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 short term Cold Chain Management Specialist- COVID 19 Vaccines for Amhara region. The specialist is responsible to support the optimization of COVID-19 vaccines, handling, storage and distribution, cold chain facilities management practices, and improving cold chain and vaccines management competencies at subnational levels through providing technical assistance to Amhara Regional Health Bureau (RHB), Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service (EPSS) hubs (Bahir Dar, Gonder and Dessie), woreda health offices (WoHOs) and health facilities (HFs).

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

Background

The purpose of the Global Health Supply Chain Program– Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project 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) and Population and Reproductive Health. 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, and

• Global collaboration to improve long‐term availability of health commodities.

 Purpose

The GHSC-PSM Cold Chain Management Specialists is responsible to support the optimization of COVID-19 vaccines, handling, storage and distribution, cold chain facilities management practices, and improving cold chain and vaccines management competencies at subnational levels through providing technical assistance to Amhara Regional Health Bureau (RHB), Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service (EPSS) hubs (Bahir Dar, Gonder and Dessie), woreda health offices (WoHOs) and health facilities (HFs).

In coordination with GHSC-PSM cold chain facility staffs at head office and EPSS center, s/he will provide supports to EPSS hubs, WoHOs, and HFs found in Amhara Region to effectively deliver COVID-19 vaccines, ensure proper management of cold chain facilities and equipment, establish efficient processes that maintain product quality and ensure last mile cold chain and vaccines management system in compliance with the country standards for the storage, handling, and distribution of vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products. S/he will coordinate subnational level capacity building training to relevant staffs working in the subnational cold chain and vaccines management system.

 Major Duties and Responsibilities

Provide technical assistance on vaccines and cold chain management to RHBs, EPSS hubs, WoHOs and HFs in the effort to establish efficient processes, maintain product quality and ensure compliance with the country standards for the storage, handling, and distribution of temperature-sensitive products

• Enhance cold chain management competencies of health professional who are involved in vaccine and cold chain equipment management at EPSS hubs, woreda and health facilities.

• Support to improve qualification and calibration of temperature monitoring devices at EPSS hubs, woredas and health facilities.

• Enhance the capacity of the cold chain system at subnational levels for identification and management of risks related to the management of COVID-19 and other vaccines.

• Improve overall compliance of EPSS hubs and woredas’ cold chain facilities that are used for COVID-19 and other vaccines storage, and distribution with the country and global quality and regulatory standards and requirements.

• Provide support to EPSS for improving the preventive and curative maintenance practices for cold chain equipment that are used for storage and transportation of vaccines.

• Support RHBs EPSS hubs and HFs on the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine services and supply chain activities integration into primary health care services based on the national COVID-19 integration strategies and directions.

• Improve the management of excess vaccines and proper waste management through implementation of appropriate and contextual approaches.

• Using key performance indicators to monitor the performance of warehousing and distribution operation at EPSS Bahir Dar, Gonder and Dessie Hubs.

• Actively participate in the establishment/strengthening of subnational level technical working group or task force, with an emphasis on COVID-19 vaccines distribution and cold chain equipment management.

• Provide regular site level support to woreda health offices and health facilities in the proper and efficient management of vaccines and cold chain equipment.

• Prepare weekly and monthly action plans and progress reports to the HIV and COVID 19 Advisor according to agreed schedules.

• Properly document achievements/success stories, lessons learned and report compilation for project activities.

• Exhibit Chemonics values and build culture of “Living our Values” within the team. Understand and adhere to established policies and procedures and promote them throughout GHSC-PSM staff.

• Perform any other relevant duties assigned by the GHSC-PSM Cold Chain Facility Coordinator.

Level of Effort and Duty Station

• This position will be based in Bahir Dar (RHB office) with frequent travel throughout theprogram’s target and support sites.

 Duration of assignment

Until May 31, 2023 (short term)

 Supervision

•  The GHSC-PSM Cold Chain Management Specialist will report directly to the GHSC-PSM HIV and COVID 19 Advisor.

 Direct Reports

• No direct reports to her/him.

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 staffs, clients, and consultants.

• Fluency in English required.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your application including motivation letter and updated curriculum vitae via: PSMEthiopiaRecruit@ghsc-psm.org before January 12, 2024. Please specify Cold Chain Management Specialist-COVID 19 Vaccines for Amhara region as the subject line in your email application OR YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERD. 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