Senior Supply Chain Technical Advisor 50 views

Job Summary:

RTI International is an international, independent not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. With a worldwide staff of more than 4,000 people, RTI offers innovative research and development and a full spectrum of multidisciplinary services that meet the highest standards of professional performance.

Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) | East, shortly referred to as Act|East, is a cooperative agreement through which RTI supports national neglected tropical disease (NTD) programs to reach WHO NTD control and elimination goals through proven, cost-effective public health interventions which span the regions of Oromia, Tigray, Beneshangul-Gumuz and Gambella.

The Supply Chain Technical Advisor (TA) is responsible for providing a wide range of support to the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supplies Services (EPSS) and Ministry of Health (MOH) towards efforts to integrate/mainstream Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) supply chain management (SCM) onto EPSS’s systems. This will include forecasting and clearance of drugs, storage at EPSS hubs, distribution to Woreda health offices and NTD SCM strengthening activities.

The TA will work closely with EPSS, MOH, RHBs, FDA, and NTD implementing partners to help build a sustainable SCM system to maintain the quality, efficacy and safety of the chemo-preventative and case management drugs used during mass drug administration campaigns and morbidity management in accordance with the NTD elimination and control goals. As part of the technical support to be extended to MOH, the TA will dedicate time to join/sit at the MOH NTD team at agreeable schedules between the Inventory and Distribution Director of EPSS and MOH’s NTD team leader. The TA’s technical support to MOH includes providing supports on programmatic components highlighted on the NTD SCM Standard Operational Protocol (SOP) including due coordination of RHBs and FDA.

Job Functions

• Work in strong coordination among MOH, EPSS, RHBs, and implementing partners to strengthen an NTD supply chain management system which chart the delivery of drugs from the EPSS central store to EPSS hubs, then to Woreda health offices.
• Work with MOH, EPSS, RHBs, and partners on NTD supply chain management including forecasting, inventory and warehouse management, and distribution planning.
• Facilitate port/customs clearance of NTD medicines in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Ensure implementation of the national NTD Supply Chain Management Standard Operational Protocol (SOP) through:
• Coordinating and leading a regular national NTD SCM TWG involving wide range of stakeholders in collaboration with MOH,
• Closely working with MOH, RHBs, and implementing partners to coordinate and synchronize Woreda level MDA schedules with drug distribution plans,
• Closely working with MOH, RHB, EPSS, implementing partners, and USAID to create a system of reverse logistics post-MDA to ensure unused drugs are returned to Woreda health offices medical stores, and
• Closely working with FDA, RHBs, implementing partners, and MOH on MDA/NTD drugs’ safety including, reporting of AE/SAE, investigation, and management.
• Keep all electronic records up-to-date with inputs from annual inventory participation to ensure supply chain efficiency and to align records with LMIS and other EPSS recording platforms.
• Conduct regular field level supervisions and advice Woreda offices and RHBs on the special storage conditions for NTD medicines.
• Closely work with MOH NTD team and EPSS to support compilation of NTD medicines reports for Join Annual Package (JAP) and Trachoma Evaluation and Monitoring Form (TEMF) applications.
• Submit regular performance report to EPSS and RTI (Act | East Program) and engage on MOH’s biannual & annual NTD program review meetings by compiling/presenting updates on NTD SCM.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the EPSS Inventory and Distribution Director, MOH NTD Team, and Act | East technical supervisory staff.

Qualification and experience requirements:

• Graduate degree in public health, pharmacy, supply chain management or equivalent and a minimum of six years working experience in the area of healthcare supply chain management at national and regional levels.
• Significant experience in Ethiopia working in the healthcare supply chain system with specific experience on NTD program while working with MOH and/or EPSS.
• Experience of working with USAID or other donor-funded projects, is preferable.

Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of coordinating all of the entities involved in a supply chain including planning of procurement, inventory control, logistics, and distribution.
• Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team-oriented setting.
• Knowledge and experience of working on the EPSS and MOH supply chain system and environment.
• Strong English language oral and written communication skills along with native national languages.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• He/She has to be able to travel within Ethiopia frequently.