Consultant - Supply Chain at World Health Organization

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will provide comprehensive technical expertise to the Health Products donation programme and their Supply Chain Management (SCM) in order to expand access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care interventions of the Innovation and Disability Management (IDM) NTDs for all those in need to achieve the programme’s objectives in line with the Mission of the Organization. 

Background  

The Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases commits to offer the best possible guidance and support to Member States and the global NTD community, to progress towards the milestones and targets set by the road map 2030. It coordinates and supports policies and strategies to enhance global access to interventions for the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases (NTD), including some zoonotic diseases. 

The NTD department is committed to delivering on GPW13 Outcome 1.1 Improved access to quality essential health services, through Universal coverage against neglected tropical diseases which depends, to a large extent, on enhanced access to free essential medicines and on stronger, well-planned, financially sound and efficient health systems. The department aims to:

• Prioritize the public health needs of poor and marginalized populations and provide technical and strategic guidance in key areas.
• Coordinate the distribution of donated medicines.
• Promote WHO’s role in partnership involvement.
• Strengthen capacity at country-level.
• Leverage the contribution of stakeholders to the elimination and eradication of these diseases.  

The NTD department also delivers interventions through appropriate technology at sustainable cost and with the help of international partners, it supports Member States in the coordination and integration of national control programmes with sectors such as education, agriculture and veterinary public health. 
The Strategic Operation (STO) unit provides programme coordination and management support to the NTD Department plans in order to maximize the availability of, and equitable access to, essential quality-assured NTD-related health products (medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, pesticides) in all countries as needed in support of interventions and responses for control, elimination and eradication of NTDs. In addition, the Unit provides cross sectional support in areas of donor engagement, proposal development, coordination and management of Memoranda of understanding (MOUs), financial management and reporting. 

Deliverables

• Develop long-term forecasts on country demands for of IDM diseases NTD Health Products need to achieve NTD Roadmap 2030.
• Develop an integrated NTD Health Products request form for IDM diseases either as part of DHIS 2 platform or other data integration platforms.
• Collect, collate and analyse reports including NTD Health products distribution, stock position reports from suppliers and beneficiary countries.
• Contribute to the development, finalization and maintenance of MOU tracker database and dashboards.
• Facilitate onboarding of IDM NTD Health products information system in NTDeliver tool platform.
• Provide technical advice and contribute to coordinating the procurement and distribution of NTD Health Products, including related data collection, database development, analysis and reporting.
• Provide information and advice to national authorities on the distribution of NTD Health Products, staff training, reporting on NTD Health Products utilization, as well as on evaluation systems and instruments.
• Develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Supply Chain Management of IDM NTD Health Products Supply Chain Management.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the Supply Chain Management system on key performance indicators and reporting requirements as well as the mechanisms to optimize performance of programme deliverables.
• Adapt existing or develop and implement inventory/stock control management mechanisms; develop and apply monitoring tools, and reporting systems.
• Develop and maintain the monitoring system, general supply system, and the forecast process of NTD Health Products.
• Prepare technical reports on the supply chain management of NTD Health products to pharmaceutical donors.
• Conduct at least two regional level surge capacity building training on implementation of integrated NTD programmes, proper use of request and reporting tools to address challenges in managing the supply chain of NTD Health Products.

Above deliverables are expected during and by the end of the contract.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in public health or business administration, project management, supply chain and logistics management.

Desirable:

• Training in supply chain management and grant/financial management, project management. 

Experience

Essential:

• Over 5 years of relevant experience with proven international experience in project management, logistics operations and supply operations in international organizations/institutions.

Desirable:

• Experience in managing large scale health products donation and working with international pharmaceutical donors.
• Experience in data management, project management and working in international organizations.
• Experience working in or with developing countries.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Strong skills in project management, data management, logistics and supply chain services and procurement.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and multitask.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate with and convince officials with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual information.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, pharmaceutical donors and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals, rules, and regulations. 
• Familiarity with or some technical knowledge of NTD programmes, strategies, and epidemiology.