Crown Agents
About the role
Job Title: Supply Chain Expert
Location: Guyana
Start date: 15th September 2022
End date: 31st December 2022
LOE (#days): Up to75 (subject to review by the client)
Applicants must be based in Guyana to be considered. No application from candidates not based in Guyana will be considered.
Background:
Though Guyana met its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets for nutrition, child health (under five years of age), and communicable diseases, it continues to experience maternal and infant mortality rates (less than one year of age) that are among the highest in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. The maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 121 per 100,000 live births and the infant mortality rate is estimated at 23 per 1,000 live births. Most infant deaths occur in the neonatal period (up to 28 days after birth). To manage this, the country is looking at strengthening its supply chain systems that support the forecasting, procurement, storage, distribution, and availability of essential maternal, child and neonatal health commodities. A first step to strengthening the supply chain systems will be an assessment of the existing supply chain mechanisms, process flows for forecasting, procurement and distribution at all supply chain levels and propose steps the MOH should take to implement an electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMS).
Crown Agents is preparing to bid for the Health Facilities Supply Chain Assessment Consultancy Services in support to the improvement of Maternal and Child Health Services of the Ministry of Health, Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The programme will require the expertise of a Supply Chain Expert. Reporting into a Technical Health Team Leader and working closely with a Digital Health Expert, the Supply Chain Expert will provide technical assistance to MoH on assessing the current in-country supply chain information flows, design and cost suitable information system improvement solutions and identify capacity building opportunities to secure efficient procurement, inventory management and distribution in selected regions.
Main Project Activities
- Review of the current Logistics Management System (LMS) inclusive of, but not limited to, a mapping and review of the current process flows related to forecasting, procurement and distribution of the different types of commodities (assuming different commodities might have different process flows).
- Conduct an evaluation on the current Logistic Management System from different perspectives including those of the health facilities, regional hubs and health departments, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the patients/clients. To carry-out this activity, the consultancy will conduct interviews and/or focal points with the different stakeholders.
- Outline any limitations encountered during the review and list recommendations – particularly regarding improvements needed in process flows and how to achieve them (e.g., participatory design of new process flows, training, supervision, etc.).
- Prepare a report on aspects that the MoH should take into consideration to implement an electronic Logistic Management System (eLMS), including the selection of the most appropriate electronic solution, given Guyana’s context, the acquisition of hardware and software, the establishment of an implementation plan (e.g., pilots, evaluations, phased approach), the definition of the stakeholders that should be involved in each phase of the project, etc.
- Quick assessment of the existing gaps to carry-out the implementation of an eLMIS.
- Recommend viable options for an electronic logistics management information system (eLMIS) for the supply chain taking into consideration the geographical context and infrastructural capacity of Guyana.
- Prepare a costed report on the implementation of an electronic Logistic Management System with clear indications of the different types of resources needed. The costed implementation plan should be disaggregated by regions and resource needs, that is, fix cost, capital cost and recurrent cost by year.
- Recommend strategies to support the development of public/private collaboration to strengthen public health supply chain management systems for drugs and medical supplies, including procurement (e.g., centralized purchasing).
Position Summary:
The Supply Chain Expert will be based in Guyana and will be responsible for the overall delivery of the Health Facility Supply Chain Assessment in the country. He will work closely with other key experts including the Health Team Leader, the Digital Health Expert, any other non-key experts and counterparts in Crown Agents HQ London. The Supply Chain Expert will be the key point of contact for all supply chain workflows, issues, risks and process improvement. Main responsibilities will include:
- Work with all the relevant stakeholders in country to rapidly map out the current LMIS functionality in Guyana.
- Produce value stream analysis to identify and document process waste and/or value -adding solutions.
- Assist the team members on LMIS strategy development and ensure TA deliverables are progressed efficiently, effectively and timely.
- Input in and deliver all programme milestones accurately and timely per client expectations, including narrative reports.
- Ensure technical and programmatic risks are identified, documented, mitigated and managed efficiently.
- Manage client and stakeholder relationships to high professional standards per programme requirements and client’s need.
Expected Deliverables
- Documented methodological approach and work plan of the different activities per set timeline.
- Submission of an evaluation report on the current logistic management system and process flows from the various perspectives including the health facilities, regional hubs, and the end users, among others.
- Submission of a formal narrative report detailing aspects that should be considered for the implementation of an electronic logistic management system, gap analysis and recommended electronic logistic management systems.
- Submission of costed implementation plan, Operational Model, stakeholders’ engagement plan and M&E Strategy including the selected electronic logistics management system as per project schedule
- Current LMIS assessment (as-is process mapping)
- Operational information flow gap analysis
- Inventory management gaps and opportunities including consumption, forecasting, quantification, storage and distribution gaps and opportunities
- DHIS2 gaps and opportunities
- LMIS integration gaps and opportunities
- Design of improved LMIS solution
- Inputs in narrative reports
Responsibilities:
Specific responsibilities of the Supply Chain Expert include:
Technical Leadership
- Participate in and proactively contribute to weekly reporting meetings with the MMU Unit.
- Develop the technical strategy to strengthen the supply chain information flows, covering procurement, forecasting and supply planning(FASP), storage, distribution and last mile patient data to ensure efficient downstream and upstream supply chain processes.
- Identify suitable innovation plans and budgets.
- Identify capacity building needs and training plans.
- Align to Crown Agents’ Ways of Working.
- Promote continuous process improvement as needed.
- Support Crown Agents Global Health team to distil and apply lessons learnt from work in Guyana across the Crown Agents portfolio of programmes.
Stakeholder Coordination
- Work closely with Team Leader and Digital Health Expert on the country’s LMIS need assessment.
- Carry out collaborative technical research and consultations with MOH representatives and programme partners to ensure strategic operational alignment, suitable innovation targets and capacity building plans.
- Support the development of the digital health solution working closely with the Digital Health Expert.
Project Management
- Provide overall technical oversight of the technical improvement solution change process, ensuring benefits are clearly defined and risks mitigated.
- Input in the preparation of periodic and final narrative reports.
- Work closely with the Programme Management and Technical Advisory teams within Crown Agents HQ to ensure programme deliverables are implemented according to MOH Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) standards and regulations.
Person Specification:
To succeed in this role, you will have:
- Master’s degree (or higher degree) in health supply chain management, medicine, health administration, public health or equivalent field, is required.
- At least 10 years’ experience leading public health and/or quality of care programmes in a procurement and supply chain role.
- Significant experience in assessing or working with supply chain information systems in a developing country context involving change management.
- Knowledge of the operational reality in Guyana and the LAC region. Supply chain experience in Latin America and/or the Caribbean would is a plus.
- At least 10 years’ experience in any of these areas: supply chain and procurement project management, strategic planning and consulting, capacity building delivery.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent technical and report writing skills.
- Knowledge of Microsoft package applications.
- Flexibility and adaptability – client management oriented
Desired
- CIPS/MCIPS highly desired.
- Experience with supply chain software and mobile apps.
About what’s on offer
You’ll be working with Crown Agents which is a high impact social enterprise passionate about transforming the future for millions of people. Since our creation in 1833 we have worked across the globe to improve public services and drive economic growth. Our expertise is finding new solutions to difficult problems for clients in the areas of health, governance, economic growth, humanitarian action and supply chain services. We work with and train leaders at local, national and international level to achieve lasting change drawing on our insight and experience.
Crown Agents is committed to diversity and will promote diversity for all candidates at all times as well as a business culture that reflects that belief. Crown Agents will treat everyone equally irrespective of race, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation, and places an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy. Crown Agents shall not discriminate unlawfully when deciding which candidates are selected for interview, or in any terms of employment, and will ensure that each candidate is assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the role. Crown Agents is committed to being an organisation enhanced by diversity and encourages applications from anyone who shares our values and commitment to improving the lives of communities affected by poverty or conflict.
Crown Agents offers a competitive benefits package.