Logistics and Supply Chain Management Consultant logistics consultants evaluate and improve logistical processes. They assess supply chain operations, develop cost-effective solutions to optimize logistical procedures, and implement improvement strategies. They may work as consultants in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, or transportation.

This post is entitled to hire a senior health supply chain management consultant who provides and coordinates the capacity building on warehousing, distribution and end-users monitoring at Amhara Regional Health Bureau (ARHB) and conflict-affected zones (Waghimra, North Wollo, south Wollo, North Gondar, west Gondar, Oromo special zone & North Shoa). The consultant will work on the coordination of the capacity-building activities on warehouse, distribution and end-users monitoring of UNICEF-supported health supplies with an objective of restoring the supply chain management capacity that has been seriously affected by the armed conflict.TitleLogistics and Supply Chain Management ConsultantNumber of Post sOne Duty StationAmhara Regional Health Bureau (ARHB), Bahir DarDuration6 months with possible extensionFund/Grant SM210246Reporting toLogistic and supply chain management department, ARHBThis is local position; it is open to Ethiopian Nationals only.

Background

Amhara region is one of the regions that were seriously affected by the armed conflict erupted in northern Ethiopia that led to serious humanitarian crises. The health sector is among the sectors which were affected seriously. 

As a result of the destruction and or looting inflicted by TPLF during the first round armed conflict, a total of 2,343 (52%) of the government health facilities (40 hospitals, 453 health centres and 1,850 health posts), 4 blood banks and 52 Ambulances have become non-functional in the region according to the Regional Health Bureau/Amhara public health institute report.

According to the Regional Health Bureau report, 9,888 health care providers have been displaced, traumatized, and need psychosocial and motivational intervention to resume duty. As a result, 3.7 million outpatient visits have been lost, 105,000 pregnant and lactating women, 160,000 vaccine targeted children and 322,000 people with chronic illnesses missed their life saving services and regular follow-up since July 2021. 

Furthermore, Due to the recently escalated northern armed conflict, 180 Health posts, 39 HCs and 1 primary hospital are not providing health service. Because of the service interruption, 259,343 children missed routine vaccination services and 78,689 pregnant and lactating women are missing out from lifesaving services in war affected zones.

To tackle these problems the Amhara Regional Health Bureau in collaboration with the health partners operating in the region has embarked on a huge health system restoration efforts. Restoration of the disrupted health supply chain management system, particularly in conflict affected zones and woredas has become one of the top priorities of the health system restoration initiative which is currently underway in the region.

However, due to the critical shortage of logistic and supply chain management experts in the region, the ARHB could not handle this problem with the existing staff. Hence, this reality has necessitated the recruitment of technical assistance who is qualified and experienced in the health supply chain management field 

With this regard, hiring a a senior health supply chain management consultant in warehousing, distribution and end-users monitoring with a focus on providing and coordinating the capacity building on warehousing, distribution and end-users monitoring at Amhara Regional Health Bureau’s (ARHB’s) and conflict affected zones (Waghimra, North Wollo, south Wollo, North Gondar, west Gondar, Oromo special zone & north Shoa) supply chain system has been planned. 

Purpose

The Supply Chain Management Consultant - will take the lead in coordinating the capacity-building activities in the areas of warehousing and distribution and in end-users monitoring of supplies and medical equipment at ARHB. The consultant will have a double-fold mandate of 1)coordinating the capacity-building tasks at the RHB and 2) playing a similar role at the zonal and woreda levels. 

Scope

The Supply Chain Specialist -technical consultant will engage in all the high-level system-strengthening aspects of ARHB’s warehousing and distribution in such a way that the improved capacity is attained by RHB in the area. 

Objectives

The technical assistance will have the following key and associated benefits.

• ARHB’s supply chain management best accommodates emergency response capacity in supply chain management, with more contributions to, planning, storage, inventory management and distribution of emergency commodities 

• ARHB gets more capacity in the areas of warehousing and distribution that synergizes the current status of warehouse operations excellence to be rolled out to all ZHDs and woreda health offices

• Efficient resource utilization due to integrated storage, inventory management and distribution of commodities to the end user

• ARHB gets the benefit from the retained capacity in the technical assistance provided…etc

 Key function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks 

Under the direct supervision the DDG for outbound logistics, senior health supply chain management consultant will serve as coordinator for the restoration and improvement of the supply chain system in the conflict-affected zones of the region.

The consultant is expected, but is not limited to, of the following:

• Support in the development and/or implementation of the ARHB warehousing and distribution optimization plan that is part of the strategic plan 

• Technically support the RHB in conducting health commodities needs assessment

• Support and coordinates the development of emergency supply chain management SOPs, capacity building pieces of training on emergency preparedness and response/Develop risk management/backup strategy to ensure emergency supply chain management 

• Technically support the RHB in the selection and quantification of health commodities

• Support the regional health bureau in following up the distribution of UNICEF priority health commodities to service delivery points

• Support the regional health bureau in inventory management

• Support the regional health bureau in assessing end-users verification of health commodities at service delivery points.

• Maintain excellent working relationships with the ARHB team, UNICEF Field office health team and other stakeholders critical to the successful improvement of the supply chain management of the regional health bureau, ZHDs and woreda health offices.

• Provide capacity building support through coaching, on-the-job mentoring, identifying specific skills gaps and helping ARHB to fill them 

• Support ARHB in ensuring MNCH and health emergency commodities are distributed rapidly, efficiently, equitably, and safely to the end user.

• Oversees the good working relationship with ZHDs & woreda health offices supply staff for laying the good ground for the improvement of the health supply chain management at the grass root level. 

• Applies sound supply chain and project management knowledge to contribute to the standardization of the outbound operation at ARHB in general

• Provide technical support into the ARHB supply chain management activities, including planning, defining indicators, and setting attainable targets; logistics system design, and logistics management information systems (LMIS)

• Ensure the adequate end-users monitoring of MNCH and health emergency commodities through developing appropriate targets and indicators, and undertaking monthly M&E activities in close coordination with ARHB

• Work closely with ARHB staff not only in warehousing and distribution but also other areas including supply and demand management, and data systems. 

• Work closely with the logistics and supply chain management department of to optimize ARHB`s warehousing and distribution operations.

Job Requirements

Educational background, work experience, and skills required

The Supply Chain Specialist is expected to fulfill the following and above requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and a master’s degree in public health or an advanced degree in  Logistics and supply chain management  or a related field is required, certification in project management has added advantage

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in managing and implementing public health supply chain management initiatives to improve supply chain operations; prior experience with donor-procured product integration into government systems is preferred.

• Hands-on experience in health supply chain management particularly on warehousing and distribution operations with an experience of project management on a similar program

• Proven experience on data analysis on warehousing, inventory, and distribution

• An ability to deliver results in complex and challenging environments

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain working relationships with RHB’s Logistic and supply chain management department staff, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with government offices.

• Skilled in actively working in high-performing teams and independently delivering the expected result

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic Educational background, work experience and skills required

The Supply Chain Specialist is expected to fulfill the following and above requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and a master’s degree in public health or an advanced degree in  Logistics and supply chain management  or a related field is required, certification in project management has added advantage

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in managing and implementing public health supply chain management initiatives to improve supply chain operations; prior experience with donor-procured product integration into government systems is preferred.

• Hands-on experience in health supply chain management particularly on warehousing and distribution operations with an experience of project management on a similar program

• Proven experience on data analysis on warehousing, inventory, and distribution

• An ability to deliver results in complex and challenging environments

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain working relationships with RHB’s Logistic and supply chain management department staff, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with government offices.

• Skilled in actively working in high-performing teams and independently delivering the expected result

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic 

How to Apply

Register using the following link https://bit.ly/3gnUTuh