SCS Project Health Program Supply Chain Advisor for Malaria and MNCH

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB:

The Health Program Supply Chain advisor for Malaria and MNCH, embedded within the Ministry of Health’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Lead Executive Office (PMD LEO), provides technical assistance in demand planning, resource mobilization, procurement, stock status and pipeline monitoring, and overall supply chain management of Malaria and MNCH program commodities. The role is designed to strengthen MOH PMD-LEO systems and is delivered under the leadership and direction of the PMD-LEO, with the explicit objective of progressively and fully transitioning responsibilities, knowledge, and support to the MOH PMD‑LEO. The Advisor works closely with MOH Malaria and MNCH Health programs and Finance Chief Executive Office of MOH, and Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS), to strengthen an efficient, responsive, and sustainable supply chain system for Malaria and MNCH products. The role focuses on improving supply chain performance through process optimization to minimize wastage, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency. The Advisor ensures effective inventory management, storage, distribution, and quality assurance of Malaria and MNCH commodities, strengthening program specific and supply chain coordination platforms, and supporting public and private sector counterparts in strengthening supply chain operations. By promoting data driven decision- making and alignment with national health program priorities, the Advisor contributes to a sustainable and resilient health supply chain system, ultimately improving access to lifesaving Malaria and MNCH commodities. In addition, the advisor plays a key role in capacity building efforts through technical mentorship, coaching, knowledge and skill transfer to MoH and EPSS teams to enhance long-term supply chain management capacity.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under supervision of the Supply Chain Lead of SCS and the Supply Chain Desk Head of PMD LEO/MOH, and in close collaboration with technical teams in SCS Project and PMD LEO, the Health Program Supply Chain Advisor for Malaria and MNCH will carry out the following responsibilities:

• Provide strategic level support in developing pharmaceutical supply chain strategies, projects, and action plans while advising MoH and EPSS leadership on initiatives to enhance Malaria and MNCH supply chain efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with MoH key functions, EPSS, USG SC Project Malaria and MNCH Supply Chain Manager as well as Forecasting and Supply Plan Manager, and other partners to strengthen the Malaria and MNCH commodities supply chain, ensuring accurate quantification, timely procurement, and continuous availability of required commodities across all levels of the supply chain system.
• Provide expert guidance to SCS management and staff on Malaria and MNCH-related health policies, strategies, interventions, and innovations.
• Work with public and private sector partners to implement Malaria and MNCH supply chain activities across the country, ensuring alignment with national health program strategies.
• Collaborate with the SCS team, MOH, EPSS, and other key stakeholders to design and implement supply chain strengthening strategies, tools, and approaches to improve Malaria and MNCH commodity availability while conducting and supporting supply management assessments to evaluate and enhance supply chain operations.
• Provide technical assistance to MoH, and RHBs in translating national policies into regional and woreda-level implementation guidelines.
• Compile, evaluate, and maintain an evidence-based Malaria and MNCH-related supply chain challenges and best practices to inform advocacy, policy dialogue, and planning efforts with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), Woreda health Office teams, Health facilities and implementing partners.
• Collaborate with SCS team, MOH, EPSS, and other key stakeholders to design and implement supply chain strengthening strategies, tools, and approaches to improve Malaria and MNCH commodities availability.
• Under the guidance of the PMD‑LEO Desk Head, serve as a liaison between the MOH, DOS, and SCS to enhance coordination and collaboration and to advance MOH supply chain priorities.
• Support PMDLEO in advancing overall supply chain maturity through strategic engagement at the MOH level.
• Strengthen coordination and alignment among MOH, EPSS, EPHI, and EFDA by serving as an effective liaison across these and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support forecasting and supply planning for Malaria and MNCH commodities, including new pediatric formulations, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of Malaria and MNCH program products.
• Provide technical assistance to the MOH on Global Fund grant application and grant utilization processes through strengthening efficient procurement and supply chain management systems.
• Support the MOH in mobilizing domestic government resources for the procurement of Malaria and MNCH commodities to strengthen sustainable financing and ensure uninterrupted commodity availability.
• Ensure timely collection, analysis, and submission of data required for USG-DOS reporting, adhering to contract-specified deadlines. The same data, analyses, and reports shall be shared with and remain accessible to the MOH PMD‑LEO, with timely national supply chain reporting to the MOH treated as a primary obligation alongside donor reporting.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of Malaria and MNCH supply chain activities, best practices, progress, challenges, and mitigation plans, providing regular reports to the MOH PMD‑LEO and other key stakeholders, and ensure all such documentation is handed over to and retained by the PMD‑LEO as institutional records.
• Monitor stock levels of Malaria and MNCH commodities at EPSS warehouses and health facilities, collaborating with relevant partners to recommend appropriate actions.
• Collaborate with MOH to track the procurement status of Malaria and MNCH commodities through EPSS, GF/Wambo, STBP/GDF, SCS/GHSC-PSM, and other mechanisms.
• Capacitate PMD LEO staff on supply chain data analysis and use for decision-making with focus on Malaria and MNCH Programs.
• Track the progress of Malaria and MNCH supply chain activities against established key performance indicators (KPIs) and propose corrective actions as needed.
• Train and mentor, the supply chain workforce on Malaria and MNCH commodities quantification, procurement, and stock and pipeline monitoring.
• Assess MOH technical staff training needs, provide onsite technical support and organize capacity-building initiatives to enhance supply chain management skills. Collaborate with MOH and EPSS leadership at different levels to forecast resource needs, plan for timely provisions, and facilitate necessary management approvals.
• Ensure compliance with USG regulations, MSH policies, and industry best practices in supply chain and quality management.
• Promote the institutionalization and sustainability of supply chain strengthening initiatives through stakeholder engagement, capacity strengthening, coaching, thorough documentation, and effective communication of key achievements and best practices, and ensure that the systems, tools, and capabilities developed are institutionalized within and owned by the MOH PMD‑LEO through a documented transition and handover plan.
• Perform additional responsibilities assigned by the supervisor, in consultation with the PMD‑LEO Desk Head, in alignment with MOH priorities and the overall objectives of the role.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED MINIMUM

EDUCATION: Bachelor's and 6+ years’ experience, Master's and 4+ years’ experience, or Doctorate and 2+ years’ experience in Pharmacy, Supply Chain Management Public Health or a closely related field; or a commensurate combination of education and professional experience.

REQUIRED MINIMUM

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in pharmaceutical supply chain, with specialized experience in supply chain management of Malaria and MNCH commodities and other public health commodities.
• Eight years of progressively responsible experience is preferred.
• Experience in international public health is highly preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of a variety of concepts, practices, and procedures within the particular learned profession, as well as applicable laws, regulations, and general instructions is required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience working on a U.S. government or other donor-funded project, or with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the procurement of health products, is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND

SKILLS:

• Deep understanding of the operational and programmatic aspects of major public health programs, such as HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, and MNCH, including their specific commodity requirements in Ethiopia.
• Updated knowledge on Malaria diagnosis and treatment protocols as well as prevalence of the diseases in the country
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Ethiopian pharmaceutical supply chain sector and related regulations, especially the supply management of health program commodities.
• Demonstrated ability to work with other implementing partners in implementing complex programs.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
• Hands-on Skill in using ERP system, data generation, data analysis and report writing
• Strong organizational abilities and proven capacity to collaborate effectively within a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and effective communication abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to identify and resolve operational challenges.
• Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to prioritize and manage a wide range of tasks and activities.
• In-depth knowledge of the Ethiopian public health sector and prior work experience in Ethiopia is highly preferred. Especially, the ability to analyse and interpret public health policies related to supply chain management of Malaria and MNCH is preferred.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, management, planning, analytical and organizational skills. These will be demonstrated in the ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail.

REPORTING TO:

• For administrative and contractual matters, the Advisor reports to the Supply Chain Lead of the SCS Project, or his/her designated delegate, and to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies Desk Head of the MOH PMD‑LEO for technical direction and day-to-day operations. The PMD‑LEO Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies Desk Head approves the Advisor’s annual and quarterly work plans and task priorities and provides formal input into the Advisor’s performance evaluation.

DURATION:

• The position will be filled for a maximum duration of 12 months and is contingent upon the availability of funding.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. MSH complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, and all related applicable regulations.

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