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Reproductive Health Commodity Security Specialist

Job Title: Reproductive Health Commodity Security Specialist

Job ID: 2364

Grade: ICS-11 (P-4)

Location: Mogadishu, UNFPA Somalia CO (Based in Nairobi until further notice)

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Rotation: This post is non-rotational

Closing Date (Midnight Geneva): 06/12/2013

Organizational Setting

Based in Nairobi till further notice, under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Resident Representative in Somalia and the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) Specialist will work closely with the RH, Gender and Humanitarian Teams in the UNFPA Country office and sub offices. S/he will also work closely with different Somali Ministry of Health Departments, Local Governments, NGOs and partners to enhance Reproductive Health Commodity security (RHCS) in Somalia.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

Advocacy, Partnership and Resource Mobilization

• Lead the advocacy efforts with partners and facilitate adoption of an integrated approach to RHSC in general and specifically to SRH that takes as its foundation the reliable and consistent availability of planned RH commodities. This integrated approach is complemented by a focus on issues of quality of care, improvements to the national environment as well as questions of access and demand.
• Collaborate with the country office staff members to promote integrated approaches to improving reproductive health, particularly in areas such as: (i) Condom programming under HIV/AIDS programme (ii) Improving access to contraceptives by unmarried young people; (iii) Repositioning family planning.
• Collaborate with other UN Agencies and development partners to promote and provide integrated technical support for RH/RHCS within countries (particularly with WHO, UNICEF, DFID, USAID, SIDA, AusAID) and to carry out and implement findings of joint assessment of critical maternal health drugs.
• Identify potential new donors and initiate the development of proposals to mobilize resources for the programme
- Initiate and lead the development of RHCS strategy for Somalia
- Advocate for sustained public private partnerships favourable for FP uptake in Somalia
- Support partners on advocacy and awareness raising strategy operationalization and implementation at different level addressing FP and other RH related survival strategies
- Ensure RHCS strategy is integrated in national/zonal RH/SRH, HIV/AIDS, Gender & Reproductive Rights strategies

Capacity development and Technical Support

• Provide technical support and advice to strengthen the national health system for an increased accessibility, demand creation and use of RH commodities to all individuals. This will entail a demonstrated ability to provide technical advice and information on how to increase contraceptive prevalence rate, condom usages, and effectiveness of national and zonal logistics systems.
• Build national capacity in contraceptive technology (especially long acting methods) and logistics planning and management (quantification and forecasting, identifying warehouses and setting-up/schedule transportations, identify suitable routings, communicate with MOH on stock availability, provide update accurate reports, etc.) 
• Technical leadership and support to partners and stakeholders in setting up an effective procurement and supply management for all health commodities in compliance with national standards and norms
• Provide support for an improved coordination, organization and management of the Logistic Management Information System (LMIS), with RHCS mainstreamed, of the public health facilities and ensure national ownership and readiness to take over this responsibility.
• Lead the roll-out of Channel software through capacity building, installation of adequate equipment, sustain monitoring and supporting supervision
• Assist national partners in analyzing and disseminating data on the movement and utilization of commodities;
- Ensure supplies of essential lifesaving medicines and devices/equipment and Family Planning commodities get to all centers and service delivery points services
- Provide technical assistance to ensure the effective functioning of the RHCS Committee and monitor the procurement of Reproductive Health Commodities to ensure uninterrupted flow of RHCS;
- Lead the improvement of the Contraceptive Commodity renovation, equipment, functioning) and support zonal warehouses.

Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination

• Contribute to the identification, analysis and synthesis of technical knowledge and evidence-based information in RHCS
• Coordinate the implementation of the annual GPRHCS survey
• Assist to organize and participate actively in meetings and desk reviews and undertake monitoring missions to assess progress of the strategic plan implementation, including appropriate substantive and administrative follow-up actions. 
• Oversee, monitor and analyze on a continuous basis, substantive programme implementation, including preparing substantive programme and financial reports on the national RHCS Strategic Plan.

Undertake any other assignments as may be given by UNFPA Representative.

Qualifications and Experience

Advanced university degree in pharmacy, procurement, logistics, supply chain management. Professional and logistics qualifications in procurement an asset. A course in logistics, essential drugs, and MIS is a plus.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 7 years of experience in increasing responsibilities at the national level in RHCS ideally, in logistics systems, public sector pharmaceutical supplies management of which 5 years should be in developing countries with direct experience relating to health and logistics systems and management of family planning programmes. Also experience in public sector pharmaceutical program management at national level, especially in policy & management, Selection, Access, Quality Assurance and Rational Drug Use is strongly desired.
• Extensive knowledge of supply management: forecasting, warehousing, distribution, transportation, logistics information systems and eLMIS.
• Senior-level procurement and supply management and advisory services covering the full procurement cycle and significant experience in logistics capacity building, covering the full procurement cycle,
• Health sector-specific experience, including: Experience with Public Health systems in developing countries, Health Commodity Supply Market, Logistics and inventory management related to pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, based on sound Supply Chain Management principles
• Experience working in fragile security contexts is a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Arabic or local languages, an asset.

Other Desirable Skills:

• Significant public procurement and supply management experience related to the Health Sector (pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical medical supplies), and other funding mechanisms emphasizing donor coordination/harmonization and in challenging situation.

Required Competencies

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Values/Guiding Principles;
• Performance Management;
• Developing People/Coaching and Mentoring & Fostering Innovation and Empowerment;
• Working in Teams;
• Self-Management/Emotional Intelligence and Communication;
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making;
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking and Results Orientation/Commitment to Excellence;
• Knowledge Sharing/Continuous Learning

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Job knowledge/technical expertise and Results based management
• Adaptation/application of knowledge in different contexts
• Integration in a multidisciplinary environment

UNFPA Work Environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. 

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the post. The package includes a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits. 

Closing Statement: No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulations 4.5

How to apply:

UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy.

Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment

Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process.

Disclaimer

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Notice to applicants: In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment. Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for: (a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently; (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship.