National Consultant - Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) Consultant

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Position Title: National Consultant - Reproductive Health Commodity security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (RHCS) Consultant
Location: Addis Ababa
Country: Ethiopia
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization emphasizes the importance of reproductive health and gender equality, aiming to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 outlines its commitment to achieving transformative results and addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' health and rights.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) will be stationed at the Federal Ministry of Health in Ethiopia, specifically within the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Lead Executive Office. This role is crucial in supporting the Ministry in planning, implementing, and monitoring RHCS activities at the federal level. The consultant will ensure systematic assessment of results and provide technical assistance to enhance the effectiveness of RHCS initiatives. The consultant will work closely with the Programme Specialist for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) at the UNFPA Country Office, contributing to the overarching goals of UNFPA's strategic plan and addressing the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic on reproductive health services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for coordinating joint interventions between UNFPA and the Ministry of Health (MOH) through proposal development, work plan preparation, implementation, and reporting. Key responsibilities include strengthening Federal RHCS forums/networks to prioritize Commodity Security (CS), conducting field visits, participating in review meetings, and preparing status and progress reports while identifying challenges and recommending corrective actions. The consultant will oversee physical inventory stock counts, assess logistics indicators, and monitor quarterly reporting of contraceptive stock status by the MOH and partners. Additionally, the consultant will support coordination efforts with other UN agencies in RHCS and supply chain management, build capacity at the Federal MOH in forecasting, inventory control, storage, and distribution of RH commodities, optimize commodity distribution, document lessons learned, and provide technical support for policy and program development in RHCS and supply chain management. Regular monitoring missions will be conducted to assess RH commodities' stock status and storage conditions, and the consultant will investigate reported stock-outs and stock imbalances, ensuring effective implementation of Last Mile Assurance (LMA) assessments and quarterly stock status reviews.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Pharmacy, Public Health, or related Health Sciences. A minimum of two years of experience in RHCS program planning, implementation, and management is required. Extensive knowledge of commodity logistics, warehouse management, forecasting, and quantification of RH commodities is essential. Strong teamwork, communication, and analytical skills are necessary, along with proficiency in current office software applications. Familiarity with the Ethiopian Public Health System is considered a distinct advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Master’s degree in Pharmacy, Public Health, or related Health Sciences. This advanced degree is crucial for understanding the complexities of reproductive health and commodity security, as well as for effectively contributing to the planning and implementation of relevant programs.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant experience in reproductive health commodity security program planning, implementation, and management. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in similar roles, demonstrating their ability to manage and coordinate health programs effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of Ethiopian regional languages and another UN language is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration within diverse teams and communities.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position offers an attractive compensation package, with the actual remuneration determined based on the evaluation of the candidate's profile and the requirements of the role. UNFPA promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics. The selection process may involve background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance, and other administrative requirements.