Pharmaceutical Logistics Coordinator - Plan International

Job title: Pharmaceutical Logistics Coordinator

Plan International
Founded 75 years ago, Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children's development organizations in the world. We work in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan's vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people's rights and dignity. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.
Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively. NU-HITES (Northern Uganda Health Integration to Improve Services) is a USAID funded project in northern Uganda to improve access to / regular use of basic health services and requires intensive monitoring and evaluation at many levels with many stakeholders.

Employment type: Full time
Country: Uganda
City / Location: Gulu,
Job category: Logistics
Minimum degree: Bachelors degree
Closing date: May 17, 2013 - 5pm
This position reports to the Sub-regional Project Coordinator and the successful candidate will be a member of the Sub-Regional Team. The incumbent will provide technical support towards achieving improved availability of essential medicines and other health commodities in population in Northern Uganda. It is a full-time position based in the sub-regional offices of Gulu for a five-year term, with frequent travel to districts in the Northern Region of Uganda.
Dimensions of Role:
The Logistics Coordinator for the NU-HITES program reports to the Sub-Regional Project Coordinator. She/ He works closely with other project staff and the logistics teams of in the districts, Medical Stores and Ministry of Health to provide continued technical assistance in ensuring efficiency in management of pharmaceutical commodities. This technical assistance is especially aimed at maintaining the current logistics management information systems and reporting requirements, data quality and completeness and supply chain effectiveness for the NU-HITES program and the general health programs in the district. The Logistics Coordinator will also work closely with the Supply Chain Specialist at the central project and the M&E team to transition the district logistics management information into integrated National pharmaceutical management and LMIS systems when they are developed.
Key End Results and typical Responsibilities:
1. Provide support to District health offices in pharmaceutical management to ensure effective and efficient quantification, forecasts and management of health commodities.
2. Provide technical assistance to district logistics teams to ensure that vertical programs’ commodity pipelines are analyzed and monitored at all levels of the supply system.
3. Build capacity of pharmacy staff and data managers in health facilities and at district health offices to accurately enter data.
4. In collaboration with other USAID partners, build capacity of district and health facility logistics teams to effectively monitor stocks and accurate and timely reporting for commodity utilization.
5. Conduct periodic quality audits for logistics teams and data managers at health facilities and district health offices to ensure that there is, standardization, timeliness, completeness and accuracy for data entry and order generation follows recommended criteria for ARVs, TB drugs, Malaria drugs, Laboratory supplies and Reproductive Health commodities.
6. Provide Technical assistance to district health offices and health facilities in item selection, management of regimen switch systems, preparation, program pipeline monitoring and monitoring of the Supply Chain Management plans.
7. Work with the Supply Chain Specialist and the M&E teams to transition the vertical supply and reporting systems into integrated National pharmaceutical management and LMIS systems.
8. Prepare periodical performance reports as required by the program and the Ministry of Health and support the NU-HITES M&E component
9. Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time as need arises.
Communications and Working Relationships:
• NU-HITES Sub-Regional Coordinator, who will provide direct line management to the incumbent
• NU-HITES Supply Chain Advisor: Technical support in planning, implementation and monitoring of the supply chain activities
• District Logistics Teams: Planning, implementation and monitoring of Supply Chain Management plans.
Qualifications /Skills/Experience:
• A degree in pharmacy. Post-graduate training in Health Systems Management, public health or M&E is an added advantage.
• Hands-on experience in providing pharmaceutical management technical assistance especially in the area of supply chain management, quantification and procurement.
• Work experience with medicines logistics management information systems
• Working experience in Uganda with knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the Uganda public health system. Previous experience with USAID supported programs is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other stakeholders in developing creative and strategic solutions to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrated strong organizational, administrative, communications and reporting skills.
• Strong teamwork and team-building skills.
Contact/How to apply:
People Performance Group
Plot 8 Kitante Close, Kitante
P.O. Box 12405, Kampala
Uganda
E-mail:application@ppg.co.ug