SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNICAL ADVISOR WASHINGTON, DC

The Global Health Fellows Program is seeking a Technical Advisor II or III: Supply Chain Technical Advisor (GHFP-10-207) in Washington, DC. Assignment: Two year fellowship. The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute (PHI) in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health, Management Systems International and Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. GHFP is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). GHFP's goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID Population, Health and Nutrition programs by developing and increasing capacity of health professionals in Washington, DC and overseas. This is accomplished through the recruitment, placement and support of junior, mid and senior level health professionals; a diversity initiative focused on providing internship and mentoring opportunities in international public health to underrepresented communities; and professional and organizational development activities to bolster USAID's ability to maximize results and strengthen its leadership role in global health. BACKGROUND: Commodity security: when clients can obtain and use essential health commodities (pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumable supplies, etc.) when and where they need them is an essential component in the provision of health services. However, because of inadequate and unreliable supplies and ineffective health systems, many low and middle income countries are unable to maintain access to essential health commodities for people who need them, most especially the poor and near poor. Effective supply chain management is one critical determinant of commodity security and in turn of the success of public health programs. A well-functioning supply chain can increase program impact, enhance quality of care, and improve cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Yet, in many low and middle income countries, public health supply chains are unable to deliver on these benefits in a sustained manner. The constraints that they face include ineffective and inefficient supply chain system designs and operational procedures, poor infrastructure (warehouses, roads, information systems, etc.), inadequate financial resources, human resource constraints, and lack of adequate institutional/ management leadership and support. USAID has long been a leader in both donating essential health supplies and helping countries develop systems to ensure that supplies are readily available to clients in need. The Commodity Security and Logistics (CSL) Division, housed with the Bureau for Global Health's (GH) Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH), has as its mission to ensure for clients the long-term availability of a range of high- quality contraceptives, condoms and other essential health supplies through public and private services. The Supply Chain Technical Advisor (Advisor) will work in the Commodity Security and Logistics Division. The Advisor will apply his/her expertise in supply chain management to address persistent problems that are preventing public health supply chains from meeting the basic health commodity requirements of clients and the programs on which they depend. The focus will depend on the Advisor's specific area of expertise, and could include, as some examples, quantification and procurement, inventory management (storage, distribution - particularly to the "last mile"), or quality assurance of products in the supply chain. The Supply Chain Technical Advisor will be expected to provide technical assistance in the identification, adaptation, and testing of new technologies, innovations, and proven best practices to improve supply chain performance, drawing from other sectors such as the commercial and humanitarian logistics sectors, and particularly as they can improve supply chain performance and sustainability in the face of significant financial and human resource constraints. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Supply Chain Technical Advisor will provide technical guidance and leadership for supply chain strengthening to USAID country Missions, USAID/Washington, USAID's implementing partners, in- country organizations, and international partners. The Advisor will: Provide technical guidance to USAID missions and country partners (national governments, and local private sector partners such as non-governmental and social marketing organizations that work with health supplies) in their efforts to strengthen supply chains and enhance the availability of quality and affordable contraceptives and other essential medicines/ supplies in local public health programs in the public and private sectors. The focus is on USAID priority countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Liaise with USAID mission health officers to share leading practices and lessons learned to inform the design, implementation, and evaluation of activities for supply chain strengthening. Participate in GH country teams to support integration of supply chain concerns in field programs, including for the Global Health Initiative (GHI) and USAID's BEST initiative for family planning/ reproductive health, maternal and child health, and nutrition, working through such processes as program evaluations, program designs, and strategy development and review. Serve as a public health supply chain specialist, and advocate for investments in health commodities and the systems that support a full supply to clients in need within USAID/Washington (GH, regional bureaus, etc.), and to USAID's partner organizations at the regional and global levels. Provide technical leadership in supply chain strengthening to GH implementing partners (cooperating agencies). Develop new and strengthen existing relationships with international partners (e.g., bilateral donors, multilateral organizations, private foundations) to address technical needs in supply chain strengthening; foster improved communication, coordination, and collaboration with these partners on specific operational activities for supply chain strengthening. Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Technical Advisor's own interests. REQUIREMENTS: Master's degree in supply chain management, public health/ administration, business administration, or related discipline. Experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of supply chains; and the identification, testing, and deployment of innovations and proven best practices for improved supply chain performance and efficiency. Areas of specific expertise relevant to this position include, but are not necessarily limited to, quantification and procurement, inventory management (storage, distribution - particularly to the "last mile"), or quality assurance of products in the supply chain. Knowledge of and/or experience with managing pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and other health supplies in developing country or other resource challenged settings preferred. Professional certification(s) in procurement, logistics, and/or other relevant fields. Experience in strategic planning and project/ activity design and management. High degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity and originality to interpret strategy, to analyze, develop and present work and to monitor and evaluate implementation of programs. Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment. Open professional style, blending teamwork and participation with individual initiatives as well as having a can- do orientation and service mindset; effective team building and ability to work in diverse teams, strategic thinking, taking a leadership role, appreciative listening, and achieving results. Diplomacy and ease working within an international community and in diverse cultural settings. Excellent oral communication and writing skills. Proficiency in French (most preferred), Spanish, or Portuguese. Willingness to travel to developing countries. US citizenship or US permanent residency required. In addition to the above, the position requires the following at each level: Technical Advisor II: Minimum five years' experience in supply chain strengthening, preferably in the private sector and/or in developing country or other resource-challenged settings. Technical Advisor III: Minimum ten years' experience in supply chain strengthening, including in the private sector, with at least three to five years' experience in strengthening public health supply chains in developing country or other resource challenged settings. Salary will be based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs http://www.ghfp.net/docs/2011_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.pdf. TO APPLY: All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP's online recruitment system at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application. All online applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time July 18, 2011. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer.