Locations: Addis Ababa
Organization: Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Job Description
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The SCS Activity’s Last Mile Distribution (LMD) Manager is responsible for leading the coordination of health commodity distribution in conflict-affected areas of Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and Benishangul Gumuz Regions. This includes ensuring seamless collaboration between EPSS hubs in Bahirdar, Dessie, Gondar, Assosa , Nekemte, Mekelle, Shire and AA#2, as well as other affected areas, third-party logistics (3PL) service providers, UN Agencies and the SCS office in Addis Ababa. This role is instrumental in supporting EPSS to efficiently process orders and develop optimized route plans. The LMD Manager provides strategic advisory support in overseeing the movement of commodities from EPSS hubs to health facilities and managing replenishments from the EPSS central warehouse to regional hubs.
Working closely with EPSS and logistics providers, s/he ensures the timely availability of vehicles and the efficient distribution of health commodities. Additionally, the LMD Manager facilitates the timely submission of necessary documentation and payments to selected 3PL providers, ensuring the smooth execution of last-mile distribution operations. In collaboration with SCS technical leads, the LMD Manager contributes to strengthening EPSS’s supply chain capacity for last-mile distribution, leading technical assistance efforts to enhance infrastructure, optimize systems and processes, and drive a strategic approach to LMD activities.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under supervision of the Supply Chain Management Lead and in close collaboration with technical teams in SCS Activity, the Last mile Distribution Manager is expected to carry out the following responsibilities:
- Provide technical support in the development of last-mile distribution (LMD) strategies, action plans, and capacity-building materials for EPSS and other stakeholders.
- Oversee the coordination and execution of health commodity distribution activities in conflict-affected areas, ensuring seamless collaboration between EPSS hubs, 3PL providers, and other relevant partners.
- Assist EPSS hubs in efficiently processing incoming orders by filtering out restricted products, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements and regulatory guidelines, and conducting timely review and approval of order lists to verify the absence of restricted products.
- Support EPSS in initiating and managing vehicle requests by developing optimized route plans, estimating commodity volumes, planning delivery destinations, and selecting appropriate vehicle types.
- Work closely with EPSS hubs, RHBs, and other partners to ensure the smooth functionality of LMD operations and adherence to supply chain best practices.
- Represent the project in relevant task forces, coordination forums, and technical working groups at various levels.
- Review and validate route plans, proactively addressing any logistical challenges in coordination with EPSS.
- Engage with 3PL providers to assess and validate their capabilities, coordinate to ensure vehicle availability, and verify that vehicles meet required specifications before deployment, while collaborating with EPSS to explore alternative transport options when necessary.
- Submit procurement action requests to MSH for the timely deployment of vehicles as per agreed route plans.
- Monitor EPSS order preparation and ensure that proper insurance coverage is secured before dispatch.
- Track and monitor distribution activities, ensuring deliveries align with approved routes and facility lists.
- Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and verify that the roles and responsibilities of RHBs, EPSS, 3PL service providers, and health facilities are executed appropriately.
- Validate proof of delivery (POD) documents against stock transfer vouchers (STVs) and confirm reports submitted by 3PL providers.
- Facilitate the timely processing of payments for 3PL providers, ensuring proper documentation and submission to MSH-HQs.
- Prepare weekly and monthly action plans for submission to the SCS Supply Chain Management Lead.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of LMD activities, best practices and regular report on progress, challenges, and mitigation plans to key stakeholders.
- Monitor stock levels at EPSS hubs and health facilities, collaborating with the Outbound Logistics Advisor to advise on LMD response strategies.
- Track the progress of LMD activities against established key performance indicators (KPIs) and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
- Assess EPSS staff training needs, providing onsite technical support and organizing/facilitating off-site training sessions as necessary.
- Collaborate with EPSS leadership at different levels to forecast resource needs, plan for timely provisions, and facilitate management approvals.
- Ensure compliance with USAID regulations, MSH policies, and quality management best practices.
- Uphold MSH’s values across his/her activities
- Support the continuous improvement of LMD operations by implementing innovative approaches and efficiency-driven solutions.
- Promote the institutionalization and sustainability of SCS-supported initiatives through staff engagement, capacity building, thorough documentation, and effective communication of achievements.
- Perform additional responsibilities assigned by the supervisor in alignment with the overall objectives of the role.
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 Last mile Distribution of pharmaceuticals, and other public health commodities in conflict affected areas.
A minimum of three (3) years of experience working on U.S. government or other donor-funded projects, or with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is preferred.
C) KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Deep 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 LMD operations in humanitarian settings.
- 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.
