Job Openings at the Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

Job ID: 13-10852
Location: Abuja
Group/Office: PDG (Program Delivery Group)
Dept/Unit: PDGGEN - Program Delivery Group
Project/Program: A607 - Nigeria Global Fund RSSH
Reports To: Director, Laboratory

Overview

• The Senior Laboratory Program Officer position is designed to support the implementation of Lab system strengthening interventions and activities within the RSSH project.
• Position will work from the Laboratory unit of the FMoH and closely Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) [RSSH SR for Laboratory Services] and with all stakeholders towards a strengthened national laboratory systems.

Specific Responsibilities

• Support the fleshing-out of the roles of the FMoH within the laboratory space
• Support project stakeholder management effort especially as it relates to the lab sector.
• Support the development of concept notes and guidance documents in relation to project interventions and activities.
• Support the implementation of project interventions and activities.
• Support the development and implementation of the project learning agenda.
• Support reporting of grant activities and results.
• Support the development of communication products including but not limited to success stories, fact sheets, technical briefs, abstracts and publications.
• In close collaboration with stakeholders, support the development of high quality laboratory systems in support of the delivery of quality comprehensive HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB services and more.
• Support the documentation and dissemination of best practices.
• Support the strengthening of laboratory management information systems as well as laboratory commodity logistics systems in country.
• Support the development and deployment of standard biosafety and biosecurity guidelines and manuals (including training on same).
• Support the strengthening of supply chain management as it relates to laboratory services.
• Support the strengthening of M&E as it relates to laboratory services.
• Represent the project within the laboratory stakeholders community.
• Provide clear documentation of programmatic achievements and keep management informed on monthly, quarterly and annual basis.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences or appropriate natural sciences
• At least 8 years' experience with the laboratory services system in Nigeria
• Master's Degree in public health should confer an advantage on the applicant.
• Strong leadership and supervisory experience
• Experience with lab systems strengthening efforts and practices across disease programs [including HIV, TB and Malaria] and donors.
• Experience working with the key stakeholders within the Nigerian lab services landscape including government and implementing partner landscapes.
• Experience in designing and implementing laboratory system strengthening interventions.
• Experience developing or supporting the development of laboratory systems guidance documents, strategic frame works, concept notes, SOPs, manuals etc.
• Experience designing and executing capacity building events including the development of training manuals and training facilitation.
• Very strong leadership experience.
• Strong project management and communication skills required.
• Experience in supply chain management and or M&E as it relates to laboratory services

go to method of application »

Job ID: 13-10853
Location: Nigeria-Abuja
Group/Office: PDG (Program Delivery Group)
Dept/Unit: PDGGEN - Program Delivery Group
Project/Program: A607 - Nigeria Global Fund RSSH
Reports To: Director Lab
Grade: Consultant
Slot: 2 Openings

Overview

• The Nigeria national supply chain and pharmaceutical logistics management faces numerous challenges as a result of weak human resources capacity, poor funding, coordination, inadequate data availability to inform robust quantification and procurement process, infrastructural and parallel systems and implementers, infrastructural decay, dry pipeline and frequent wastages due to expiries and damages. In response to this, the Federal Government established the National Product Supply Chain Management Program (NPSCMP) in the department of Food and Drugs Services in 2012 whose key mandate includes collaborating with all programs and projects within and outside Federal Ministry of Health to ensure effective management of supply chain systems and championing efficient supply chain system.
• As an offshoot of this, a project arm, Nigeria Supply Chain Integration Project (NSCIP) was established in 2015 to implement these objectives. The project has recorded successes in streamlining structures, policies, roles, stakeholder mapping, coordination instruments at the three levels, means of transmitting capacities and other support from the FMoH level down to the LGAs, etc. But there are still challenges as well as opportunities. The positively disruptive entry into the national supply chain space by BMGF has opened a flood of new learnings from the private sector to enhance the efficiency of the Public sector supply chain. This is timely as the country contemplates the integration of the programme medicines and Essential Medicines management that runs on private sector business models.
• The main concerns currently include but not limited to the following:
  • Poor commitment to prevent the wastages of “free” Donor Products, promote operational efficiency, cost sensitivity and efficient assets management – like in the commercial sector
  • Focus on the 6 highly funded public health disease/health management areas (TB, HIV, Vaccine, etc.)– as these do not address the overall health of the Nigerian patient as provided for by UHC
  • The reduced focus on building financially self-sustaining systems (i.e. neglecting entrepreneurial practices) as if Donor support will continue to cater for all needs for ever.
  • Traditional Feedback and support (the bedrock of system strengthening) weakened due to upward reporting
  • Partners without the requisite authority to supervise engaged for service delivery points
  • The need to harness the Strengths of Private & Public sector supply chains
  • The imperative to harmonize roles among the three levels of government, in accordance with their respective core competencies - so that the patient Nigerian receives one stream of service
  • The imperative to bridge the OUTPUT-OUTCOME gap through improved activity governance & increased awareness/control of VULNERABILITIES
• As a result of these rapid changes, there is a need construct an all embracing strategic framework for the Nigeria’s public health targeting effective support for Universal
• Global Fund grants under Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) aims at building self -sustaining systems that integrate community responses to end HIV, TB and Malaria of which Nigeria assumed a disproportionate burden of the diseases. In line with this, important sub-objectives of RSSH relating to PSM includes strengthening global and in-country procurement and supply chain systems, leverage critical investments in human resources for health, strengthening data systems for health and countries’ capacities for analysis and use among others.

Purpose of the Consultancy

• To facilitate the engagement of all relevant stakeholders across the country to reach consensus on key points on the future (2020-2025) of the National supply chain; and guided by NPSCMP and the Frame work document already prepared for the purpose, to develop the first National Supply Chain Strategy document.

Objectives of the consultancy

• The objective of this consultancy is to manage the process of creating an effective strategic plan and operationalization procedures to guide the NPSCMP and all relevant partners to achieve its mission, goals, and objectives for 2020 - 2025. This consultancy work is funded by Global Fund RSSH grant and other yet to be determined partners. The fund administration procedures will be executed according to Global Fund requirements.

Scope of work
The scope of the consultancy is to provide technical, strategic and facilitation support to enable the drafting of the national PSM strategic plan for 2020-2025. After the initial document review especially the Frame work, the consultant will develop an analysis framework and work plan to guide the assessment and the development of the strategic plan. S/he will conduct a thorough but focused assessment of Nigeria PSM’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, with a view to identifying appropriate strategic options for the planned operational period. The assessment will include review of relevant documents as identified in collaboration with in-country Global Fund Principal Recipients (PRs) NPSCMP, ATM Implementing partners, LMCUs, LLMCUs and other stakeholders. Specifically, the activities include but not limited to the following:

• Undertake a situation analysis of NPSCMP leadership, innovation, strategic operations to date vs recommendations identify strengths and challenges.
• Review the institutional capacity, structure, and organizational set-up, financial and administrative systems against the NPSCMP mandate and make recommendations for renewed focus.

Facilitate discussion over the vision and mission to inform the new strategic plan:

• Through a consultative process and application of an appropriate tool of analysis, identify/select the final focus areas and develop strategic objectives and key result areas for the same.
• Propose a strategy for achieving the strategic objectives and key results.
• Develop a Results and Resources Framework for the plan period and hold stakeholders’ meeting to validate the draft Strategic Plan,

Finalize Strategic plan and develop operationalization SOP and plan for implementation.

The planned activity will hold in Abuja or other mutually agreed venues.

Specific Responsibilities
Deliverables:

• Draft outline of strategy and activity plan including format and workplan presented to sub-committee members and agree on it
• Inception report of the work to be undertaken.
• Draft report summarizing the results to be presented in a stakeholder workshop aimed at review and enrichment of the work of the consultant.
• A final draft of the strategic plan covering 2020-2025.
• A standardized operationalization procedure to implement the strategic plan.
• Weekly progress notes
• Final Report of activities carried out in development of the strategic plan.

Management/Supervision of the work

• The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the National Coordinator, NPSCMP in close collaboration with the MSH Director, Supply Chain Management, BMGF representative on technical supply chain, all under guidance of the Director, Food and Drug Services Department of the Federal Ministry of Health with technical support from the National PSM Technical Working Group.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of a Master's degree in Pharmacy, Supply Chain Management, Public health or Operations Management is required. Or a related advanced degree with additional qualifications and/or professional certifications in Supply Chain Management.

Prior Work Experience:

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years cognate experience in public and private sector health organizations is highly desirable. A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional level experience in health logistics strategic planning, operations management, organizational and change management, policy formulation and development is required.

Language Proficiency:

• A level 4 proficiency in English for speaking, reading and writing is required.

Job Knowledge:

• Expert knowledge of the major issues affecting health products supply chain management and financing in the Nigerian health system and a sound understanding of current issues in supply chain systems along with demonstrated knowledge of existing public health programs in Nigeria.
• Familiarity with public and private sector engagements in procurement and supply chain management.
• Expert knowledge of global best practices for supply chain management and methodologies for strategic and operational plan formulation, development and implementation.
• Knowledge of supply chain structure and functions, roles and responsibilities of other stakeholders is highly desirable.

Evidence of having undertaken similar assignments:

• Experience in public health coordination, leadership, and governance Innovation, research, policy development, management and programming-related work.
• Experience in Drug Revolving Fund business/operations management and programming-related work.
• Health Facility feedback and hands-on support supervisory support

Demonstrated experience in working with government partners and other stakeholders in public sector development programs

In-depth knowledge of Nigeria health system with emphasis on her public health and supply chain systems; Essential Medicines Management in Nigeria

• Health Facilities feedback and hands-on support

Skills And Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to work effectively in a team and with senior level public and private sector officials, academia, development partners and other stakeholders in the health sector.
• Applicants must demonstrate that they are able to develop effective project manager relationships with excellent organizational, communication and facilitation skills.
• Applicants must demonstrate advanced analytical and problem solving skills, as well as the ability to effectively manage stress and conflict.
• Applicant must be highly motivated and committed to the values of transparency and integrity.
• Be result-oriented, a team player, exhibiting high levels of tact and integrity;
• High level skills in facilitation of stakeholder engagements/workshops.

Evaluation And Selection
After the closing date for receipt of applications, all applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum qualifications expressed in Section 6. Those applications that meet the required minimum qualifications will be assessed based on the following selection/evaluation criteria:

• Education (10 points)
• Prior Work Experience (20 points)
• Language Proficiency (10 points)
• Job Knowledge (30 points)
• Skills and abilities (30 points).