s main document repository, with other M365 applications used to various extents across both of MPP’s Geneva and India offices, and across all of its 6 workstreams (Business Development, Communications, Legal, Policy, Operations & Resources, and Technology Transfer). Additionally, staff in MPP are increasingly adopting innovative digital and AI-enabled solutions to meet operational needs, highlighting the importance of ensuring that these efforts are aligned within a coherent, organisation-wide digital ecosystem.

In its new 2026–2030 Strategy, MPP has committed to strengthening operational efficiency through the standardisation, automation and digital optimisation of corporate processes. This includes improving data architecture, strengthening integration and harmonisation of digital tools, maximising the use of existing Microsoft 365 licences, reducing manual and duplicative workflows, and ensuring that staff are equipped to fully leverage the digital tools made available within the organisation.

This consultancy will therefore support MPP in taking a strategic and coordinated approach to digital optimisation thereby improving operational efficiency and supporting the effective and sustained delivery of the Strategy. In particular,  MPP intends to engage an external consultant/consultancy firm to:

• establish a clear baseline of current digital maturity across priority corporate processes;
• identify opportunities for automation and optimisation aligned with organisational needs; and
• support staff in building practical competencies in Microsoft 365 tools that can immediately enhance efficiency and data use.

The consultancy will directly contribute to the achievement of two Key Organisational Indicators identified by MPP for the 2026-2030 period.

Scope of work

The consultant will be expected to undertake the following core tasks:

1. Mapping and Diagnostic Assessment

• Review existing corporate processes across MPP’s 6 workstreams, with a focus on priority operational, administrative, financial, HR, and reporting workflows.
• Assess current use of digital tools, data flows, and data architecture, including licences, and subsequently identify inefficiencies, gaps, and duplication.
• Consult with staff across functions to understand user needs, pain points, and opportunities for automation and optimisation.

2. Digital Optimisation and Automation Roadmap

• Identify and define a set of priority corporate processes suitable for further integration, digitalisation or optimisation.
• Develop a practical, phased roadmap for process automation and data architecture improvements over the strategy period, including quick wins that could be implemented within 2026.
• Make recommendations that are realistic, proportionate and aligned with MPP’s size, resources and existing Microsoft 365 licences and environment, and will ensure the sustainability of newly introduced automated processes over the longer-term.

3. Capacity Building and Training

• Design and deliver practical, hands-on training sessions for MPP staff to boost digital literacy and strengthen the effective use of existing MPP tools and any others identified through the optimisation process. These will likely include Chat GPT, and Microsoft 365 applications including:
  • SharePoint
  • Power BI
  • Co-Pilot / AI solutions
  • Power Automate
• Tailor training to different user groups and functional needs, with a focus on real MPP use cases.
• Provide guidance and materials that support sustained improvement in digital literacy.

Deliverables and timeline

Expected deliverables include:

• An inception/diagnostic report summarising current digital maturity, priority needs, and opportunities for automation and digital optimisation.
• A clearly articulated digital optimisation and automation roadmap, including identified priority processes and sequencing.
• Training materials and documentation tailored to MPP’s Microsoft 365 environment or other tools as identified during the process.
• Delivery of staff training sessions (virtual and/or in person) tailored to different user groups and based on real MPP use cases.
• A short end of assignment summary highlighting key recommendations and next steps, with a focus on sustainability.

The consultancy is expected to be implemented over the course of 2026, with kick-off in mid-May or early June. There is a potential to leverage the opportunities provided by an all-staff retreat (planned in Geneva in September 2026) for training on digital tools and/or presentation of the roadmap/recommendations from this consultancy. Proposals should include a clear and feasible timeline covering all components of the scope of work.

Profile of consultant

Essential skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in digitalisation, process automation, and data architecture within organisational or institutional settings.
• Strong practical experience with Microsoft 365 tools, particularly SharePoint, Power BI, Power Apps and Power Automate.
• Experience conducting needs assessments and translating findings into actionable roadmaps.
• Proven ability to deliver user focused training to non-technical audiences.

Desirable skills:

• Experience working with international organisations, NGOs, or UN-related entities.
• Familiarity with change management and organisational adoption of digital tools.

Application process

Interested consultants or firms are invited to submit:

• A brief technical proposal outlining understanding of the assignment, proposed approach, and timeline.
• A financial proposal.
• CV(s) or profile(s) of key personnel.

Proposals should be submitted by 20 April 2026 to rfp@mppf.ch

For questions or clarifications, please contact rfoley@mppf.ch