Reproductive Health Commodity Logistics Officer at UNFPA

The Position:

The Reproductive Health Commodity Logistics Officer (RHCLO) will provide leadership on working with in-country partners to conduct forecasting, supply planning, procurement, shipment tracking, customs clearance, management and distribution to the last mile of UNFPA procured Reproductive Health (RH) commodities.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:

The Reproductive Health Commodity Logistics Officer ensures the effective management of UNFPA supported Reproductive Health Commodity Security related matters from forecasting and supply planning through to procurement, inventory tracking, reporting, customs clearance, storage and distribution to the last mile. Under the overall guidance of the Country Representative and direct supervision of the Sexual Reproductive Health Specialist, and in collaboration with the Deputy Representative, staff and other stakeholders, the RHCLO will be responsible for the following:

Programme support

• Participate in the forecasting and quantification of national commodity needs as organized by the Ministry of Health
• Prepare and submit clear and well-defined commodity procurement plans of the Country Office through the online procurement planning tool on a timely basis
• Monitor the implementation of commodity procurement and supply plan in collaboration with relevant programme staff
• Provide oversight and support towards customs clearance of imported commodities by effectively liaising with the appointed Clearing Agents, obtaining import permits, facilitating product registrations and arranging waivers as the case may be.
• Monitor shipments using a shipment tracker and regularly reporting on the status of shipment to management
• Maintain effective and constructive communication with the UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) focal points for procurement, demand and supply planning and last mile assurance on a continuous basis in order to take proactive actions on logistics related matters

Operations management 

• Liaise with local clearing agencies to ensure timely clearance and delivery of commodities to the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) and other Implementing Partners
• Provide the necessary support to recipients of UNFPA procured supplies to ensure readiness for delivery
• Complete and submit all necessary receipt documentation for uploading onto the shipment tracker
• Organize cold chain requirements, storage space and transportation where applicable
• Create mechanisms for effective tracking and management of UNFPA procured commodities including the commodity tracking
• Maintain continuous and accurate/updated flow of information on procurement and supplies between UNFPA headquarters and Country Office
• Support preparations for regular audits, spot-checks related to Reproductive Health Commodity security and supply chain management

Inventory Management

• In collaboration with other partners, ensure appropriate warehousing of all supplies at all levels and provide updates on the status
• In collaboration with other partners, ensure accurate inventory of RH commodities, including up to date record keeping
• In collaboration with other partners, ensure the monitoring of all RH commodities procured locally and internationally, including dignity kits and medical equipment
• Manage the adhoc distribution arrangements for specific programmes and advise on warehousing conditions for contraceptives, equipment and supplies to ensure optimal storage conditions

Administrative Support

• Ensure that all financial transactions with regards to customs clearance, storage and transportation costs are processed in an accurate and timely manner
• Manage the UNFPA Last Mile Assurance Requirements and liaise with the SCMU to ensure timely updates on the required processes
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Education:  

An advanced University Degree in Pharmacy, Supply Chain, Public Health or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national level, in public sector supply chain management and systems strengthening functions including setting up and managing forecasting and supply planning, procurement, customs clearance, warehousing, distribution and storage systems, and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• At least 3 years of experience in managing reproductive and maternal health commodities and services
• Experience in working in humanitarian settings is an added advantage.  

Languages: 

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Exemplifying integrity,

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,

Embracing cultural diversity,

Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer: 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm