Forecasting and Supply Planning Specialist -Labs Chemonics International Inc.

Employment opportunity

The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project seeks to fill the position of Forecasting and Supply Planning Specialist-Labs to support the GHSC-PSM project in Zambia.

The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project will be the primary vehicle through which USAID will procure and provide health commodities, provide technical assistance to improve partner countries’ management of the supply chain, and collaborate with key international stakeholders to support global health initiatives.

With 100+ staff across eight offices around the country, this diverse and complex program sets out to strengthen capacity of GRZ to develop sustainable systems that ensure availability and security of vital and essential health commodities through (1) increased data availability and use for informed supply chain decision making, (2) improved quantification procurement planning and coordination processes, (3) provision of cost-effective, reliable international and local procurement services, (4) improved efficiency in warehousing and distribution by Zambia Medicines and Medical Supply Agency ( ZAMMSA), and (5) increased strategic management and planning by Ministry of Health for improved commodity security. The project seeks to recruit (on a one-year contract renewable) for the following position of:

Position Title   : Forecasting and Supply Planning Specialist-Labs (1 Position)

Reporting   to   : Forecasting and Supply Planning Manager-Labs   

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Forecasting and Supply Planning Specialist will work with the Forecasting and Supply Planning Manager to meet project objective focused on strengthening forecasting and quantification which should be led by the GRZ, procurement planning and stock monitoring activities. The Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that commodities procured centrally for HIV RTK and Laboratory commodities are available, when and wherever they needed by checking on the consumption trends.

Specific Tasks

Technical Implementation

• Support team to meet project objective focused on strengthening GRZ-led forecasting and quantification, procurement planning and stock monitoring activities;
• Monitor and ensure availability of commodities that are procured centrally for HIV/AIDS national programs using the Quantification Analytics Tool (QAT); hold regular partner coordination meetings to ensure procurements and shipments are well-coordinated and stock-outs are prevented;
• Monitor various consumption patterns and take corrective steps in forecasting on a periodic basis;
• Prepare and ensure availability of quantification report for all commodities for approval by the Ministry of Health;
• Support the development of and implement capacity building interventions for GRZ and supply chain partners who coordinate to ensure a reliable supply of health commodities for Zambia;
• Design and roll out innovations to increase sustainability of forecasting, quantification and commodity monitoring activities;
• Provide senior management with monthly reporting on national supply levels and procurement plans to identify potential supply gaps early and develop responses to mitigate impact on service delivery;
• Submit quarterly supply plans to GHSC-PSM headquarters;
  Ensure all contract deliverables are met within areas of forecasting and quantification.

Management

• Supervise technical officers, including developing role and responsibilities; design and monitor professional development plan, and conduct annual performance appraisal with supervisee;
• Execute team annual work plans and budgets based on project resources available and intended annual and life of project targets set according to and USG priorities;
• Exhibit Chemonics values and build culture of “Living our Values” within the team;
• Verify that USAID regulations, Chemonics policies, and quality management best practices are enforced consistently;
• Carry out additional responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time in consultation with supervisor of records.

Minimum Education Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent required; Master’s or other advanced degree a plus;
• Minimum four (4) years of experience working in supply chain management and conducting forecasting and quantification activities;
• Thorough knowledge of USAID funding and its contractual and reporting requirements required; experience working on USAID-funded health programs strongly preferred;
• Strong leadership and motivational ability;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills;
• Written and spoken English proficiency.

Location of Assignment: Lusaka