VACANCY NO.: Job ID 2766 CLOSING DATE: 5 January 2015 (5.00 p.m. New York time) POST TITLE: RHCS Coordinator CATEGORY: ICS-11 (equivalent to P-4) POST NUMBER: 43024 DUTY STATION: Kinshasa, DRC POST TYPE: Non-Rotational DURATION: One year (renewable)[i] ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: ESARO/Democratic Republic of Congo Background Information
Within the framework of its technical assistance to the DR Congo, UNFPA program has a major reproductive health component in conformance with its mandate. UNFPA support to the DR Congo through the reproductive health component comprises several strategic areas, among them the rehabilitation of maternity and health centers, the training of health care providers, awareness-raising activities, behavior change communication and the supply of reproductive health commodities (medicines, contraceptives, condoms, medical equipment and materials).
Reproductive health commodities are key ingredients for a successful implementation of UNFPA program, as it is appropriately expressed in the slogan « no commodities, no program ». Reproductive health commodities should not only be available but they should also be of high quality, accessible and in sufficient quantities, in short, securitized. To that purpose, UNFPA along with other agencies have developed a reproductive health commodity security strategy (RHCS).
A number of countries have developed national reproductive health commodity security plans as well as strategic action plans that require strong technical support for their successful execution in the majority of cases. The recruitment of a Reproductive Health Commodity Security Coordinator falls within this framework.
****Specific Duties and Responsibilities:****
Under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Representative, and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the RHCS Coordinator will assist the Minister of Health in implementing the UNFPA supported RHCS plan on strengthening RHC logistics and RH/FP services within the framework of the Health Sector Development Program. S/He will reinforce partnership on the RHCS. S/He will work closely with headquarters units, including CMB and PSS.I. Technical and capacity building
- Technical and Strategic Support
- Provide technical support to National RH program to ensure the mainstreaming of RHCS into policies and programmes; work together with the same to ensure a series of RHCS related policy and systems reforms are effected.
- Support, in close cooperation with the other members of the National Reproductive Health Taskforce established in DRC, the setting of RH/Safe Motherhood Network, with the purpose of raising awareness at the community level and among professionals regarding Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Initiatives;
- Provide support for optimal implementation of RHCS strategic plan on the basis of continuous review and analysis of demographic and socio-economic data and related national policies, recommending and ensuring necessary corrective actions;
- Assist national partners in analyzing and disseminating data on the utilization of commodities;
- Finalize the mapping of health structures offering commodities across the country
- Support the needs assessment for commodities in the country as well propose a funding plan
- Assist national partners in setting up an effective procurement and supply management for commodities in compliance with national standards and norms
- Support the evaluation of the reproductive health commodity security plan implementation
- Conduct advocacy activities for implementation of the reproductive health commodity security plan with the Government, donors and others stakeholders in the health sector
- Set up a mechanism for sub office warehouse management
- Assist in collating and documenting responses on RHCS and innovative RH interventions within country programmes and share lessons learned and success stories for improved programming, advocacy and resource mobilization;
- National Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening for sustainableRHCS
- Provide technical assistance, oversee and monitor the procurement of Reproductive Health Commodities to ensure uninterrupted flow of RHCS in DRC.
- Preparation of work plans and budgets, oversight of finances and cash flow and lobby for adequate availability of funds to complete required work
- Monitoring of RHCS strategic plan progress against the Master Plan log frame, obtaining the means of verification of purpose and output indicators
- In collaborations with a multi-sectoral team oversee the development and implementation of a rapid RHCS assessment to identify and analyze the RH commodities supply chain in DRC so as to serve as the basis a proper and uninterrupted flow of RH commodities in DRC
- Support the Directorate of RH program to any potential problems and ensure the prompt resolution of any obstacles or difficulties that might be encountered
- Establishing and maintaining effective collaborative working arrangements with procurement agencies of the MOH, and other stakeholders to ensure that all planning activities and procurement plans are well-coordinated
- Coordination, organization and management of the Logistic Management Information System (LMIS), with RHCS mainstreamed, of the public health facilities and ensure national ownership and readiness to take over this responsibility
- Provide support in the organization of training sessions in commodity management for stakeholders
- Provide technical assistance to ensure the effective implementation of the reform program and monitor the procurement of Reproductive Health Commodities to ensure uninterrupted flow of RHCs.
- Preparation of work plans and budgets, oversight of finances and cash flow and lobby for adequate availability of project funds to complete required project workII. Managerial Functions:
- Assist to organize and participate actively in meetings and desk reviews and undertake monitoring missions to assess progress of the strategic plan implementation, including appropriate substantive and administrative follow-up actions.
- Provide support to the process of technical/annual and financial reviews of RHCS strategic plan through the preparation of internal documents to assess progress of implementation;
- Provide linkage to ensure functional flow of information through effective use of all communication media: written, verbal and electronic within the MoH and funding agencies including UNFPA.III. Programme Administration: Oversee, monitor and analyze on a continuous basis, substantive programme implementation, including preparing substantive programme and financial reports on the RHCS Strategic Plan; Undertake any other assignments as may be given by the MoH. Required Competencies
i) Values: Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change
ii) 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, Communicating for impact
iii) Managerial competencies
· Providing strategic focus
· Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders
· Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance
· Making decisions and exercising sound judgment
iv) Functional Competencies
· Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda;
· Results-based programme development and management;
· Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/Building strategic alliances and partnerships;
· Innovation and marketing of new approaches;
· Resource mobilization;
· Job knowledge/Technical expertise
Qualifications and Experience:
- Masters degree or equivalent in Public Health, Health Care Management, Pharmacy, Logistics, or similar professional degree. Professional and logistics qualifications in procurement an asset
- 7 years experience in public sector pharmaceutical supplies management of which 5 years experience should be in developing countries. Also experience in public sector pharmaceutical program management at national level, especially in policy & management, Selection, Access, Quality Assurance and Rational Drug Use is strongly desired.
- Significant public procurement and supply management experience related to the Health Sector (pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical medical supplies), particularly in the context of Sector-wide Approaches (Swaps) and other funding mechanisms emphasizing donor coordination/harmonization and in conflict situation.
- Senior-level procurement and supply management and advisory services covering the full procurement cycle and significant experience in logistics capacity building, covering the full procurement cycle,
- Health sector-specific experience, including: Experience with Public Health systems in developing countries, Health Commodity Supply Market, Logistics and inventory management related to pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, based on sound Supply Chain Management principles
- Excellent command of English and French;
[i] No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulations 4.5
HOW TO APPLY:
UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy.
Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at
Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process. Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. * This is a project funded post.
