Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 21 Sep 2016
Global Health Fellows Program
Technical Advisor III/IV: Senior Supply Chain Management Advisor
United States Agency for International Development/Democratic Republic of the Congo
Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP-II-P5-222
The Global Health Fellows Program (**GHFP-II**) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual work planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.
Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.
BACKGROUND:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the second largest African country by area (after Algeria) and the fourth most populated. It has a population of approximately 75.5 million people, 32 percent of whom live in urban areas. Administratively, the country has recently been divided from 11 provinces into 26 provinces and the process of making these new provinces functional is still underway. The DRC ranks 176 out of 188 countries on the 2015 Human Development Index; an estimated 80% of the population lives on less than $2 per day. The 2013-14 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) reported an under-five mortality rate of 104/1,000 live births and maternal mortality ratio of 846/100,000 live births. Life expectancy at birth is 49.6 years.
The DRC is a focus country for several US Government (USG) initiatives, including the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths (EPCMD), and Family Planning 2020 (FP2020). Over the past five years there has been a substantial increase in USAID’s investment in these programs, directly leading to an increase in the procurement of health commodities. USAID also funds several technical assistance mechanisms to provide training, supervision, and system strengthening interventions, including the recently launched Global Health Supply Chain (GHSC) program. Previous mechanisms are in the process of being transitioned into GHSC. Discussions are underway to co-fund supply chain management (SCM) activities with the World Bank in the context of the Global Financing Facility.
USAID is supporting the Government of the DRC (GDRC) as the country develops and implements a new five-year strategic plan for strengthening the commodity supply chain and distribution system. In line with the development objectives and goals of the USAID/DRC Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), USAID will contribute to building national capacity to meet the supply chain challenges and create conditions for improving the health status of the population and reduce maternal and child mortality.
INTRODUCTION:
The Senior Supply Chain Management Advisor (Senior Advisor) will be based in Kinshasa, DRC and will serve as a member of the Health Office within USAID/DRC.
The Health Office’s SCM responsibilities can be classified as internal and external. Internally, the Mission needs to manage the ordering, delivery, clearance and distribution processes for the commodities that it procures directly. Externally, the Mission has to implement a robust and comprehensive approach to supporting the GDRC on SCM, coordinating closely with the GDRC system and with other donors. Critical to this work will be ensuring the start up and effective coordination of USAID-funded technical assistance activities, both central and mission-managed.
This position is a key part of USAID’s efforts to improve its internal approaches to managing commodities and its external support for the GDRC’s supply chain strategic plan. The Senior Advisor is expected to play a pivotal role in providing technical expertise to USAID and to the GDRC’s efforts to strengthen the supply chain. S/he will receive technical guidance from the Health Office Director who will serve as his/her onsite manager.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Senior Supply Chain Management Advisor will be responsible for:
- Serving as primary point of contact for USAID’s working relationships with GDRC entities and other donors involved in supply chain and pharmaceutical management, leading the coordination of supply chain strengthening and participating in national discussions related to supply chain strengthening;
- Serving as a technical advisor regarding USAID’s investments in strengthening the GDRC supply chain and commodities distribution system;
Providing technical advice in the following areas:
Reviewing current internal processes related to health commodity ordering and tracking and making recommendations for improvement.
Analyzing and monitoring program progress and informing the Mission health office or senior management of any recommendations that need to be discussed with implementing partners, other donors, or GDRC officials.
Developing and implementing the Mission’s road map to strengthen capacity in supply chain management and commodities distribution, in the context of the decentralization reform.
Working with GHSC, the National Essential Medicines Procurement Program (*Programme National d’Approvisionnement en Médicaments Essentiels* (PNAM)) and priority health programs (including malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, reproductive health) to quantify and order the commodities required for each province.
Working with the GHSC headquarters and in-country staff, mission staff, and implementing partners to coordinate, monitor and report on the quantification, order and delivery, loss or leakage, and over stock and expiry of health commodities for USAID-supported provinces and health zones.
Reviewing and recommending appropriate USAID internal controls for proper tracking of health commodities from arrival in-country to final destination.
Monitoring and tracking the process to obtain exoneration and customs clearance for incoming health commodity shipments.
As needed, preparing position papers for USAID senior management regarding policy dialogue with the DRC authorities and other stakeholders on supply chain strengthening efforts.
Providing monthly reports on progress achieved in implementing USAID’s commodity procurement and distribution management activities.
Building capacity of the team by providing trainings, coaching and mentoring.
Serving as an Activity Manager, as needed, for Global Health Supply Chain activities.
LEVEL IV
An Advisor at the level IV will be further responsible for:
- Providing mentorship and professional support to a team of Foreign Service Nationals and Foreign Service Officers through training, technical presentations, knowledge management and sharing of best practices on supply chain management.
- Identifying opportunities for capacity development in the area of procurement and SCM for Mission staff.
- Disseminating best practices in procurement and supply chain management among the Mission’s staff.
- Providing expert strategic leadership and guidance to the Mission SCM team and implementing partners related to technical assistance for GDRC entities (e.g. PNAM, priority health programs), donor programs, and donor coordination groups.
International and domestic travel approximately 20%.
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (7%)
- Keeping abreast of literature and latest developments in the field of international supply chain management.
- Deepening knowledge of international supply chain management of health commodities.
- Participating in interagency and intra-agency working groups as appropriate to the scope of work.
- Participating in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree or higher in public health, pharmaceutical studies, economics, business administration, international development or a related field.
- Prior experience with major supply chain organizations and/or health system support donors.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, as well as working in close collaboration with donor groups, government agencies, NGOs and implementing partners on population and health programs.
- Knowledge of the principles, concepts, techniques and best practices in program management, evaluation, reporting and budgeting.
- Understanding of health systems in francophone Africa, specifically related to development challenges and opportunities.
- Demonstrated expertise in program planning, design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting is highly desirable.
- Experience leading/coaching/mentoring teams to achieve goals and improve performance.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communications skills.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both in speaking and writing, with government technical officers, donors and counterparts.
- Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks and competing priorities.
- Certification in supply chain management desirable but not required.
- Fluency in English and French required.
- Ability to travel internationally.
- US citizenship or US permanent residency required.
In addition to the above, the position requires the following at each level:
TECHNICAL ADVISOR III
- Minimum ten (10) years’ experience in pharmaceutical supply chain and logistics management, with at least three (3-5) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
TECHNICAL ADVISOR IV
- Minimum fifteen (15) years’ experience in pharmaceutical supply chain and logistics management, with at least five (5) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.
TO APPLY:
All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application. All online applications must be submitted by September 21, 2016 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer.
How to apply:
All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application. All online applications must be submitted by September 21, 2016 by 5:00 pm Eastern time.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer.