Job Title: Senior Logistics Advisor

Deadline Date: 03/25/2011

Description:
The Partnership for Transforming Health Systems Phase II (PATHS2) is a 6 year program funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The goal of the program is to ensure that Nigerias own resources are used efficiently and effectively to achieve the MDGs and the program is designed to work with the FMOH/SMOH to improve the planning, financing and delivery of sustainable and replicable pro poor health services for common health problems in Nigeria. PATHS2 is currently working at Federal Level and in four states of Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and Enugu. Initial engagement process has begun with Lagos State MOH and the program will ultimately expand to cover up to six states.

PATHS2 program has five key outputs:
1.Stewardship role for health at national level strengthened.
2.State Systems to support appropriate health services improved.
3.Delivery of and access to sustainable, appropriate health services and supplies improved.
4.Ability of citizens and civil society to increase the accountability and responsiveness of the health system improved.
5.Capacity of the citizens to make informed choices about prevention, treatment and care strengthened.

Ensuring sustainable and pro poor supply of health products will play a critical role in ensuring that PATHS2 achieve some components of these outputs. Federal Ministry of Health and its various agencies plays/ will play critical role in ensuring this by:

*enacting various policies, laws and regulations,
*ensuring that there are sufficient resources to meet the prioritized Nigerian need of health products,
*ensuring there is enough health product available within country to meet its current and future needs,
*ensuring that there exist efficient, effective and harmonized logistics and supply chain management system within country,
*ensuring there exists sufficient Human Resources with adequate capacity to manage health product supply chain system,
*ensuring there is efficient information system

RESPONSIBILITIES

The scope of work will involve working closely with the FMOH and agencies (NPHCDA, NAFDAC, etc.) and PATHS2 State-level logistics partner AXIOS Foundation as well as the JSI integrated supply chain support office. The Logistics Advisor will work under the supervision of the PATHS2 Technical Coordinator to do the following:
a.Prepare workplan & budgets for the PATHS2 support to logistics and supply chain strengthening interventions by FMOH and agencies and state level state partners intended to achieve results as defined in the PATHS2 logframe.
b.Work closely with other development partners and stakeholders working to support FMOH in the area of health product supply chain.
c.Support or develop as required commodity security policies, including policies for essential medicines for PHC, reproductive health and family planning
d.Work with government and PATHS2 partners to identify key weaknesses and to develop a state-by-state strategy for strengthening of targeted supply logistics activities (Supply, Storage, Transport, Inventory and Customer Service)
e.Prepare terms of reference, job descriptions and budgets for international short term and long term consultants that will be required to support targeted supply chain logistics strengthening activities.
f.Oversee the work of short term and long term logistics consultants hired to support FMOH and its agencies.
g.Work closely with other PATHS2 technical leads, particularly Axios Foundation, and state counterparts to ensure coordinated approach e.g. with Health Financing, HR, M&E etc.
h.Prepare quarterly progress reports for the Technical Coordinator against the PATHS2 logistics workplan for national-level activities.
i.Support FMOH in developing and implementing their role in assuring the availability of essential health products to the poor. This may consist of following
a.Support FMOH to conduct necessary assessment and gap analysis to identify areas of support.
b.Work closely with FMOH and other stakeholders and support key partners to strengthen systems in identified areas of weakness.
c.Document and disseminate lessons learned.
j.Assure necessary technical assistance and support for the development and implementation of critical policies and systems designed to ensure a sustainable and pro poor health product supply.

Key Deliverables
The logistics advisor will assure preparation and delivery of the following documentation for logistics support activities:
a.Strategy for national support and international short-term technical assistance to the PATHS2-supported states for the purpose of strengthening public sector medical supply chains.
b.Annual Workplans and Budgets, Quarterly Mobilization Plans and Budgets.
c.Monthly and Quarterly logistics report (to form part of PATHS2 report to DFID).
d.SOW/TOR for international logistics consultants
e.Presentations, briefings and other publication intended to disseminate findings and any lessons learned that strengthen both national and State policy making in the areas of supply chain management for health products and services.

Reporting
The Logistics Advisor will report to the PATHS2 Technical Coordinator for all work planning and project management-related issues. S/he will work in close coordination with the PATHS2 State-level logistics partner, AXIOS Foundation to assure that the international technical assistance as well any the national level activities are coordinated in terms of timing as well as being technically consistent. S/he will report to the JSI Country Director for administrative issues as well as for seeking technical guidance if/when required.
QUALIFICATIONS

JSI as a logistics partner of PATHS2 is engaged to provide the support at national level to strengthen health product logistics and supply chain. It is expected to hire a long term logistics advisor to work as member of PATHS2 team. The advisor will report to the PATHS2 Technical Coordinator for the PATHS2 Project and to the JSI Country Director.

Qualifications
* Post-graduate or graduate degree in pharmacy, public health, procurement, logistics, supply chain management or equivalent education or work experience.
* Senior-level experience in international public health supply chain management programs with particular experience in integrated logistics systems, forecasting, system design, and performance improvement.
* Proven experience managing rapidly growing public health programs, projects, and teams in a developing country context, with five years or more senior management experience preferred.
* Experience in performance improvement and development of human capacity.
* Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
* Excellent written and oral communications skills.
* Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with PipeLine, Quantimed, and/or other health supply chain management software a plus.
* Experience with donor-funded project management and financial procedures.
* Nigeria experience strongly preferred

Salary commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online by 03/25/2011.

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