Strategic Adviser Essential Drugs i+solutions Washington D.C., United States

i+solutions is an independent international not-for-profit organization specializing in pharmaceutical supply chain management for low and middle income countries. We offer high quality integrated supply chain and consultancy services for HIV/AIDS-, Malaria-, T.B.-treatment and for Reproductive Health activities through Innovation, Information Technology, creativity and effective execution.

We help to meet the needs of countries and organizations by supporting them taking greater responsibility for their procurement, capacity building, and facilities and systems, to increase self-sufficiency in local pharmaceutical supply chain management. Our key areas of expertise include:

• Procurement & Supply Services
• Training & Consultancy Services
• Innovative Projects

i+solutions is a young and dynamic organization located in Woerden in the Netherlands with a office Washington DC. We employ about 40 persons and work with sub-contractors across the globe.

Our clients include International Organizations such as WHO, UNFPA, Ministries of Health and of Foreign Affairs, USAID, the Global Fund, UNITAID, NGO’s and private companies. We are the mayor pharmaceutical procurement partner in the US Government funded PEPFAR program and the Voluntary Pooled Procurement program (VPP) for the Global Fund, with a total yearly procurement volume over 200 million USD.

In view of a position opened in our office in Washington DC. we are looking for a:

Strategic Adviser Essential Drugs m/v (fulltime)

The Strategic Adviser Essential Drugs supports the Procurement Technical Manager in strategic business development, in use and oversight for procurement of essential medicines, either direct or through wholesale organizations at the project headquarters and in in-country offices.

The Strategic Adviser Essential Drugs will assist in developing the strategic process in designing, refining and updating of essential medicine sourcing, with an emphasis on in-country wholesale organizations. When and where required may develop or lead implementation support of in-country operations.

The Strategic Adviser Essential Drugs will concentrate in his activities on compliance with established procurement policies, standard operating procedures, U.S. Government regulations and WHO recommendations.

The Strategic Adviser Essential Drugs is involved in developing business strategies with essential medicine suppliers.

In addition to strategic design and implementation under the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS), the Strategic Adviser Essential Drugs may assist in the technical assistance provided to major SCMS clients related to in-country procurement system strengthening and performance improvement.

Key Responsibilities

- Recommend novel methods and scenario’s to increase access of essential medicines through use of international, regional and in country wholesale organizations/ existing pharmaceutical supply chains, including design, testing and implementation of new supply chain concepts.
- Provide assistance where needed to optimize supply chain logistics of essential medicines as related to in-country procurement.
- Review and evaluate revised or new supply chain concepts so that they are in line with USG policies and concepts.
- Where needed and possible recommend solutions developed for essential medicines for other product categories.
- Support the analyses and reporting on global trends in the supply chain on availability of essential medicines and recommend solutions to remove access barriers.
- Assist in the review of in-country vendors in close cooperation with the Quality Assurance department. When requested apply and maintain an in-country vendor selection and (pre) qualification process aimed at increasing the percentage of vendors of essential medicines passing the quality audits.
- Works with wholesalers, vendors, local and international and procurement agents to secure access to essential drugs.
- Assist in maintaining relationships with in-country vendors to secure and increase essential medicines product access, and contribute to the update of the SCMS e-catalog which may reflect additional essential medicines important to SCMS.
- Provide advice and recommendations on a quarterly updated essential medicine strategy document in line with the WHO model.
- Develop concepts, procedures, and forms for field programs suitable for use, when developing and implementing local supply solutions.
- Assists in the management of client requests related to support and technical assistance of supply chain systems assessments, improvement of local procurement systems as well as improvements and introduction of M&E for local procurement supply systems.
- Act as a subject matter expert for SCMS for essential medicines manufacturing.
- Represents SCMS in international forums and conferences as an expert for supply chain in the identified product categories when requested.
- Provides assistance to project staff at the Project Management Office (PMO) and in-country offices related to supply chain logistics of essential medicines.
- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

- Masters Degree in a related field.
- Proven track record in a major procurement for the public sector and a strong knowledge of the challenges involved in providing an effective supply chain and procurement service in the developing world.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical procurement and supply chain management, in particular in target countries.
- Knowledge of the USAID Acquisition Regulations and Federal Acquisition Regulations.
- Knowledge of the international pharmaceutical and medical supply market, with specific reference to the essential drug commodities required for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care.
- Knowledge of the pharmaceutical production of Essential Drugs, meeting the USG quality requirements.
- Experience in pharmaceutical production and full knowledge of pharmaceutical quality requirements (GMP, GDP, and GSP) as well as relevant international guidelines.
- Experience with design and use of questionnaires to (pre) qualify pharmaceutical distributors
- Strong interpersonal skills, preferably with experience building and managing new teams, and an ability to work across disciplines and in diverse locations internationally.
- Strong negotiation skills at a senior level with major international manufacturing companies.
- Experience in target countries.
- Fluency in English, French and preferably one more international (business) language.
- Executive-level computing skills in standard software systems, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
- Willingness to travel, as needed.

Conditions of Employment

The position is for a fulltime workweek (40 hours) based in Washington DC with regular traveling to the procurement office in The Netherlands. The contract will initially be for a period of one year, with the option for extension. We offer a dynamic and pleasant working environment, attractive salary and secondary benefits.

Reaction

Please send your CV and cover letter by Sunday 9th of September to: mlamy@iplussolutions.org, with subject: Strategic Adviser Essential Drugs, or mail to: i+solutions, Westdam 3b, 3441 GA Woerden, The Netherlands. For further information contact i+solutions at (+31)-348489630.