Specialist - Medical Supplies Public Financial Management

Job Description

• Are you a specialist in pharmaceutical forecasting and procurement?
• Work closely with SAMES and the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Timor-Leste to conduct a rapid diagnostic review of current medical supplies forecasting, budgeting and procurement performance within Timor-Leste’s central medical store.
• Short term contract, up to 90 days commencing May/June 2023. Inputs based in Dili, Timor-Leste. Category D, Level 4 under DFATs ARF.

About the Program

The Australia Timor-Leste Partnership for Human Development (PHD) supports the Government of Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 and reflects Australia’s commitment to work in partnership with Timor-Leste to invest in improved wellbeing for Timor-Leste’s people. PHD aims to deliver lasting impact on the program goal: ‘People in Timor-Leste are healthier, better-educated and better able to contribute to Timor-Leste’s development.’ Through PHD, Australia supports the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) to deliver higher quality and inclusive services in primary healthcare, basic education and social protection.

PHD Health is a sub-program of PHD. The strategic intent of PHD Health is to strengthen the Timor-Leste’s Primary Health Care (PHC) system to deliver a high quality and equitable Essential Services Package (ESP) (including family planning, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and hygiene and sanitation).

About the Opportunity

The Specialist – Medical Supplies Public Financial Management will work under the leadership of Servico Autonomo de Medicamentos e Equipamentos de Saude (SAMES), the central medical store in Timor-Leste, and collaboratively with other key stakeholders to review the constraints to effective forecasting, budgeting and procurement within SAMES; to identify feasible and technically sound responses to these challenges and develop and support implementation of improvement processes within SAMES and the related Government agencies.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Conduct a rapid diagnostic review of current medical supplies forecasting, budgeting and procurement performance within SAMES – drawing on existing reviews including the 2021 WHO Review and other relevant reviews, key informants and observations.
• Identify possible solutions to identified weaknesses/gaps and collaboratively agree on a prioritized set of feasible and technically sound responses to the identified problems/gaps.
• Under SAMES leadership, work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop practical action plans to implement each of the agreed responses. These plans should include clear accountabilities, timelines and required support.
• Under SAMES leadership, where necessary provide direct technical assistance and facilitative support to SAMES and other stakeholders to implement the action plans; and as/if necessary, support SAMES to identify and mobilize additional technical support and/or resources to support implementation of the action plans. Key areas of likely technical assistance support include:

o Medical supply forecasting tools and techniques.

o Public sector budgeting processes.

o Medical supplies procurement approaches including pre-qualification, quality assurance, selection processes, value for money.

o Financial and logistical information systems.

o Donor medical supply financing, procurement and coordination approaches.

• Provide regular, succinct and action focused monitoring reports on progress of the action plans to SAMES leadership and other key stakeholders.

About You

We are seeking an individual who will bring:

• Advanced degree in Pharmacy, Financial Management or Procurement.
• Significant relevant public sector professional experience in senior policy or executive role in pharmaceutical forecasting and procurement, preferably in a low-middle income country.
• Demonstrated high level stakeholder engagement and strong interpersonal skills, with proven success engaging with government, development partners and other key stakeholders.
• Understanding and experience of working in primary healthcare system in developing country settings (focusing on Asia and Pacific).
• A combination of clinical training and health system experience would be highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills including the preparation of reports and analysis for government or key stakeholder audiences.
• Excellent written English.

Further Information & How to Apply

Please apply online via the link provided to the Abt Associates careers page.

Please attach a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.

For further information please email the PHD People & Culture team via people.culture@phd.tl. Please insert the job title in the email subject heading.

Closing Date: 19 April 2023 (AEST)

About the Organization

About Us

Abt Associates a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtassociates.com

Equity

Abt Associates values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, skills, and knowledge, so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

Safeguarding

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse, or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.