John Snow Inc. (JSI), a leading international public health management firm dedicated to providing high quality technical and managerial assistance to public health programs worldwide, seeks a Country Director (CD) to oversee several supply chain projects in Abuja, Nigeria. The main projects include: The Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) project, as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT that works to improve the availability of vital health commodities. Both projects coordinate with in-country and international partners to enhance their supply-chain capacity; ensure that accurate supply-chain information is collected, shared, and used; and provide quality, affordable, health care products to those who need them.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES The Country Director has overall responsibility for planning and coordination of all activities and personnel in her/his assigned country. S/He represents the projects to US Government agencies (primarily USAID, CDC and DoD) Ministries of Health and cooperating agencies. S/He promotes collaboration and best practices in the forecasting, procurement, storage, distribution, and information management of ARVs, related HIV/AIDS commodities, contraceptives and other health products. Responsibilities include the development of technical strategies and work plans and the organization and provision of in-country technical assistance, as well as ensuring that the field office follows standard SCMS, USAID | DELIVER PROJECT and host-company administrative and financial procedures and practices. S/He has first-line supervisory responsibility for the resident staff implementing activities in his/her assigned country and is responsible for maintaining effective communication with the SCMS Project Management Office (PMO), the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT home offie, the US Government Team, public, private, and FBO/NGO sector implementing programs, other USG cooperating agencies, other members of the donor community and Government of Nigeria counterparts.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Supply Chain Management and Support Working closely with the CPM and SPM, organize, staff and manage technical activities concerning provision of products for the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other vital health products, including product selection; forecasting and quantification of products; monitoring the fulfillment of orders by suppliers; tracking of shipments to client countries; expediting freight forwarding and customs clearance; storage and distribution of products in-country; and logistics management information systems. Arrange for and assist with assessments of supply chain programs in-country, to determine system strengths and weaknesses and identify technical assistance gaps that may be addressed by the projects. Working with the CPM and SPM, develop and implement a long-term strategy and an annual workplan and budget, in conjunction with the USG team, host-government Ministries of Health and other cooperating agencies. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Identify, support and use in-country capacity to achieve effectiveness and sustainability, identifying capacity gaps and arrange for appropriate training of field office staff Together with the CPM and SPM, identify, assess and pursue opportunities for supply chain and technical assistance activities in accordance with the targets set out in the USG County Operational Plan and USAID Operational Plans, seeking additional field support funding to support supply chain and techincal assistance and identify areas for technical anc capacity building activities. Together with the CPM and SPM, organize and manage activities related to the provision of short-term technical assistance (STTA or temporary duty, TDY)including development of scopes of work (SOW) for short-term technical assistance and obtain necessary approvals and, working with CPM/SPM, modify SOWs as required. Coordination and Information Sharing Coordinate technical work in the country with other supply chain projects, e.g. RPM Plus, other SCMS partners, other USG- supported cooperating agencies, especially Track 1 PEPFAR partners (Catholic Relief Services Consortium, Columbia University, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health) funded to work in the country and the USAID SO13 and SO14 bilateral project as well as support national efforts to coordinate activities between government and donors. Seek opportunities to collaborate with other donors including the Global Fund, World Bank, DFID and bilateral organizations. Actively seek opportunities to work with civil society organizations (NGOs, CBOs, etc.) at all levels. Work closely with the Affordable Medicines for Africa (AMFA) and MAP International who will coordinate SCMS activities with Faith Based Organizations. Manage communications with USG Teams, host country institutions, and others on specific topics related to the activities within the country of responsibility, informing stakeholders of services that the projects can provide in procurement and technical assistance, particularly innovations in commodity management and lessons learned in the broader SCMS and USAID | DELIVER PROJECT context. With the CPM and SPM develop client-centered methods of responding to needs of and requests from USG Teams and host country institutions. Ensure effective communications within the in-country team. Manage communications with SCMS technical and management staff in the PMO and USAID | DELIVER PROJECT home office staff. Other Management Activities Manage the operation of field office teams in country in adherence with policies and procedures established by JSI, and with policies and procedures established by the SCMS and USAID | DELIVER PROJECT project management offices. Develop and manage country program budgets, oversee finances and cash flow and ensure adequate availability of project funds to complete required project work, working with the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT and SCMS Project Management Office, USG funding sources and the financial administrators of JSI. Identify and recruit staff for the in-country field office, in consultation with the projects Human Resources Managers, CPM and SPM and JSI’s Human Resources policies and procedures. Set up and maintain performance management programs including the establishment of Key Performance Indicators in consultation with the SPM and the SCMS Human Resources Manager, manage, coach and develop in-country staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
Strong leadership, interpersonal and diplomatic skills gained from significant experience in coordination with donors, government and other cooperating agencies. Post graduate degree in pharmacy, public health, procurement, logistics, supply chain management or combination of equivalent education and work experience. Significant and proven experience in international public health with eight years or more at senior management level, preferably with experience related to HIV/AIDS, pharmaceutical management or health commodity logistics Experience with supply chain management in a developing country context preferred Excellent written and oral communications skills, including proven presentation and collaboration/marketing skills gained from intraction at the senior level in public and/or private sector Demonstrated ability to develop and manage complex team dynamics while self-managing of own time. Demonstrated intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with Microsoft Project a plus. English fluency required including speaking, writing, and reading at an advanced technical level This is a full-time position based in Arlington, VA. JSI offers excellent benefits.
Application procedure:
Interested applicants should submit cover letter and resume by post, fax or email to Recruiter, John Snow, Inc. 1616 North Fort Myer Drive, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209, fax 703-528-7480; email: . Please state salary requirement. Principals only. No phone calls please.
Please be sure to write “Country Director” in the subject line of your email.
Closing date for submission of resumes April 20, 2007.
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/H/V/D
