Supply Chain Monitoring Advisor In Zanzibar

TITLE:              Supply Chain Monitoring Advisor

REPORTS TO:  Director of Supply Chain Monitoring Team & Chief of Party

LOCATION:     Positions based in the Central Medical Stores (CMS) in Zanzibar.

Overview:

John Snow, Inc. (JSI), a US-based technical assistance firm, is implementing various public health-related projects in Tanzania aimed at strengthening the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare's (MOHSW) service delivery, with funding from United States Government through USAID, CDC and other US agencies represented in Tanzania. 

The Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) and USAID/DELIVER projects are implemented under United States Agent for International Development (USAID) contracts through funding from United States of America government (USG). These projects managed in Tanzania by John Now, Inc. (JSI) provides quality medicines, strengthens and establishes secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable supply chains, capable of meeting the prevention, care and treatment needs of people of Tanzania including those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.  In coordination with in-country and international partners, SCMS/DELIVER will: assist Tanzania national programs to enhance their supply-chain capacity; ensure that accurate supply-chain information is collected, shared, and used; and provide quality, affordable, health care products to those who need them.

Overall Responsibilities

The Supply Chain Monitoring Advisor (SCMA) is to serve as an early warning system capable of identifying potential break downs in the logistics system and taking corrective and remedial actions to avoid service interruptions.  In addition, the SCMA will prevent ILS products including HIV/AIDS commodities build-up or accumulation and wastage in the health commodity distribution network. 

The Supply Chain Monitoring Advisor will be providing support to the day-to-day logistics activities of all healthcare facilities within their designated area.  In collaboration with the Zanzibar AIDS Control Program (ZACP), Zanzibar Malaria Control Program (ZMCP), Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) and CMS, the SCMAs will primarily work on implementing and monitoring the logistics system for ILS and HIV/AIDS commodities. While the primary focus of the SCMA is on the logistics management of ILS and HIV/AIDS commodities, the SCMAs will assist in providing technical support for other essential commodities management in line with ZACP, ZMCP, RCH and CMS activities to ensure that all essential medicines and HIV/AIDS commodities are running smoothly within the distribution system in their assigned zone. 

Specific Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

For CMS and its related health facilities:

·         Conducting logistics monitoring visits to all health facilities including those that provide care and support for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).  These visits may include staff from CMS, Regional Health Management Team (RHMT), ZACP, ZMCP, RCH and Council Health Management  Team (CHMT)

·         Developing technical assistance plans, including project activity development and budgeting, preparation of strategic and annual work plans, monitoring, and evaluation of performance and impact.

·         Providing technical assistance to key healthcare facility personnel in the following areas:

   Analyzing the constraints to improved product availability in the selected facilities.

   Analyzing the supply chain implications of poor report & request (R&R) for medicines and related medical supplies, storage and distribution.

   Identifying performance strengths, weaknesses, and Providing On-the-Job Training (OJT) in commodity management using existing tools such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manuals.

   Facilitating the provision of Report and Requisition forms, manuals and other materials required to carry out logistics activities. 

   Ensuring that all logistics records are correctly maintained at the service delivery points.

   Ensuring that planned logistics activities (procedures) are being carried out according to schedule

   Ensuring prompt receipt of healthcare commodities at the Service Delivery Points (SDPs)

   Identifying potential breakdowns in the logistics systems and mobilize support and other interventions necessary to avoid stockouts of healthcare commodities.

   Ensuring that appropriate stock levels of commodities are maintained in CMS

   Work with other Deliver/Tanzania staff to help identify Malaria and Family Planning resource and/or performance improvement needs in order to advance the goal of commodity security

   Work with other Deliver/Tanzania staff to develop and implement a strategic plan for Malaria and Family Planning commodities and logistics system interventions, including developing and advancing technical/quality standards, guidelines and tools related to project and country work.

·         SCM Advisor will submit reports to designated institutions.

·         Ensuring good communication with and timely feedback to healthcare facilities, ZACP, ZMCP, RCH and SCMS/DELIVER on potential and/or actual stock imbalances.

·         Working with CMS Manager to ensure the steady supply of commodities to the zonal store.

·         Working with CMS warehouse and healthcare facility staff on establishing guidelines for proper storage and distribution of healthcare commodities

·         Identifying and communicating the necessary resources for the performance of their duties.

·         The position is based in a CMS area and will require travel to healthcare facilities within Zanzibar and Pemba, and may require travel to trainings/presentations/conferences.  Depending on the need or situation, some international travel may be required.

Qualification, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Applicants for this position should be Tanzanian nationals or lawful residents who possess the following minimum qualifications:

• A qualified Pharmacist, Medical Doctor or other Public Health professional with at least two years experience in HIV/AIDS or experienced Public Health Logistician with at least three years experience.
• Experience working with essential medicines and HIV/AIDS commodities and programs is preferred.
• Experience in logistics/supply chain management and or public health commodities management desirable.
• Experience working with the Government of Tanzania and other NGO's preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal English.
• Ability to prepare and present information related to essential medicines and HIV/AIDS.
• Ability to work on a team to develop strategies and manage implementation of projects
• Ability to work independently.
• Previous work experience with USAID-funded projects desirable.
• Proficiency in common computer packages (eg.Word, PowerPoint, Excel) relevant to the work.
• Team player.
• Able to travel for an extended period of time away from the duty station to support technical activities.
• Able to travel internationally to attend trainings and conferences as needed.

The Supply Chain Monitoring Advisors will work under the guidance of the Deputy Chief of Party and Director of Supply Chain Monitoring Advisor a designated Supervisor.

 Phone: +255 22 260 2891-3

Area: Zanzibar
Application Deadline: Nov 12, 2012