Senior Technical Advisor at Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

Job description

MSH seeks to recruit a highly-motivated and result-oriented Supply Chain Systems Strengthening Advisor for a five-year program (2016-2021), implemented in selected sub-counties in Baringo and Nakuru Counties. The purpose of the program is to enhance access to and utilization of quality family planning, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH ) services in the target areas.

The Supply Chain Systems Strengthening Advisor and overall lead of the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) team provides technical and programmatic leadership for the implementation of a package of HSS interventions (including human resources for health (HRH), supply chain strengthening, and quality improvement) to ensure county capacity development for sustainable scale-up and delivery of quality FP/RMNCAH services.

The HSS lead is responsible for planning, managing and coordinating HSS support to the target counties/sub-counties and serves as the project’s liaison with other implementing partners, donors and stakeholders supporting county health systems in Nakuru and Baringo Counties. S/he is specifically responsible for strengthening commodity management/supply chain systems and processes at county, sub-county and facility level to ensure accountability and uninterrupted access to quality assured FP/RMCAH commodities and other essential health products and technologies

• Health Systems Strengthening
  • Lead the Project’s HSS team in developing and implementing strategies to strengthen health systems in Baringo and Nakuru
  • In liaison with the County Departments of Health, lead the program’s interventions to strengthen management of health systems functions including human resources for health (HRH), supply chain, planning and budgeting and quality improvement
  • Manage coordination and collaboration with other implementing partners and donors supporting efforts to address health systems strengthening gaps
  • Monitor and provide routine reports on progress and results from the project’s implementation of HSS interventions
• Commodity Management/Supply Chain
  • Act as the project’s primary liaison in collaborative activities with the County Departments of Health, stakeholders and technical assistance partners to strengthen and build support for health commodity security interventions for FP/RMNCAH
  • In collaboration with the county health management teams, develop and implement programs to promote effective stewardship and technical leadership of supply chain management and commodity security initiatives
  • Act as the project’s principal technical expert and the lead for ensuring quantification and pipeline monitoring of FP/RMNCAH commodities and other essential health products and technologies by the sub-county and county health management teams
  • Oversee routine stock status monitoring, through production and dissemination of stock status reports, working closely with county departments of health and other national stakeholders
  • Design and implement appropriate tools and approaches for strengthening systems for management and accountability of FP/RMNCAH commodities within Baringo and Nakuru counties as well as monitoring performance of selected indicators
  • Plan, organize and conduct training courses covering supply chain and/or commodity management technical areas as required including collaboration with the other stakeholders to develop relevant training materials and in the implementation of capacity-building initiatives
  • Assist the county departments of health to develop and implement interventions that ensure improved product quality and patient safety initiatives with a focus on FP/RMNCAH commodities.
• Cross-cutting
  • Provide written quarterly and annual progress reports to the Afya Uzazi Program leadership on Health Systems Strengthening interventions. Prepare regular briefs/reports to the Ministry of Health, USAID, other collaborating partners and stakeholders as requested.
  • Participate and contribute to development of program budgets and workplans
  • Participate in relevant stakeholder fora to advance the interests of the project in health systems strengthening

The ideal candidate should have a background in health sciences with advanced degree in pharmacy, public health or supply chain management. S/he should have a minimum of 7 years progressive professional level experience in public health and program management; relevant experience in health commodity/supply chain management required including knowledge and good understanding of the supply chain management systems for health commodities in Kenya at national and county level.

Proven programmatic, technical, and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with professional colleagues from the Ministry of Health and other governmental organizations as well as implementing partners and donors. Experience in implementing public health programs including those supported by bilateral agencies such as USAID; understanding of US Government-funded programs essential.

In addition, s/he should have strong interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills, teamwork and partnering abilities, demonstrated excellent English language skills (both written and oral), demonstrated computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point.

The Candidate should be willing and available to relocate to Nakuru and travel extensively within Nakuru and Baringo counties as required

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Since its founding in 1971, MSH has worked in over 150 countries with policy makers, health professionals, and health care consumers to improve the quality, availability and affordability of health services. Working with governments, donors, non governmental organizations, the private sector, and health agencies, MSH responds to priority health problems such as HIV & AIDS; tuberculosis; malaria; maternal, newborn and child health; family planning and reproductive health; and chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and lung and heart disease. Through strengthening capacity, investing in health systems innovation, building the evidence base, and advocating for sound public health policy, MSH is committed to making a lasting difference in global health.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.

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