Job Title: Commodities Procurement and Customs Clearance Specialist

Application Deadline: April 29, 2022

Chemonics International seeks experienced professionals for the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program - Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project. GHSC-PSM in Ethiopia will serve as vehicle through which USAID will procure and furnish health commodities, provide technical assistance to improve the country’s management of health supply chain and pharmacy service activities, and collaborate with key international stakeholders to support global and local health initiatives.

The project is currently seeking qualified COVID -19 commodities Procurement and Customs Clearance Specialist. The specialist is responsible to follow up procurement of global fund COVID-19 commodities and coordinating the shipments and clearance process of commodities procured for the program. The procurement specialist will work closely with the suppliers to ensure timely supply of the products in country. S/he is responsible for coordinating and communicating with the clearing Agents, Consignees (Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service), Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) and the Ethiopian Customs Authority. S/he takes the responsibility of requesting and obtaining pre‐import permits for all imported COVID-19 commodities from EFDA. S/he is also responsible for preparing documentation and request and obtain clearing agent delegation letter, duty free exemptions and other required letters and documents from consignee. S/he is also responsible for updating the in‐house shipment trackers and provide updates up on request.

Please see the criteria below and the SOW for details information:

Scope of Work (SOW)

COVID 19 commodities Procurement and Customs Clearance Specialist

The Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Management Project in Ethiopia

Background 

The purpose of the Global Health Supply Chain– Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC‐PSM) Program is to ensure uninterrupted supplies of health commodities in support of United States Government (USG)‐funded public health initiatives around the world. The project provides direct procurement and supply chain management support to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), Population and Reproductive Health and USAID’s Newborn Child and Maternal Health programs. In supporting USG‐funded global health activities, GHSC‐PSM will develop and manage a wide array of services for health commodity procurement and related systems strengthening technical assistance encompassing different elements of a comprehensive supply chain. At the country level, GHSC‐PSM supports country strategies and priorities that fall under the following three

Project objectives:

• Global Commodity Procurement and Logistics
• Systems Strengthening Technical Assistance
• Global Collaboration to Improve Long‐Term Availability of Health Commodities

Purpose

The COVID -19 commodities Procurement and Customs Clearance Specialist is responsible to follow up procurement of global fund COVID-19 commodities and coordinating the shipments and clearance process of commodities procured for the program. The procurement specialist will work closely with the suppliers to ensure timely supply of the products in country. S/he is responsible for coordinating and communicating with the clearing Agents, Consignees (Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service), Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) and the Ethiopian Customs Authority. S/he takes the responsibility of requesting and obtaining pre‐import permits for all imported COVID-19 commodities from EFDA. S/he is also responsible for preparing documentation and request and obtain clearing agent delegation letter, duty free exemptions and other required letters and documents from consignee. S/he is also responsible for updating the in‐house shipment trackers and provide updates up on request.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

As a COVID-19 Procurement and Customs Clearance Specialist for the GHSC‐PSM Ethiopia Program, the employee is responsible for the following principal duties and responsibilities:

• Follow up the procurement status of Global Fund procured commodities and ensure timely supply and provide update to all relevant stakeholders
• Perform and implement all customs clearance activities such as following upcoming shipment, documents transactions and day‐to‐day related activities in accordance with the objectives, policies, and procedure
• Review supplier and manufacturers export documentation such as Air Waybill, Bill of Lading, packing lists, etc. to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with government regulations and prepare the required documentation and obtain endorsement from the necessary Ethiopia. Government Agencies for expeditious clearance of COVID-19 commodities.
• Request and obtain pre‐import permits for COVID-19 commodities from EFDA.
• Request and obtain clearing agent delegation letter and other required letters and documents from consignee and request duty free waivers from USAID for all USAID consigned shipment.
• Follow up, track and trace shipments and documentation with the freight forwarders and shipping lines and update the in‐house trackers. Ensure that sensitive shipments (cold chain, short shelf life, urgently required products and high‐volume shipments) are clear and delivered to consignee within stipulated period.
• Work in collaboration with the in‐country freight forwarding agent to monitor the clearance process through customs.
• Notify warehouse and distribution team on delivery of shipments to consignee warehouses.
• Support the warehouse and distribution team in reconciling the delivered quantities with the purchase Orders and Invoices
• Collect and document final customs declarations, Proof of deliveries and consignees receiving documents for commodities delivered by GHSC‐PSM.
• Capture and report incidents that occurs during transit of shipments for remedial action
• Initiate, investigate and process claims for damaged shipments
• Coordinate with other partners in matters relating to timely clearance and delivery of commodities.
• Prepare and disseminate periodic reports with respect to Import and customs clearance section’s activities.
• Coordinate procured products’ verification on compliance to the country’s standard by the Ministry of Trade.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as requested by his/her supervisor 

Level of Effort and Location

•  This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with intermittent travel throughout the program’s target regions as needed.

Duration of Assignment

• May 2022 to April 2023

Supervision

• COVID 19 commodities Procurement and Customs Clearance Specialist will report to the GHSC-PSM Procurement and Customs Clearance Director and COVID-19 Commodities Supply Chain Manager.

Job Requirements

• First degree in pharmacy, laboratory, supply chain, procurement, Transportation, Business Administration; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant work experience for bachelor’s degree or 5 years relevant work experience for master’s degree
• Must have experience in procurement, shipping and freight logistics, or customs.
• Experience with pharmaceutical or laboratory commodities preferred.
• Demonstrated skills in coordination and communication
• Good knowledge in USAID rules and regulations, experience in international NGO preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a culturally diverse staff, clients, and consultants.
• Fluency in English required

How to Apply

Applicants can submit their application including motivation letter and updated CV via email: PSMEthiopiaRecruit@ghsc-psm.org Please specify the COVID-19 Commodities Procurement and Customs Clearance Specialist as the subject line in your email application

NB: No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.