JSI Country Director, Rwanda-- Kigali, Rwanda

JSI is recruiting a Country Director for the joint USAID | DELIVER PROJECT and Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) program in Rwanda. The USAID | DELIVER PROJECT is a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded global technical assistance project working with national and international partners to improve the availability of essential health commodities in public and private services including contraceptives and condoms, essential drugs, and select commodities for HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health, and infectious diseases. The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PfSCM) implements the SCMS contract for USAID as part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. SCMS endeavors to strengthen or establish secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable supply chains capable of meeting the care and treatment needs of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

In Rwanda, the USAID Mission is using both the projects to support the Government of Rwanda’s goal of improving the access to essential medicines for all Rwandans. Both projects are managed through a single field office and management structure, under the oversight of the Country Director. The Country Director has overall responsibility for providing strategic, technical, and operational leadership and management of both projects as well as for the planning and coordination of all project-related activities and personnel in Rwanda. He or she represents both projects to US Government and Government of Rwanda agencies, Ministry of Health, and other donors and cooperating agencies. The Country Director promotes health commodity security through collaboration with other stakeholders and implementation of best practices in the forecasting, financing, procurement, storage, distribution, and information management for health commodities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Maintain positive and productive working relationships with in-country clients and partners including USAID | Rwanda and the MOH.

2. Ensure seamless internal coordination among activities of the USAID | DELIVER Project and the SCMS Project by overseeing the harmonization of technical approaches, synchronization of project activities, and leveraging capacities across the two projects for optimal results.

3. Ensure that the project works in close collaboration with other in-country supply chain programs, specifically Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems (SPS) and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). Coordinate and collaborate with any other JSI projects that may be operating in country.

4. Report results of the project’s work to USAID | Rwanda, the MOH, and headquarters (HQ) as required and requested.

5. Provide direction to the field office by facilitating the development of a strategic plan/framework that is based on the needs of key stakeholders and that outlines key outcomes relevant to the SCMS and USAID | DELIVER technical areas. Incorporate a human resource capacity development plan in the strategic plan/framework that addresses the institutional, organizational, and individual needs of the in-country supply chain.

6. Develop and implement annual work plans using financial data for program planning while ensuring adequate funds are available for future activities. Revise/update work plans as needed based on budget requirements, actual expenditures and determined carryover amounts, as well as changes in MOH and/or USAID priorities.

7. Ensure appropriate functions, structures, and staffing in the field office to achieve annual work plans. Ensure targeted performance of staff so they can meet their own and the field program’s objectives. Identify capacity gaps and arrange for appropriate training of field office staff to adequately equip them with the skills and knowledge required to accomplish their responsibilities.

8. In collaboration with the Projects’ HQ, develop and implement an indicator-based performance monitoring plan that encompasses both commodity security and logistics management indicators and HQ-defined project-wide performance measures. Ensure that M&E is included in the work plans.

9. Develop and/or implement sound policies and procedures for the management of the field office. Ensure that staff understand and appropriately use said policies and procedures.

10. Oversee finances and cash flow and ensure adequate availability of project funds to complete required project work, working with respective project financial administrators and backstops.

Under responsibilities related to the management of the SCMS project, the Country Director is also expected to meet the following performance targets:

11. Oversee and be accountable for all procurement activities involved in field office including reviewing and approving all PRs for HIV/AIDs commodities procurement and, in adherence to established SCMS policies and procedures, guide procurement activities. Ensure adequate training and mentoring available to field office to carry out responsibility in FOMP as needed.

12. Ensure the development of at least a 24-month forecast of needs for relevant commodities, and a 12-month supply plan that is updated quarterly. Generate orders from the 12-month supply plan.

13. Ensure the completion of the monthly Commodity Expenditure Forecast template in order to allow for the quarterly review.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post graduate or graduate degree in pharmacy, public health, procurement, logistics, supply chain management or equivalent education or equivalent work experience,
• Significant developing country experience in supply chain management including malaria and family planning, and/or pharmaceutical supply chain strengthening,
• Proven ability to effectively network and negotiate with host government agencies, USG representatives and managers, USG contractors, and NGO community. Proven success in engaging USAID and senior local government clients,
• Proven ability to rapidly analyze an existing situation, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and build on its strengths to achieve program objectives,
• Proven capacity in strategic planning for in-country public health program implementation,
• Proven success in managing and implementing USAID-funded public health programs or projects in a developing country context, with five years or more management experience preferred,
• Proven experience in managing, motivating, and supervising teams,
• Proven capacity to work independently and to function as an effective member of a multi-disciplinary team,
• Strong representational and interpersonal skills,
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English and French desired,
• Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with Pipeline Software and Quantimed Software is a plus,
• Experience with USAID management and financial procedures.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online.
Country Director, Rwanda-- Kigali, Rwanda