Supply Chain Monitoring Advisor , Tabora (1), Moshi (1) and Mtwara (1)

TITLE:                    Supply Chain Monitoring Advisor (3 Open Positions)

REPORTS TO:      Regional Logistics Coordinator

LOCATION:         Positions based in each of the four following MSD Zonal Stores: Tabora (1), Moshi (1) and Mtwara (1)

OVERVIEW:

JSI Research & Training Institute (JSI R&T) 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 President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through USAID, CDC and other US agencies represented in Tanzania. 

The Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) project is implemented by The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PSCM) under a USAID contract as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. SCMS, managed in Tanzania by JSI R&T, provides quality medicines, strengthens and establishes 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 coordination with in-country and international partners, SCMS assists Tanzania national programs to enhance their supply chain capacity; ensures that accurate supply-chain information is collected, shared, and used; and provides quality, affordable, health care products to those who need them.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Supply Chain Monitoring Advisors (SCMA) are 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 HIV/AIDS related products build-up or accumulation and wastage in the health commodity distribution network. 

The Supply Chain Monitoring Advisors will be providing support to the day-to-day logistics activities of all the antiretroviral therapy (ART) facilities within their designated area.  In collaboration with the Pharmaceuticals and Supply Unit (PSU), NACP and MSD, the SCMAs will primarily work on implementing and monitoring the logistics system for HIV/AIDS commodities. While the primary focus of the SCMA is on the logistics management of HIV/AIDS commodities, the SCMAs will assist in providing technical support for other essential commodities management in line with PSU, NACP and MSD activities to ensure that all HIV/AIDS commodities and essential medicines are running smoothly within the distribution system in their assigned zone. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES may include, but are not limited to the following:

For each MSD zonal store and its related health facilities:

·         Conducting logistics monitoring visits to selected health facilities that provide care and support for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).  These visits may include staff from MSD, Regional Health Management Team (RHMT), PSU, NACP 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 ART 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 HIV/AIDS commodities at the SDPs

­   Identifying potential breakdowns in the logistics systems and mobilize support and other interventions necessary to avoid stockouts of HIV/AIDS and related commodities.

­   Ensuring that appropriate stock levels of HIV/AIDS commodities are maintained in MSD zonal stores.

·         SCM Advisors will submit reports to designated institutions.

·         Ensuring good communication with and timely feedback to ART sites, MSD, PSU, NACP and JSI/SCMS on potential and/or actual stock imbalances.

·         Working with MSD Local Area Managers to ensure the steady supply of commodities to the zonal store.

·         Working with MSD Zonal warehouse and ART facility staff on establishing guidelines for proper storage and distribution of HIV/AIDS commodities

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

·         The position is based in a MSD Zonal area and will require travel to ART facilities within that zonal area, and may require travel to trainings/presentations/conferences.  Depending on the need or situation, some international travel may be required.

Qualifications, 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 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 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 Regional Logistics Coordinators /or a designated Supervisor.

MODE OF APPLICATION:

Interested candidates are invited to send their cover letters, Curriculum Vitae with names and contact details of 3 work related references, enclosing certificate copies of relevant education and training.

Submission may be sent to the address below not later than Monday 12^th July, 2013.

 Human Resource Manager

John Snow, Inc.

 Plot No. 392,

 Toure Drive, Masaki

 P.O .Box 9263

 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

 Email: recruitment@tz.pfscm.org

Please indicate on the envelope the position applied for. Only candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date, kindly assume that your application was not successful. JSI is an equal opportunity employer.