Technical Specialist, Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) at United Nations Population Fund - UNFPA

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
 
The Global Programme to enhance Reproductive Health Commodities Security (GPRHCS) is a part of the UNFPA’s global efforts to improve access to and utilization of quality reproductive health commodities worldwide. The Global programme works with national government to strengthen or establish secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable systems to ensure supply of and demand for a wide range of reproductive health commodities: including contraceptives and condoms, maternal health and STD related drugs. With support from the GPRHCS, the UNFPA Country Office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria is working closely with Federal, States and Local Government counterparts in support of government-led efforts to all aspects of in-country demand and supply chains.
 
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:
 
Based in Abuja, under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria and the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) Technical Specialist will work closely with the National RHCS Analyst and Programme Teams in the UNFPA Country office. S/he will also work closely with different Nigerian Federal and State Ministry of Health Departments, Local Governments, NGOs and partners to enhance Reproductive Health Commodity security (RHCS).
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 
Provide leadership and technical support to national efforts to analyze RH commodity systems, to design the health commodity supply logistic in line with the health priorities defined in the National Health Strategy, and the national RHCS plans.
 
Advocacy, Partnership and Resource Mobilization
• Lead the national advocacy efforts with partners and facilitate adoption of an integrated approach to SRH in general and specifically to RHCS that takes as its foundation the reliable and consistent availability of planned RH commodities. This integrated approach is complemented by a focus on issues of quality of care, improvements to the national environment as well as questions of access and demand.
• Collaborate with the country office staff members to promote integrated approaches to improving reproductive health, particularly in areas such as: (i) Condom programming under HIV/AIDS programme; (ii) Improving access to contraceptives by unmarried young people; (iii) Repositioning family planning.
• Collaborate with other UN Agencies and development partners to promote and provide integrated technical support for RH/RHCS within countries (particularly with WHO, UNICEF, DFID, USAID, CIDA) and to carry out and implement findings of joint assessment of critical maternal health drugs.
• Identify potential new donors and initiate the development of proposals to mobilize resources for the programme
 
Capacity development and Technical Support
• Provide technical support and advice to strengthen the national health system for an increased accessibility, demand creation and use of RH commodities to all individuals. This will entail a demonstrated ability to provide technical advice and information on how to increase contraceptive prevalence rate, condom usages, and effectiveness of national logistics systems.
• Build national capacity in contraceptive technology (especially long acting methods) and logistics planning and management (quantification and forecasting, identifying warehouses and setting-up/schedule transportations, identify suitable routings, communicate with FMOH on stock availability, provide update accurate reports, etc.)
• Technical leadership and support to national partners in setting up an effective procurement and supply management for all health commodities in compliance with national standards and norms
• Provide support for an improved coordination, organization and management of the Logistic Management Information System (LMIS), with RHCS mainstreamed, of the public health facilities and ensure national ownership and readiness to take over this responsibility
• Lead the roll-out of CHANNEL software through capacity building, installation of adequate equipment, sustain monitoring and supporting supervision
• Assist national partners in analyzing and disseminating data on the movement and utilization of commodities;
• Provide technical assistance to ensure the effective functioning of the RHCS Committee and monitor the procurement of Reproductive Health Commodities to ensure uninterrupted flow of RHCS;
• Lead the improvement of the Contraceptive Commodity Warehouse (CCW) Shed36 (renovation, equipment, functioning) and support State warehouses.
 
Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination
• Contribute to the identification, analysis and synthesis of technical knowledge and evidence-based information in RHCS
• Coordinate the implementation of the annual GPRHCS survey
• Assist to organize and participate actively in meetings and desk reviews and undertake monitoring missions to assess progress of the strategic plan implementation, including appropriate substantive and administrative follow-up actions.
• Oversee, monitor and analyze on a continuous basis, substantive programme implementation, including preparing substantive programme and financial reports on the national RHCS Strategic Plan. Undertake any other assignments as may be given by UNFPA Representative.
 
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
 
Core Competencies
• Commitment to UNFPA Values and Guiding Principles;
• Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment/Performance Management; Team Work/Communication/Self-Management
• Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making;
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning
 
Functional Competencies
• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Job knowledge/technical expertise and Results based management
• Adaptation/application of knowledge in different contexts
• Integration in a multidisciplinary environment
 
QUALIFICATIONS:
 
• Advanced university degree in medical, pharmacy, procurement, logistics, supply chain management or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Professional and logistics qualifications in procurement an asset. A course in logistics, essential drugs, and MIS is a plus.
• 7 years experience in increasing responsibilities at the national level in SRH ideally, in logistics systems, public sector pharmaceutical supplies management of which 5 years experience should be in developing countries with direct experience relating to health and logistics systems and management of family planning programmes. Also experience in public sector pharmaceutical program management at national level, especially in policy & management, Selection, Access, Quality Assurance and Rational Drug Use is strongly desired.
• Extensive knowledge of supply management: forecasting, warehousing, distribution, transportation, logistics information systems and eLMIS.
• Significant public procurement and supply management experience related to the Health Sector (pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical medical supplies), and other funding mechanisms emphasizing donor coordination/harmonization and in challenging situation.
• Senior-level procurement and supply management and advisory services covering the full procurement cycle and significant experience in logistics capacity building, covering the full procurement cycle,
• Health sector-specific experience, including: Experience with Public Health systems in developing countries, Health Commodity Supply Market, Logistics and inventory management related to pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, based on sound Supply Chain Management principles
• Excellent written and oral communications skills. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is an asset.
 
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender quality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.
 
We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position. The package includes a competitive salary plus housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.
 
1/ No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulation 4.5