Technical Advisor, Field-based Logistics Support

Grade: I

Job ID: 13-7194

Location: BD-Sylhet

# of Positions: 1

Center/Office: CPM - General

Project/Program: SIAPS

Application Due Date: 2014-01-24

Overall Responsibilities

SIAPS has been providing technical support to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Directorate General of Health Systems (DGHS) and the Directorate general of Family Planning of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) of Bangladesh for the strengthening of supply chain management systems required to manage health commodities. The scope of this work involves strengthening of procurement planning and management systems, logistics management information systems, warehousing and distribution capacity, as well as supporting the development of public sector capacity in supply chain management including capacity building of national indigenous institutions. 

The Technical Advisor for Field-based Logistics Support provides direct technical assistance to the DGFP and DGHS logistics personnel in the field to improve logistics management systems of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, specifically distribution, storage and inventory management of health commodities including contraceptives and other reproductive health commodities undertaken by the DGFP and DGHS. He or she will spend significant time visiting regional/district reserve stores (DRS)/ warehouses (WHs), Upazila stores, health clinics and other service delivery points and work with relevant logistics personnel in order to ensure product availability.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Provide direct technical assistance to support the logistics management of health commodities including contraceptives and other reproductive health commodities at the regional level and below. This may involve work on:

• Inventory Management: The Technical Advisor (TA) is to assist DGFP and DGHS logistics personnel about order processing, receiving procedure, storing commodities, issuing supplies, maximum-minimum stock level, average monthly consumption, lead time, stock on hand, safety stock, record keeping, waste management, Physical inventory etc.
• Warehouse Management: The TA is to work to introduce warehousing best practices at different levels of DGFP and DGHS logistics systems. Orient and introduce storage guidelines, store layout principals, optimum utilization of storage space, commodities location, proper use of Material Handling Equipment (MHE), etc.
• Distribution and transportation: The TA is to assist in preparing distribution plan, follow push-pull system, delivery schedule, considering storage capacity, analyzing consumption data, following FEFO method, route planning, etc.
• Management Information System: The TA is to work to keep all the MIS tools functional at all level. Orient field level DGFP and DGHS staffs on relevant management tools and the rational use of data in decision making. Work closely to generate quality data in the monthly reporting and assist to entering and uploading data in the portal.
• Performance Monitoring: The TA visits warehouses, Upazila Health and FP stores, Clinics (both GOB and NGO) in order to monitor their performance in logistics management and provide on the job training if require. 

2. Under take capacity building activities with MOHFW/DGFP/DGHS staffs responsible for logistics functions through mentoring, facilitating training, on-job training etc.
3. Attends different meetings at divisional, district and Upazila level and share logistics related issues in order to update changes in the logistics management systems.
4. Assist WHs and Upazila stores personnel during conducting of half yearly and yearly physical inventory of commodities.
5. Assist in de-junking of unusable/slow moving/obsolete items from the regional/district WHs and Upazila Stores.
6. Participate in logistics management related different working groups meeting and discussion forum and discussed different logistics issues.
7. Undertake joint monitoring visit with regional counterparts and assist them in using monitoring checklist and build their monitoring capacity as well.
8. Prepare and submit monthly monitoring visit report to the Senior Technical Advisor (STA).
9. Perform any other duties that may be assigned by MSH.

Qualifications

1. Advanced degree in medicine, pharmacy and or relevant discipline with background in public health or related field.
2. Experience in providing technical assistance in public health program/projects especially supply chain management program implemented by international organizations
3. Significant experience in public health with at least three years’ experience related to pharmaceutical management and or supply management or relevant public health program, preferably in work funded by USAID.
4. Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a team-oriented, culturally diverse environment.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, communication skills, training experience, ability to identify and resolve policy and operational constraints.
6. Self-motivated, strong initiative.
7. Experience and ability working with senior government officials.
8. Experience with USAID and other donor agencies desirable.
9. Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills in English.
10. Demonstrated intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with Microsoft Project a plus.
11. English fluency required including speaking, writing, and reading;
12. Ability to travel frequently in-country
13. Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to the US as needed.

Background Information

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

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