USAID/Uganda, through the GH-TAMS project, is seeking senior supply chain management candidates to serve as USAID/Uganda Supply Chain Team Lead, The assignment is for six-months, with location in-country (Kampala), starting approximately late-April with level of effort at 130 days.
The objective of the assignment is to exercise technical leadership and provide oversight in the coordination of interagency partners and processes to promote reform of Uganda’s public sector health commodities supply chain system and manage the USAID Supply Chain Unit to institute change to ensure technical and programmatic excellence. As well as to communicate issues and decisions related to the health supply chain to senior U.S. government and Government of Uganda leadership as well as colleagues within both government systems.
Background
Uganda’s Health Commodities and Supply Chain Landscape
According to Uganda’s 2015 National Medicine Policy and the National Pharmaceutical Sector Strategic Plan 2015-2020 (NPSSP), the Ugandan pharmaceutical sector includes both public and private actors. The private sector consists of both private not-for-profit (PNFP) and private for-profit (PFP) sites. The PFP actors are concentrated in urban centers and engaged mainly in the sale of pharmaceuticals. The Ministry of Health (MOH) sets policy and strategic direction while district governments engage in service delivery under Uganda’s decentralized health care delivery model. MOH through the Pharmacy Department (MoH/PD) is responsible for the overall coordination of the pharmaceutical sector, as well as for providing oversight of policy implementation. Moreover, MoH/PD is responsible for quantifying national requirements for pharmaceutical products and harmonization of the supply chain management system, as well as promoting rational use of pharmaceutical products.
While MoH/PD has overarching authorities, it is by no means the only supply chain actor. Other major partners include:
● The National Drug Authority (NDA), the national medicines regulatory agency, assures the quality of all medical commodities that enter the country and operates a drug quality control laboratory which has been prequalified by WHO since January 2015.
● The Health Monitoring Unit (HMU) was officially created in the Office of the President with independent authority and mandate to investigate misuse of healthcare resources, including medicine mismanagement, e.g., suspected commodity leakage and/or counterfeit substitutions.
● The National Medical Stores (NMS) and the Joint Medical Stores (JMS), two health supply chain systems financed through the Government of Uganda, together supply the full range of commodities needed to support health care service delivery in Uganda in the public and PNFP sectors.
- GOU manages the NMS which was established as a Statutory Corporation (i.e., parastatal) in 1993 by an Act of Parliament with the central responsibility for procuring, warehousing and distributing pharmaceutical products to all public health facilities.
- JMS, licensed by Uganda’s NDA to engage in import, export, wholesale of medicines and related health care supplies, is the leading and oldest private pharmaceutical store in Uganda engaged in procurement, warehousing and distribution of pharmaceutical products to 3,106 private health facilities.
● External development partners fund more than 70% of public expenditures on medicines and selected health commodities, and almost all funding for laboratory commodities. Direct public sector investments by several external development partners include: the Global Access for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI), the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), USAID, The Global Fund and The World Bank.
Overview of USAID/Uganda’s Supply Chain Assistance and Support
All Mission activities are organized under USAID/Uganda’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for 2016-2021, with the following overall goal: Uganda’s Systems Are Accelerating Inclusive Education, Health and Economic Outcomes. The strategy seeks to address the impact that Uganda’s increasing demographic dividend will have on the ability of the Ugandan government to meet its population’s social service and development needs over the next twenty-five years. In particular, the strategy focuses on the average Ugandan who, statistically speaking, is a fourteen year old girl living in a rural community. USAID’s future vision intends to address impediments to her benefiting from education, health and economic programs, thus paving the way for an overall environment of inclusive growth for all Ugandans.
USAID provides support to Uganda’s health sector through its Office of Health and HIV/AIDS (OHH), which is the largest technical team in the Mission with over 50 staff positions and an average annual budget of US$280M. The OHH is divided into five teams: Malaria/Emerging Pandemic Threats, HIV/AIDS, Family Health, Strategic Information, and Health Systems Strengthening. OHH manages a wide array of programs, many of which are integrated in design. Each element of the portfolio contributes to country-led health program approaches that focus on integration of services; leveraging host country and other donor investments; strengthening health systems; a focus on women and girls; improved evaluation and innovation to promote adapting and learning; and science and technology.
OHH implements its programs through the public sector, the private not for profit sector, and the private for profit sector. Significant and complex components of the OHH portfolio include:
● Recognizing the global HIV/AIDS pandemic as one of the greatest health challenges of our time, the USG announced PEPFAR in 2003. PEPFAR Uganda received approximately US$403M in FY 2021 to support a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs, including support for HIV commodity procurement, OVC, systems strengthening, and overall improvements in service delivery. Uganda also receives separate resources for Tuberculosis control ($5 million / year) and is managed by the HIV team.
● USAID/Uganda under the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) is managing the $35M per year malaria portfolio in close collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
● Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) activities support improved maternal and childhood nutrition, safer pregnancy and delivery, newborn care, vaccination coverage, improved well and sick-child capacity at health facilities, Oral Rehydration Salts and zinc, safe water, and improved availability and access to life-saving essential medicines and health supplies. Reproductive Health/Family Planning Programs (RH/FP) include activities to promote improved reproductive health through couple communication, health education, prevention of gender-based violence, fistula repair, improved family planning services, and by providing a supply of contraceptives to the public and the private sectors.
● Other initiatives through the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) include coordinating and contributing to USG epidemic preparedness activities for emerging pandemic threats including the COVID 19 pandemic. Uganda is also a priority country for the control and/or elimination of several “neglected” tropical diseases still endemic in Uganda.
As the largest international donor in the health sector in Uganda, and one of the largest donors of health commodities to the country, USAID has a major interest and role to play in ensuring efficient, accountable management of health commodity resources and improving the performance and sustainability of the country’s supply chain systems, and all of the above described OHH activities have important requirements for provisioning of health commodities. Having an adequate and continuous supply of quality health commodities for diagnostic, prevention and treatment services is critical to the success of U.S. Government (USG) health assistance to Uganda through PEPFAR, PMI, TB, maternal/child health, family planning and other USG programs operating in the health sector. OHH directly manages procurement of health commodities and supply chain technical assistance through USAID contractors including the Global Health Supply Chain-Procurement and Management Services (GHSC-PSM), and a bilateral supply chain technical assistance provided by the bilateral Uganda Health Supply Chain (UHSC) project.
HIV commodity security in Uganda is a continuing major concern due to systemic issues resulting from fragmented and uncoordinated national supply chain systems; flawed forecasting and quantification; and poor Government of Uganda (GOU) procurement practices. There remains long standing, inadequate funding for anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy (ART) in Uganda’s public sector (currently serving up to two thirds of all Ugandans on ART), challenges in ensuring adequate access to anti-malarial drugs and diagnostic test kits, and limited access to the full range of family planning methods. Commodity stock-outs continue to complicate the adoption of UNAIDS’ “Test and Start” policy and PEPFAR’s directive on Multi-Month Dispensing for those testing HIV-positive, provide regular treatment to TB patients, and the country’s ability to effectively address the high prevalence of malaria. Concerns of lack of transparency and visibility across data systems and the inability to track distribution down to the facility level have hobbled the public supply chain entity National Medical Stores (NMS).
As a global supply chain leader with experience in supply chain information systems, including the development and implementation of electronic Logistic Management Information Systems (eLMIS), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools in several countries, USAID/Uganda has taken the lead in the development of the ERP in NMS. OHH is currently working closely with NMS to implement a comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to provide an integrated modular information platform for the national supply chain system in procurement; inventory management; warehouse management; customer sales; customer account management; distribution management; product costing; human resource management; performance management and reporting; and financial management system (accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets, and budget management). With migration of the existing District Health Information Software (DHIS2) into the ERP system, Uganda will finally establish a comprehensive electronic logistics management system (eLMIS). ERP design and installation will additionally employ best practices of System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology, thus helping to mitigate design/development risk; ensuring country ownership; and serving as a cornerstone in strengthening the strategic organizational vision and functionality of NMS and the overall national supply chain system.
Role and Responsibilities
1. Team leader for the USAID Supply Chain Unit (40%)
● Provides team oversight, and oversees the day to day operations of the USAID/Uganda supply chain unit. The incumbent shall provide supervision to six team members, including mentorship and coaching to the entire supply chain unit and the larger OHH team on supply chain related issues.
● Facilitates communication and ensures collaborative working relationships with high-level decision makers, internally within the USAID/Uganda mission and externally with senior level staff in the Ministry of Health, the National Medical Stores, and other Government of Uganda entities; Regional Health Bureaus; USAID/Washington the U.S. government interagency; and other donors and non-governmental organizations working in the health sector.
● Serve as the person responsible for communicating on key supply chain issues within USAID, the interagency and the host country as USAID takes on full leadership of the supply chain.
2. Technical Guidance, Leadership, Interagency Coordination and Representation to Host Country (40%)
● The incumbent serves as principal advisor to the Deputy Chief of Mission, PEPFAR Coordinator, Mission Director, Deputy Mission Director, and OHH leadership on all issues related to health commodities and supply chain including GOU policy, USAID commodity procurement and supply chain systems strengthening assistance to the public and private sectors. S/he will monitor the political environment and other donor activities to inform USAID/Uganda’s funding and programmatic decisions. The incumbent shall represent USAID/Uganda and its health commodities and supply chain activities in technical and coordination meetings with the GOU, other donors and non-government and private sector organizations on health commodities and supply chain issues. Proactively facilitate a collaborative approach with the MOH and development partners to define the technical, policy and program agenda as it relates to health commodities and supply chain requirements. Provide technical guidance as appropriate on the planning and mobilization of resources for commodities and local SC capacity building.
● The incumbent will provide oversight for data analytics within the USAID and interagency supply chain teams and ensure analyses from different sources including MoH, IP data and various quantitative data sources are accurate, complete, comprehensive and in a presentable format to inform various stakeholders.
● The incumbent shall provide technical advice and guidance regarding health commodities and supply chain requirements to the MOH, other donor partners and USAID/USG IPs in order to optimize financing, forecasting, procurement, quality assurance, warehousing and distribution, information management systems, monitoring, evaluation and reporting at the national and facility level.
● The incumbent shall provide technical contributions to USG thematic groups, program designs, budget allocations, strategic planning documents and reporting mechanisms. Thematic groups include: interagency working groups including PEPFAR and PMI as applicable.
● Reporting mechanisms include: U.S. Congressional, GOU or donor group requests; technical briefings; trip reports; site visit briefing documents; speeches; portfolio reviews; quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports; quarterly financial reports; quality assessments; site monitoring reports.
● Keeping informed of national and international initiatives, policies and state-of-the-art developments related to health commodities and supply chain; share information as appropriate with various counterparts.
● Providing strategic leadership to USAID/Uganda in identifying and applying innovative approaches and best practices to supply chain management goals with a focus on priority setting within a highly political environment.
The Acting Supply Chain Unit Lead is the USAID focal point for coordination with various entities of the GOU, other donor agencies, the private sector and civil society on matters relating to health commodities and supply chain. S/he works to ensure technical and programmatic synergy within USAID/Uganda, USG interagency health commodities and supply chain activities, and those of GOU and other development partners and stakeholders. S/he develops strategic partnerships with other donors on coordinated approaches to complex supply chain systems strengthening programs aimed to improve the functioning of the public and private health sector in Uganda, many of which include elements of health commodities and supply chain. Specific duties include:
● Representing USAID on all matters of health commodities and supply chain issues with senior level GOU officials and among senior donor community representatives. Regular fora include: the MOH Medicines Procurement and Management TWG and Commodity Security Group, HDPs and AIDS Development Partners and the inter-ministerial technical working group for the IL. Regular partners include: USAID IPs, the MOH Pharmacy Division, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Local Government, Office of the Prime Minister, NMS, JMS, NDA, Global Fund and others as applicable.
● Providing USAID leadership in fostering strategic partnerships and coordinating commodity procurement and other donor agencies in order to achieve an effective donor response to health commodity and system strengthening requirements across various public and private health programs. These partnerships have the potential to leverage millions of US Dollars for health systems and health commodities and supply chain programs in Uganda for greater impact on health outcomes. This requires close collaboration with representatives of Global Fund, DFID, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, GAVI and World Bank as they provide essential support to malaria, family health, HIV/AIDS and HSS activities. Other contacts for close collaboration include appropriate non-governmental entities such as the Clinton Foundation. S/he will also monitor the political environment and other donor activities to inform USAID/Uganda’s funding and programmatic decisions.
● Serving as member of the USAID HSS team, PMI Team, and PEPFAR Uganda HSS and health commodities and supply chain technical working groups and other relevant forums in planning and improving the USAID and USG portfolio on health systems strengthening related projects and activities in the public and private health sector of Uganda.
● Providing leadership in developing relationships with the private sector in Uganda to strengthen their supply chain management capacity, performance and sustainability.
Program Management (15%)
The Acting Supply Chain Unit Lead is responsible for managing a complex portfolio of health commodities and supply chain including the direct management of several programs and serving as principal advisor on numerous others. Health commodity availability and access are linchpins to the success of nearly every USG-funded activity in the health sector. This includes planning, implementation, management, monitoring, results reporting, advocacy and performance improvement of USAID’s health commodities and supply chain activities, coordinating these activities as needed with other USAID/USG implementing health programs. Specific duties include:
● Coordinating with the USAID procurement team and the Health Office on health commodities project management to guide and oversee USAID procurement and distribution of medicines and health supplies annually via the various USAID commodity procurement mechanisms. This includes the forecasting, quantification, procurement and distribution of USAID commodities including contraceptives, condoms, antiretroviral medicines, male circumcision kits, devices and supplies, HIV test kits, HIV laboratory reagents and supplies, anti-malaria medicines and rapid diagnostic tests, bed-nets, and other medical/laboratory equipment as required for the implementation of the health programs. All procurement activities are implemented in compliance with relevant USAID, USG, PEPFAR and PMI guidelines, policies, regulations and procedures.
● Providing significant technical assistance on health commodities and supply chain activities across the Mission, to address requirements under PEPFAR, PMI, family planning and other health programs. Ensure that all program activities are implemented in compliance with relevant USG, USAID, PEPFAR, PMI and family planning guidelines, policies, regulations and procedures.
● Participating in program design and technical review committees for new and/or follow-on supply chain management and other related awards.
Other Priorities (5%)
The Acting Supply Chain Unit Lead is responsible for the following Mission priorities; including:
● Preparing ad hoc reports as required for USAID/Uganda, USAID/Washington, the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, donor coordination groups, and others. These reports include U.S. Congressional, GOU or donor group requests; technical briefings; trip reports; site visit briefing documents; and speeches.
● Contributing to development of all mission reports, including PEPFAR Country Operational Plans, PMI and Family Health Team reports/plans; portfolio reviews; semi-annual and annual reports; quarterly financial reports; quality assessments; site monitoring reports.
● Keeping informed of national and international initiatives and policies and state-of-the-art developments related to the provision of commodities and supplies for HIV/AIDS and health programs, share information as appropriate with various counterparts.
Qualifications
EDUCATION
· Master’s degree in public health, business administration, procurement, supply chain management, or a closely related degree.
PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE
· A minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience working in the health, logistics or supply chain management field. Experience in developing country settings is preferred.
· Five years of this experience should be in a managerial and/or operational position related to supply chain management, health commodity procurement, local capacity building, electronic logistics management information systems and the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health commodities and supply chain programs.
· Expertise in evaluating/assessing systems related to health commodity forecasting and procurement, supply chains and logistics, and electronic logistics management information preferable.
· Experience in planning and programming with host country organizations, country governments and international donors. The task requires a positive and proactive attitude. Leadership and diplomacy skills are critical, as the position entails working with technical and senior officials in the MOH, other national institutions, USAID IPs, other HDPs, the private sector and civil society to foster GOU leadership on issues related to commodity supply chain.
KNOWLEDGE
· Knowledge of global procurement and supply chain strengthening technical assistance programs.
· Significant knowledge of program management and monitoring and evaluation methods.
· Experience working on PEPFAR will be an added advantage. Experience working in low resource setting is highly desirable.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
· Demonstrated strategic thinking, decision-making and problem solving skills, as well as the ability to effectively manage stress and conflict.
· Excellent communication skills with proven capacity to effectively present supply chain information and analytical data to various stakeholders.
· Demonstrated ability to work effectively with mid- and senior-level public and civil society officials from host country, other development partners and the private sector.
· Demonstrated ability to work and provide leadership in a team environment, coordinate well with others, and provide leadership in the areas of his/her competencies.
· Must be able to develop effective and collaborative managerial relationships with implementing partners and staff members.
· Diplomacy, tact, negotiation skills, cultural sensitivity, and team participation skills are required in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships within USAID and with the public and private sectors.
· Strong organizational skills and ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and work in a team with diverse cultural backgrounds.
· Fluency in spoken and written English.
The Global Health Technical Assistance and Mission Support Project (GH-TAMS) is a five-year USAID-funded activity providing the Bureau for Global Health (GH) and USAID field missions with high quality technical expertise to achieve the Agency's foreign assistance global health mission. With start-up in the fall of 2019, GH-TAMS follows the success of the Global Health Program Cycle Improvement Project (GH Pro).
GH-TAMS technical assistance covers a broad range of technical areas and cross-cutting issues such as HIV/AIDS. family planning, MNCH, infectious disease, TB, health finance, reproductive health, organizational development, OVC, project design, facilitation, M&E and strategic planning.
Project assignments are located in Washington D.C. and worldwide in Africa, Asia and elsewhere. Assignments typically range from two weeks to six months in duration.
