CANDIDATES MUST BE CITIZENS OF SIERRA LEONE
Reporting to the Fund Management Specialist/Team Lead, the Procurement Specialist will perform functions that link the fund management role of IHPAU with the roles of National structures that are responsible for Procurement. On procurement of pharmaceuticals, health products and health equipment (PHPHE) using donor funds, the Procurement Specialist will work very closely with the National Pharmaceutical Procurement Unit (NPPU) and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s National Health Programmes to ensure accurate quantification, adequate procurement planning, budgeting, value for money and timely delivery of commodities. In addition, the Procurement Specialist will oversee all procurement of non-health items as per approved donor-funded budgets, maintaining a close relationship with the Procurement Unit within MOHS to enable skills transfer.
****Duties and Responsibilities****
- Support preparation of procurement plans in line with donor specifications and requirements;
- Support NPPU with the preparation of procurement plans in line with donor specifications and requirements;
- Work with NPPU to ensure sound procurement of pharmaceuticals, proper warehousing, distribution and proper use of pharmaceuticals and other commodities under the various projects take into account donor guidelines in particular the quality assurance policies and approved procurement plans;
- Monitors procurement and distribution of drugs and other commodities procured under the various projects and prepare monthly and quarterly reports;
- Participates in tender committees ensuring that procurement decisions are in line with donor requirements and national laws. In addition, ensure that relevant criteria and ability to comply with terms and conditions are taken into consideration during tender evaluations;
- Work with NPPU and Directorate for Procurement within MOHS to negotiate price reductions with suppliers where appropriate ensuring value for money and maximizing efficiency on donor funds;
- Upon receipt of requests from NPPU (PHPHE and non-health) and health programmes (non-health items), prepare contract/purchase orders;
- Verify delivery of purchased commodities/goods and review supplier invoices for completeness and accuracy prior to authorizing payments;
- Prepare and maintain asset registers for all assets procured under the various donor-funded projects;
- Participates in any re-allocation, re-programming on the donor-funded budgets and work plans;
- Advises the Fund Management Specialist and Finance Specialist on all procurement and supply chain management issues within the mandate of IHPAU;
- Maintain all records relating to procurement within the Unit, ensuring that reports and supporting documents are ready to be shared at short notice;
- Establish and continuously update a procurement tracking tool for all projects and ensure timely updates to relevant National Programmes;
- In coordination with the Procurement Unit within MOHS, oversee all procurement for non-health products funded by donor funds as per donor procurement guidelines aligned to Government rules and procedures.
- Assist the Fund Management Specialist/Team Lead in formulating official responses to all procurement and supply chain management queries from donors and MOHS top leadership.
- Support the implementation of the capacity development plan to ensure eventual transition of IHPAU’s procurement and NPPU-support functions to the Directorate of Procurement.
****Minimum Education and Experience****
- A degree in Pharmacy, Procurement, Supply chain management, Commerce, or Economics.
- Training in logistics, management, public health, or business will be considered.
- Further training in Procurement (including Masters or other Updates) will be an added advantage;
- A minimum of 8 years’ experience in procurement and supply chain management of pharmaceuticals and health products, for large and complex projects and/or grants;
- Experience in preparing procurement plans for donor-funded projects;
- Experience working on Logistics Management Information Systems;
- Experience working on procurement and supply chain management within the health sector in a developing country, in particular procurement of donor-funded commodities financed by any of the listed Sierra Leone donors (the Global Fund, UK Aid, EU, GAVI Alliance etc.);
- Significant field level experience working with other partners;
- Knowledge of procurement rules and procedures of any of the listed MOHS donors (World Bank, Global Fund, UK Aid, EU, Unicef etc.);
- Excellent computer skills with knowledge of procurement and supply management software;
- Experience in building and management of partnerships (with donors, UN agencies, civil society and other development partners);
- Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change;
- Knowledge of the Sierra Leone public health system and context;
- Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills;
- Ability to work to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments;
- Highly organized and detail oriented;
- Ability to work in and promote a team environment/concept;
- Excellent supervisory skills (coaching, mentoring and motivating staff)
- Capacity building skills with a passion for knowledge transfer.
- Strong computer skills (Excel, Word);
- Ability to write high quality door reports.
- Fluency in English with good verbal and written skills.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send your application (a mandatory cover letter and an updated CV with at least 3 references) to the following email address: sierraleonerecruitment@gmail.com with "Procurement Specialist" in the subject line of your email. CANDIDATES MUST BE CITIZENS OF SIERRA LEONE
