The Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB), a leading Christian organization coordinating 302 Member Health facilities all over Uganda is implementing a five-year Local Service Delivery (HIV/AIDS) Activity supported by USAID to be implemented in three USAID regions of Uganda (Gulu, Mbarara, Jinja). The project will support private not-for-profit (PNFP) sites to address gaps through optimization of high yielding HIV Testing and Counseling Services approaches, improved retention and viral suppression, provision of HIV/TB care and treatment, scale up services to reach men and key populations, strengthen the PNFP institutional capacity and quality for sustainable service delivery and contribute to Uganda’s efforts in reaching and maintaining epidemic control.

UPMB is inviting applications for the following positions from suitably qualified individuals to work as part of a professional and self-driven team Please note that for upcountry positions you are requested to indicate the region of your interest.
JOB TITLE: Commodities/Supply Chain Specialist
REPORTING: Deputy Chief of Party
Duty Station: Kampala with frequent visits to the field .

Purpose
The position will provide technical oversight to ensure appropriate levels of health commodities and supplies are available at all LSDA supported PNFP facilities/sites. The Health Commodities Specialist will build the capacity of pharmaceutical and commodity management staff within LSDA supported Health facilities/sites to monitor the supply chain and address improvement processes. The staff will Provide TA in ensuring sites link to HIV and lab commodities and adequately manage their supply chain.

Duties:
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure appropriate levels of health commodities and supplies at the facilities/sites.
• Provide technical assistance to the development of drug supply management, including the recording and reporting of healthcare providers, providers’ supervisors, supply managers and pharmacists.
• Adopt integrated approaches to increase effective recording, reporting, logistics, supplies management, storage and waste management at all levels.
• Coordinate with relevant health commodity storage and distribution bodies to ensure that the procurement process for health commodities and supplies operates smoothly, and that all parties receive the necessary information in a timely manner.
• Support refinement and management of the procurement process conducted for health commodities, and support supervision of storage and distribution at facilities
• Build capacity to monitor the medicine stock and usage levels and prepare regular reports on the stock status and forecast usage scenarios for the entire project.
• Build capacity to prepare and submit medicine rationing reports if stock position is forecast to be insufficient for projected usage.
• Support pharmaceutical and commodity management staff at target service delivery facilities in the application of pharmaceutical standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effective ordering, storage, distribution, and use of pharmaceuticals and commodities in support of the supplies delivery program.
• Collaborate with staff at the regional project offices to ensure that a management information system is established according to adopted SOPs, and that the system of reporting functions properly.
• Analyze the existing supply chain data and identify, design and implement interventions to improve supply chain processes and procedures including the following areas:
– Transportation and distribution
– Warehouse management
– Inventory management
– Quantification
– Logistics management information systems
– Monitoring and evaluation
– Supply chain implications of product selection decisions
– Financing
– Resource mobilization and donor coordination
• Identify and analyze the constraints to improve health commodity availability in the policy, regulatory and health systems environment.
• Identify opportunities for supply chain innovation, including the introduction of best practices.
• Work collaboratively with project team and headquarters staff to assure proper commodities reporting and compliance.
• Other relevant tasks as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• Postgraduate degree in pharmacy, public health or relevant field First degree in Pharmacy ii. A minimum of five years of experience in commodities management on large donor-funded international projects.
• A working knowledge and prior experience with USAID awards.
• Demonstrated expertise in HIV commodities management.
• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with regional/district, representatives from pharmacies, and other supply chain stakeholders such as MoH, JMS, NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector.
• Fluency in English in both oral and written communication.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Excel and Navision.
• Ability to travel within the country.
• Willingness to support UPMB’s mission.