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The SCM Specialist will be based at State Ministry of Health (SMoH) offices to support the implementation of procurement and supply chain management activities at the state level and with partner health facilities. The focus will be on building capacity of partnering health facilities in all areas of procurement and supply chain management, including but not limited to forecasting and quantification, inventory management, storage/warehousing, distributions, quality assurance and quality controls, and reporting. The SCM Specialist will ensure a coordination role between actors at the state level.
PLEASE NOTE: MSH is seeking 13 State SCM Specialists. There will be one State SCM Specialist in each of the following locations: Delta, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, Katsina, Taraba, Adamawa, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, and Yobe. Please indicate on your CV/ cover letter for which position location you are applying.

Specific Responsibilities

• Support partner health facilities in quantification of malaria commodities and the submission of their bi-monthly Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) reports by collecting, synthesizing and transmitting data & information related to commodity utilization at the partner facilities as an input into forecasting future needs for CRS and NMEP.
• Provide technical assistance and strengthen the capacity of health facility personnel and Community Oriented Resource Persons (CORPs) as appropriate in the management of malaria commodities and distribution in the assigned state(s).
• Participate in site assessment visits and contribute actively to the development of strengthening plans.
• Work with partner health facilities to implement pharmacy related improvements and recommendations identified during assessments.
• Apply training guides and resources to facilitate capacity building at the SMoH and partner health facilities as needed and as new protocols are developed.
• Conduct physical inventory of malaria commodities in the partner facilities on monthly basis and sends report to the SCM and Program Managers accordingly.
• Support quality assurance and quality control activities, as needed.
• In collaboration with relevant stakeholders and the state-based, support the development of distribution plans, and ensure that delivery of health products from the State Medical Stores to CRS’ partner facilities by the Third-Party Logistics Provider is well coordinated with appropriate and timely refills of commodities based on bi-monthly facility stock reports submitted by facilities.
• Monitoring of distribution rounds to be carried out by the 3PL, including spot check visits as the need arises to ensure that health products are distributed in line with Good Distribution Practices.
• Review reports received from the 3PL and ensure monthly/quarterly reconciliation of quantity of all health products delivered to the state against the quantity issued out/consumed, in addition to reconciling programmatic data at the state level with logistics data.
• Where relevant, provide logistics support in the implementation of LLIN mass campaign in collaboration with LLIN campaign implementation team.
• Write and submit monthly and quarterly progress reports to the SCM and Senior Program Managers.
• Work as a team member of the LMCU where in LMCU is in existence.
• Serve as a link between CRS and National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), SMoH, and Third Party Logistics Providers to ensure the supply of commodities to health facilities is seamless.
• Represent CRS at all state level SCM meeting and subcommittees and SCM technical working groups.
• Ensure that Global Fund guidance is adhered to in the various procurement and supply chain management activities.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline (B. Pharm preferred), logistics management, business administration or any other related degree from a recognized university, and 6 years of relavent experience, or a Master’s degree in a related program with a minimum of 4 years’ experience.
• 3 years’ experience providing technical and managerial services in pharmaceutical and health supplies logistics; specific experience in malaria desired.

Knowledge and Skills

• Highly skilled pharmacist
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and fluency in English
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong numeric skills and attention to detail and quality
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment while maintaining an individual workload
• Logical and flexible approach to solving problems, especially when working under pressure
• Monitoring/assessing performance to make improvements or take corrective action
• Ability to form relationships and work closely with national and state level health authorities and partners
• Demonstrated ability to monitor, supervise, and provide support to health facilities in supply chain activities
• Familiarity with local logistical operations in the country such as distribution, inventory management and warehousing operations
• Demonstrable ability to provide training in rational use of medicines, inventory management and issues relating to drug supply management
• Ability to work both in a team and independently and ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training and coaching
• Experience with, and demonstrated commitment to, community-based approach to development
• Ability to interface with multiple stakeholders, representatives, and partners in a professional manner on an ongoing basis
• Excellent problem solving and decision making skills
• Flexible, adaptable and ability to multitask
• Ability to manage time effectively to ensure timely and accurate completion of assigned tasks
• Excellent analytical and information seeking skills, good decision-making skills

Competencies

• If candidate is a pharmacist, registered with the relevant professional body-Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
• Excellent grasp of SCMS issues and current literature on SCMS in a developing country context.
• Excellent understanding of comprehensive malaria programming, including program design, implementation and evaluation.
• Strong working competency in computer applications to carry out management and data analysis as may be required.
• Ability to work independently with strong problem-solving skills and ability to foresee problems and initiate appropriate action.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to the partner sites and on short notice.