The Specialist, Health Products Management with Regional Manager and members of the country team/s works in coordination with the Health Product Management (HPM) Hub in the Grant Management Support department in defining HPM priorities and sustainable system strengthening investments, in collaboration with key in-country stakeholders, in his/her assigned portfolio.

The Specialist, as a country member plays a key role in the efficient management of grants, ensures the provision of adequate technical expertise for complex and strategic matters and support to analyze risks and propose solutions for the efficient implementation of pharmaceutical management, service delivery and supply chain management activities for health products by implementers.

He/she also participates in the development of Global Fund operational policies and guidelines related to HPM.

Key Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the Specialist, Health Product Management include:

1. Advising on HPM aspects of Global Fund investment:

Throughout the country dialogue, concept note and grant making development and grant implementation as member of the Country Team (CT), the Specialist, HPM ensures strategic investments and value for money from a health product management perspective, by

Engaging with key in-country stakeholders in identifying gaps and areas of improvement, and support new or innovative in-country health product related initiatives, to facilitate rapid uptake of new technologies, to optimize treatment and testing in line with international guidelines in order to improve performance of supply chain systems and programmatic impact respectively.
Proposing innovative and constructive solutions to operational challenges and way forward (updated policies, tools, guidance, specific approach to given countries);

Pro-actively identifying ways to streamline processes to improve country access to health products, and facilitate timely start-up of grants and supporting grant implementation through training and other capacity building initiatives.

Validating the PSM arrangements and the supply plan, including forecasting and related budget for health products for their respective portfolio and provide appropriate mitigation measures to address gaps/challenges, including short-term and longer-term solutions and recommendations for pharmaceutical systems strengthening investment. Facilitating access to appropriate technical assistance.

2. Contributing to the development of the risk and assurance framework:

Identify key risks related to health product management and HPM arrangements and ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are in place for the effective and efficient implementation of activities related to the management of health products and improvement of systems to prevent service disruption and poor quality of services, use of substandard health products, and ensure effective use of grant funds. Escalate any HPM, service delivery related risks to CT, Regional Manager, Senior Specialists and/or the HPM Hub, as necessary.
Ensuring adherence to the Global Fund policies and reviewing instances of non-compliance and proposing remedial actions;
Contribute to defining and monitoring the assurance providers according to identified risks and provide support to the other CTs in the region, including inputs to the LFA budget, preparation and implementation of LFA services, monitoring of performance and Level of Effort required for specific assignments.
3. Contributing to the development and roll out of strategies and operational policies

Involved in specific work streams and deliverables on HPM
Recognised internally as an expert and source of reference for other colleagues in the other departments;
Contributing to or leading regional initiatives as coordinated by the regional manager or Department Head.
Contributing to internal and external trainings and guidance on Global Fund HPM policies, procedures and tools;
International duty travel should not exceed 25 percent, except in exceptional circumstances, and should be based on six-monthly planning conducted by country teams that prioritize key deliverables where in-country presence is required.

Subject to change by the Executive Director at any time at his sole discretion.

Qualifications

Essential:

Advanced university degree in pharmacy, medicine or public health.
Experience

Essential:

Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience working in pharmaceutical management, procurement and supply-chain management of health products at international level, including in developing countries, including:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in managing complex PSM situations, managing/mitigating risks related to health products at country, regional or international level.
Experience in developing PSM related policies, operational tools, and guidance
Experience in developing partnerships on health product selection, uptake of new technologies, procurement and supply management matters at country, regional or international level
Proven track record in leading work streams or teams in multi-cultural environment
Desirable:

Experience in both demand and supply side activities related to pharmaceutical management and in particular related to AIDS, tuberculosis and/or malaria.

Competencies

Languages:

An excellent knowledge of English and preferably a good working knowledge of French or one of the following: Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Technical Competencies:

Health Product Management

Demonstrated sound knowledge and expertise of pharmaceutical management good practices.
Good understanding of health system operations and legal matters that govern pharmaceutical sector (regulation of pharmaceutical/health products, legal framework on which medical stores operate, flow of funds in health sector, policy decision making structures)
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the complexity of procurement and supply chain management models for health products including demand projections and supply delivery mechanisms/models. Updated on the innovative solutions used across the sector to find sustainable solutions in managing supply chains for health products.
Policy Acumen

Demonstrates ability to understand and apply policies and procedures related to grant management and apply these effectively with a variety of stakeholders.
Capacity to take the lead in solving complex issues. Adapt policy and guidance to the reality / context.
Capacity to design an assurance plan to verify adequate implementation of PSM activities, and corrective measures.
Leadership competencies

Ability to lead, collaborate and coordinate work and technical assistance at central, regional and country level with technical partners and other donors.

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Job Posting End Date

08 April 2018