Consultants - Logistician Kiribati
Support logistics and supply chain of essential medicines in Kiribati.
Overview
Support logistics and supply chain of essential medicines in Kiribati.
You have:
- University degree in pharmacy, supply chain management or related sciences from an accredited/recognized institute.
- At least seven years of relevant experience in supply chain and logistics of essential medicines, especially in low and middle income countries.
- Excellent technical knowledge in the field of medical products with focus on supply and logistics of essential medicines.
- Written and spoken fluency in English is essential; knowledge of local language is an asset.
- Experience and skills in providing in-country technical support and building national capacity warranted.
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..1. Purpose of the consultancy
This Short term consultancy (STC) aims to support the logistics and supply chain of essential medicines in Kiribati by 1) following up on previous situation analysis and recommendations, updates on logistics and supply chain of essential medicines in Kiribati, 2) providing technical support tailored for Kiribati based on previous assessments, aligned with Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) needs and preferences, 3) under supervision of CLO and DPS, engaging with partners and stakeholders, including the CLO, DPS, and other development partners and others to discuss and seek potential solutions and mid/long-term sustainable approaches adequate to Kiribati context
2. Background
Kiribati faces many challenges ensuring access to medical products and declares stockouts of essential medicines on a regular basis. These issues have incremented with recent challenges, including COVID-19 and its impact of the pandemic and the interruption of international supply chains.
In Kiribati, appropriate basic procurement and supply chain activities are strongly challenged with multiple factors, amongst others by the limited resource, capacity, infrastructure, as well as limited human resource. WHO DPS is to provide support and respond to regular major shortages of essential medicines experienced in Kiribati.
3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Estimated start date: 1 September 2023
Duration: 29 February 2024
4. Work to be performed
The contractor will support MHMS to implement and improve supply chain management of essential medicines and medical products in Kiribati.
The consultant will prepare assignment reports and project documents, including databases and monitoring tools, attend and coordinate meetings with national counterparts and partners, and perform other related duties as needed.
The contractor will follow technical guidance from WHO CO, Tarawa Kiribati, WHO DPS in Suva, Fiji, WPRO office in Manila and WHO HQ, when needed. The contractor shall work closely with the relevant government institutions and partners in countries.
The consultant will support different activities in the context on supply chain management, including logistics of essential medicines and medical products in Kiribati:
Planning and procurement:
- Follow up previous assessment and the uptake of recommendations
- Consult in developing and revising available tools for stockpile assessment, quantification and supply monitoring of essential medicines and medical products.
- Consult in identifying a dedicated procurement team including responsibilities, tasks and workload distribution.
- Contribute in identifying budget estimates, finding appropriate funding sources to ensure sustainable access to essential medicines and medical products in Kiribati.
Technical support for MHMS and pharmacy staff:
- Provide trainings and consultations to the pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, logistics personnel and local officers to monitor key performance Indicator to ensure successful implementation of supply chain management activities.
- Provide on job- trainings and empower the store managers to control and monitor stock levels
- Provide trainings on handling of certain medical products, for example with specific storage condition, packaging and handling care
- Provide trainings to perform forecasting exercises as well as procurement and distribution plans for commonly used medicines.
- Coordinate and contribute in developing and updating guidelines, SOPs and relevant documents for supply chain and logistics related activities to ensure access to essential medical products in Kiribati
In consultation with MHMS, CLO/DPS and partners, develop and update mid and long term strategies addressing supply chain issues of essential medicines and medical products.
Methods to carry out the activities
Output 1. Ensure availability of stock of key medicines
- Deliverable 1: Develop and update tools for stockpile assessment, quantification, and supply and stock monitoring
- Deliverable 2: Provide budget estimation and sustainability of funding at country level
Output 2. Ensure supply chain management guidelines suit Kiribati context
- Deliverable 3: Update supply chain management guidelines, forms and SOPs for essential medicines and medical products
- Deliverable 4: Conduct capacity building in form of trainings and consultations. Develop training materials, train relevant staff, and record training activities.
Output 3. Potential solutions and sustainable approaches to Kiribati context
- Deliverable 5: Final report with key strategies with potential solutions and mid/long term sustainable approaches are proposed in collaboration with partners, stakeholders and MHMS.
5. Specific requirements
Education Qualifications
Essential: University degree in pharmacy, supply chain management or related sciences from an accredited/recognized institute. Desirable: Specialized training in procurement and supply chain management of medicines and medical products.
Experience:
Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in the area of supply chain and logistics of essential medicines. Related experience working in low and middle income countries, especially in Pacific Island.
Desirable: Experience and skills in providing in-country technical support and building national capacity. Working experience in regulation of medical products. Relevant experience in WHO, other UN agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations, or non-governmental organizations.
- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
- Excellent technical knowledge in the field of medical products with focus on supply and logistics of essential medicines
- Excellent understanding of the concepts of access to medical products, supply chain management, rational selection and use.
- Independent judgement; and ability to anticipate new trends in the field of medical products and take actions accordingly.
- Office software applications, in particular Microsoft Excel and Word and mSupply.
- Language requirements:
Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.
Knowledge of local language is an asset.
- Competencies
- Technical Expertise
- Overall Attitude at Work
- Respecting and Promoting Individual and Cultural Differences
- Communication
Community engagement
LANGUAGES
Fluent in written and spoken English
6. Competencies
- Ability to clearly and briefly generate insights based on analysis of data
- Strong capacity to communicate clearly and quickly
- Exceptional organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and produce high quality outputs
- Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment
- Willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback
7. Place of Assignment South Tarawa, Kiribati and potential travels to outer islands
8. Medical Certificate (Consultants only)
Individual consultants must provide WHO fitness for work form from their physician.
9. Travel South Tarawa, Kiribati and potential travels to outer islands
Additional Information
- This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
- WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
- Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
- WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
- The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a challenging logistics problem you faced and how you solved it? | This question assesses problem-solving skills in a logistics context. | Discuss a specific situation, your thought process, and the solution you implemented. |
| How do you prioritize tasks in a complex supply chain environment? | This evaluates organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Explain a time you needed to train a team. What approach did you take? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you suggest for improving supply chain resilience in Kiribati? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time you engaged with stakeholders to address a logistics issue. What was the outcome? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |