Locations: Addis Ababa
Organization: Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Job Description
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The SCS Activity Inbound Logistics Advisor is responsible for overseeing the coordination of procurement, contract management, and timely receipt of health commodities procured by U.S. Government (USG), other donors, and EPSS, with a special focus on HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, and MNCH commodities. This role ensures the effective and efficient use of resources by managing inbound logistics operations, including supplier coordination, shipment tracking, customs clearance, and warehousing receipt processes.
Additionally, the Advisor supports EPSS in ensuring a seamless and timely supply of health program commodities by strengthening inbound logistics planning and execution and also oversee the outbound logistics operation for overall strategic level support to EPSS’s leadership. In collaboration with SCS technical leads, s/he contributes to enhancing EPSS supply chain capacity and capability, leading technical assistance efforts to improve infrastructure, systems, processes, and human resources, ultimately driving the transformation of procurement and inbound supply management throughout the project’s duration.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under supervision of the Supply Chain Management Lead and in close collaboration with technical teams in SCS Activity, the inbound Advisor is expected to carry out the following responsibilities:
- Provide strategic level support in the development of inbound logistics strategies, projects and action plans in the areas of procurement planning, supplier management, shipment tracking, and customs clearance for EPSS.
- Assist EPSS in tracking incoming shipments, coordinating with suppliers and freight forwarders to ensure timely deliveries of health commodities.
- Monitor and analyze inbound supply data to identify procurement trends, assess lead times, and detect potential bottlenecks, providing EPSS leadership with actionable insights to enhance decision-making and improve procurement data visibility and accuracy.
- Support EPSS in conducting periodic inbound shipment audits, verifying quantities received, and ensuring compliance with procurement contracts.
- Strengthen coordination between procurement, warehousing, and distribution teams to streamline inbound logistics operations and minimize delays.
- Oversee the receipt, inspection, and documentation of health commodities at EPSS warehouses, ensuring adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- Investigate reported shipment discrepancies, stock imbalances, or delays, implementing immediate corrective actions to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
- Work closely with custom clearance team of SCS and assist in improving customs clearance processes by working with regulatory authorities to enhance efficiency and compliance.
- Support EPSS in developing and implementing best practices for supplier performance management, ensuring timely fulfillment of procurement contracts.
- Provide technical guidance on inbound logistics operations, supporting the implementation of relevant modules within the EPSS ERP system.
- Actively participate in supply chain review meetings, procurement planning sessions, and relevant technical working groups (TWGs) at different levels.
- Compile and share pipeline information on a regular basis for decision-making, including supply plan revision.
- Support the quantification and supply planning of priority health products in support of MOH and EPSS
- Provide strategic support to EPSS leadership on initiatives such as procurement maturity, supply chain costing and multi-vendor system aimed at improving supply chain efficiency and effectiveness.
- Prepare and submit weekly and monthly action plans and progress reports to the SCS supply chain management lead.
- Document and report SCS project achievements, including writing success stories and activity summaries.
- Ensure compliance with established procurement and inbound logistics policies and procedures.,
- Perform any additional duties assigned by the EPSS leadership or SCS supply chain management lead.
- Promote the institutionalization and sustainability of SCS-supported initiatives through staff engagement, capacity building, thorough documentation, and effective communication of achievements.
QUALIFICATIONS
A)EDUCATION/TRAINING – Advanced degree in Pharmacy, Supply Chain Management Public Health or a closely related field; or a commensurate combination of education and professional experience.
B) EXPERIENCE – Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in pharmaceutical supply chain management, with at least three (3) years of specialized experience in outbound (warehousing, inventory management and distribution) supply chain management of pharmaceuticals, and other public health commodities.
A minimum of three (3) years of experience working on U.S. government, other donor-funded projects, or with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is preferred.
C) KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Basic understanding of the operational and programmatic aspects of major public health programs, such as HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, and MNCH, including their specific commodity requirements in Ethiopia.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the Ethiopian pharmaceutical supply chain sector and related regulations.
- Proven experience in strategic level support to the public sector supply chain system in outbound operations.
- Demonstrated ability to work with other implementing partners in implementing complex programs.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
- Hands-on Skill in using ERP system, data generation, data analysis and report writing
- Strong organizational abilities and proven capacity to collaborate effectively within a team-oriented environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and effective communication abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to identify and resolve operational challenges.
- Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to prioritize and manage a wide range of tasks and activities.
- In-depth knowledge of the Ethiopian public health sector and prior work experience in Ethiopia is highly preferred. Especially, the ability to analyze and interpret public health policies related to SCM is preferred.
- Strong leadership, mentoring, management, planning, analytical and organizational skills. These will be demonstrated in the ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail.
- Working independently within expressed parameters, regularly scheduled tasks and adherence to strict deadlines is essential.
- Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in a complex and fast paced environment.
- Familiarity with SCS Activity, USAID, MOH and EPSS systems is a significant advantage.
- Willingness and ability to travel within Ethiopia as required.
D) CORE JOB COMPETENCIES:
- Results seeker – Proactive, meets deadlines, identifies actions, and achieves goals.
- Innovator – thinks creatively, anticipates changes, and produces solutions.
- Adaptor – stays calm under pressure and handles constructive criticism well.
- Complier – follows procedures and encourages others to do as well.
MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status.
