Myanmar: Technical Advisor, Forecasting and Supply Planning
Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 12 Dec 2013
BACKGROUND:
The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PSCM) is implementing the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) contract for USAID as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. SCMS will strengthen or establish secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable supply chains capable of meeting the care and treatment needs of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. In coordination with in-country and international partners, we will: assist programs to enhance their supply-chain capacity; ensure that accurate supply-chain information is collected, shared, and used; and provide quality, affordable, health care products to those who need them. SCMS will offer services in focus countries identified by the USG team, with SCMS field offices established in selected countries as required by the scope of work in the country.
Management Sciences for Health (MSH) manages the SCMS Project in Myanmar. MSH is a non-profit organization that works in 65 countries around the world. MSH’s mission is to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. MSH is currently implementing two projects in Myanmar; both projects seek support and provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health, key MOH counterparts and other stakeholders in Myanmar.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Technical Advisor for Forecasting and Supply Planning will be responsible for providing technical assistance to the national systems for the quantification of HIV commodities. A key aim is to institutionalize the quantification paradigm of annual forecasting and quarterly supply planning as utilized successfully throughout SCMS. He or she will work under the responsibility of the Country Director. The Technical Advisor for Forecasting and Supply Planning shall primarily be responsible for ensuring that the quantification [1] of HIV/AIDS related commodities is conducted through a technically appropriate and efficient approach. He or she will be responsible for the quantification of HIV/AIDS related commodities using tools such as Quantimed and others that are specifically designed for ARVs and related commodities by providing all necessary support to the national quantification committee. He or she shall be responsible for ensuring that the supply planning process is managed, currently through updating and analyzing data in the Pipeline® tool, for antiretroviral (ARVs) and other major HIV/AIDS commodities such as test kits, major drugs to treat opportunistic infections and sexually transmitted infections, laboratory supplies, and other commodities procured by SCMS. The Technical Advisor will develop regular quantification reports of commodity needs, including analysis and demand to inform the SCMS procurement strategy.
[1] Quantification includes selection and specification of HIV/AIDS commodities, forecasting future consumption and generating a supply plan to initiate procurements.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:
Provide technical leadership on forecasting and supply plan development activities for HIV/AIDS commodities to the national quantification committee, donors and implementing partners.
Train, guide and mentor counterparts in the use of forecasting and supply planning approaches and tools.
Coordinate, in collaboration with counterparts and the SCMS Monitoring & Evaluation team data analysis to identify assumptions and determine appropriate data values inputs to the forecasting and supply planning process, reaching agreement with counterparts on these assumptions and values.
Develop product lists with national counterparts: obtain standard treatment guidelines, testing algorithms and laboratory procedures; identify whether branded or generic products are required; determine and maintain a comprehensive database for ARVs, test kits, drugs for opportunistic infections, laboratory supplies and other HIV/AIDS related commodities.
In collaboration with counterparts and the SCMS Monitoring & Evaluation team, assess the standard of, and build the capacity to generate and collect consumption data. Analyze consumption data against number of patients on treatment, using LMIS report, BIOS and determine forecast accuracy to assess proficiency of FASP process and report.
Develop cost estimates: determine cost estimates broken down by, for example, regimen; laboratory commodities unit cost, determine cost breakdown by funding source.
Monitor changes in national and international treatment regimens and standard treatment guidelines, product selection and keep abreast of developments with new products that may be appropriate for use in national health programs and eligible for procurement with USG funds.
Work with SCMS Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor to develop data collection protocols, assemble programmatic data inputs, collect and collate product consumption and inventory data.
Assist national counterparts to monitor the national pipelines for all HIV/AIDS commodities to ensure that adequate quantities of required commodities are readily available for distribution, using available tools (Pipeline, Inventory Tracking Tool, etc.).
Produce annual forecast report of consumption of HIV/AIDS commodities.
Ensure the completion of draft Quantification Technical Reports with counterparts.
Prepare quarterly reviews of forecasts and supply plans.
Maintain updated supply plans in the Xroads/CRM system, adhering to the SCMS SOPs and Work Instruction and liaise closely with procurement staff to ensure, where applicable, that PRs are created from uploaded and approved supply plans.
Maintain backup files and archive into Knowledge tree (according to existing WI) of all forecasting and quantification data submitted to headquarters or completed.
Work closely with PMO Quantification Advisor to discuss issues and challenges for supply planning and quantification data, as appropriate. In discussion with Country Director, identify technical assistance needs.
Perform other tasks, as requested, by the supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Degree in pharmacy, public health, supply chain management or combination of relevant education and experience.
At least five (5) years of work experience in the field of HIV/AIDS, health, logistics, pharmaceutical/lab/public health supplies management, supply chain systems strengthening.
Knowledge of appropriate methods for data analysis and reporting and proven ability to engage in detail-oriented, analytical tasks.
Familiarity or demonstrated skills in relevant forecasting software (uses Quantimed and PipeLine) or any other software/tools for forecasting.
Demonstrated computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.) and other analytical tools/software or programs will be necessary.
Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of public health sector and working experience in Myanmar.
Knowledge in Health Logistics System, HIV drugs management.
Working experience particularly with projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) a definite plus.
Proven ability to work as a part of a leading team but also self-managing of own time. Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, communication skills, and ability to identify and resolve operational constraints.
Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
Ability and willingness to travel locally at least 15-20% of the time.
Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
How to apply:
**To apply for this position, please submit a resume to https://jobs-msh.icims.com/jobs/6906/technical-advisor%2c-forecasting-an.... For more information about MSH, please visit our web site at www.msh.org. If you cannot apply online or have difficulty doing so, please email an explanation of your problem to iRecruiterproblem@msh.org.
