Commodity Security & Risk Management Officer, USAID/Zambia Program for Advancing Supply Chain Outcomes (PASCO)

Job Description

This Opportunity:

The Commodity Security & Risk Management Officer will primarily engage with the entity responsible for supply chain management and the Ministry of Health to identify and keep the project and USAID informed about significant changes, potential risks, progress, and challenges related to the health commodity supply chain. All monitoring support and interventions will aim to ensure the uninterrupted availability of health commodities at health facilities. This highly demanding role requires skills, tact, excellent coordination, and communication skills. This role requires a strong understanding of government systems and the ability to be a change agent with a problem-solving approach.

The Program for Advancing Supply Chain Outcomes (PASCO) is an anticipated project, and the position is contingent upon an award from USAID.

You and Your Career:

If you are a problem-solver, collaborator, and doer, and you have expertise in health commodity supply chain management, we are interested in hearing from you. We are a learning organization and provide growth opportunities from the start. We pride ourselves on giving you the freedom, resources, and guidance to chart a fulfilling career!

Reporting and Supervision:

The Commodity Security and Risk Management Officer will report to the Chief of Party.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with USAID, headquarters-based staff, and Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) to raise and get the timely approval of requisition orders to ensure timely shipments.
• Process commodities per the commodity flow chart including receiving, processing, shipping, and documentation for waivers and clearances while keeping in constant touch with the USAID Mission and ZAMMSA, shippers, and relevant ministries; and, update the flow chart and shipment status as needed.
• Ensure physical inventory counts of stock on inventory worksheets
• Submit timely invoices to commodity recipients and the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) upon the delivery of commodities.
• Provide leadership and support to service delivery points to analyze HIV, malaria, reproductive health and maternal newborn and child health (MNCH) commodity security systems.
• Work closely with the service delivery points to track the status of stocks of key HIV, malaria, family planning, and MNCH commodities and monitor the shelf life of commodities
• Monitor stock availability rates and initiate interventions to prevent stock-outs and the expiry of products
• Prepare, update and present stock status reports
• Analyze stocks of commodities for supply planning and assist the procurement of health commodities.
• Visit warehouses to verify stock book balances with physical stock balances of usable and unusable (damaged or expired) commodities.
• Periodically review warehouse ledgers, waybills, and physical inventory worksheets and ensure that all documents and ledgers have been countersigned.
• Provide orientation and coaching or on-site training to warehouse staff.
• Ensure that adequate quantities of needed materials and equipment are available in warehouses.
• Review quarterly distribution plans and commodity lists, update stock out rates to ensure fewer stockouts, and increase the reporting rate and quality of reports.
• Coordinate with service delivery points on stock availability and attend quarterly commodity coordination meetings

Key Competencies Required:

• At least five years of professional experience preferably with two to three years experience of health commodity supply chain management
• A related master’s degree or equivalent experience in supply chain logistics
• A proven record of being a manager and a self-starter with an outgoing, and results-oriented approach and good problem solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to work on complex assignments using judgment and initiative to resolve problems
• Ability to coordinate activities within the project office and with various partners/stakeholders
• Ability and willingness to travel across Zambia
• Expert user of Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint

Professional Expertise/Competencies Preferred:

• Experience with USAID-Funded projects.

About the Organization

About Palladium:

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 3,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities. 

Palladium Americas:

Our Americas’ business team has brilliant and passionate colleagues working in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America as well as the Caribbean, fulfilling projects and assignments for clients from institutions, corporations, governments, and foundations based in the Americas. We have offices in Washington, DC, New York City, and Raleigh-Durham, NC.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.