Job Description

Demand Planning Advisor, Lab

Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Position Category: Local hire, paid in country

Posting Date: 01/23/2025

Deadline Date: 01/31/2025

Starting Date: 01/23/2025

Salary: Commensurate with experience and location.

Description

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The purpose of the USAID NextGen Ugavi Bora, Afya Bora activity is to strengthen Tanzania’s public health supply chain and pharmaceutical services to ensure sustainable access to and appropriate use of safe, effective, quality-assured, affordable health commodities. USAID NextGen Ugavi Bora, Afya Bora activity must work to develop the capacity of local systems, institutions, and individuals to sustainably manage supply chains, for both USAID-procured health commodities and those procured through national/local systems, and to strengthen local pharmaceutical management systems, including quality pharmaceutical services and national regulatory systems.


Job Summary
Demand Planning Advisor (Lab) is expected to provide technical assistance to the HIV Pharmaceutical and Laboratory Services Unit under the National AIDS and Hepatitis Control Program (NASHCoP) as well as working closely with Assistant Director Diagnostics Services (ADDS) and Head of Laboratory Services (HLS) to ensure that HIV/AIDS commodities needs are accurately planned, forecasted, procured, stored, distributed and managed according to set standard, procedures and regulations. In addition, the advisor will be required to provide updated information and data on commodities status, risks and data quality issues and advice on appropriate corrective measures as may be needed. S/He will work to collaborate with key stakeholders including TMDA, Medical Stores Department (MSD), PEPFAR, Global Fund, Pharmaceutical Supplies Unit, other sections within the NASHCoP and other MOH programs, as may be needed, to attain the best HIV/AIDS commodities availability and accessibility in the country.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
  • Develop interventions/solutions for addressing Laboratory supply chain and pharmaceutical services bottlenecks such as using trends and peer-to-peer benchmarking to improve accountability.
  • Support the development and execution of effective management of HIV/AIDS laboratory commodity changes and demand management strategies, procurement plans, storage, distribution and monitoring of activities gearing to improving availability of HIV/AIDS laboratory commodities.
  • Provide technical expertise in annual HIV/AIDS laboratory quantification exercises and ensure quantification reports are written timely.
  • Participate in quarterly review of supply plans and generate updated supply plans for laboratory commodities, and provide coaching to GoT counterparts in supply planning.
  • Update and monitor pipeline databases to ensure optimal laboratory supply of commodities.
  • Prepare and submit monthly and quarterly supply chain performance reports to the program, and facilitate its distribution to relevant stakeholders such as PEPFAR and Global Fund
  • Monitor HIV/AIDS laboratory commodities shelf life, prepare and follow through with action plans to avoid expiry of products in storage facilities
  • Liaise with GHSC - PSM and Global Fund to facilitate better commodities supply plans, and importation protocols in accordance to importations requirements.
  • Respond to laboratory supply chain queries from PSA, PEPFAR, and USAID | Tanzania regarding USG funded shipments, ensuring productive collaboration between NASHCoP and PSA.
  • Work with MSD and TMDA in ensuring that laboratory reagents and consumables and other related supplies are reported in accordance with the guidelines
  • Review HIV/AIDS laboratory shipment updates from PSA and Global Fund and provide guidance for responsible actors to take action where needed
  • Build capacity within the NASHCoP on order management processes such as placing orders with the PSA.
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders including MSD, PEPFAR, Global Fund, Pharmaceutical Supplies Unit, TMDA MOH programs, and Implementing Partners as may be needed, to attain the best laboratory HIV/AIDS commodities availability and accessibility in the country and provide timely feedback as may be required.
  • Coordinate key stakeholders which may include but not limited to MSD, PSU, TMDA, MOH-Diagnostic Unit, NASHCoP-PLSU, and other USG Implementing Partners to address supply chain and pharmaceutical management issues including funding mobilization for HIV/AIDS laboratory commodities and leveraging of supply chain and pharmaceutical services resources.
  • Contribute to the development of supply chain and pharmaceutical services research questions to help identify determinants of product availability and patient safety.
  • Support the preparations of annual work-plans and budgets and ensure smooth implementation of all activities.
  • Contribute to the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting, including development of project success stories.
  • Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

  • An advanced degree or a Master’s Degree in Public Health, Laboratory Science or other relevant area
  • Experience in working with USAID funded projects.
  • Previous experience in HIV and laboratory commodity management and supply chain data analysis.
  • Knowledge in health supply chains in Tanzania.
  • Knowledge on Tanzania Logistics Management Systems such the eLMIS, quantification tools (such as ForLab, Quantimed and Pipeline® is an added advantage).
  • Ability to use infographic-style data visualization methods for senior-level management.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Swahili
  • Excellent technical writing and oral presentation skills highly desired

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online by 01/31/2025.


No phone calls please.
Principals only please.



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