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 highlights its commitment to achieving transformative results and addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to reproductive health services. UNFPA seeks principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, and who are committed to delivering high-impact results in their work.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) will play a crucial role in supporting the Federal Ministry of Health in Ethiopia. This position involves 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, coordinating joint interventions between UNFPA and the Ministry of Health. The role requires a proactive approach to strengthen RHCS forums and networks, ensuring that commodity security remains a priority within the health system. The consultant will also be responsible for conducting field visits, preparing reports, and overseeing logistics related to RH commodities, including contraceptives. This position is vital for optimizing the distribution of RH commodities and facilitating information exchange to improve programming and advocacy efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of duties, including: coordinating joint interventions between UNFPA and the Ministry of Health through proposal development and work plan preparation; strengthening Federal RHCS forums/networks to prioritize Commodity Security; conducting field visits and participating in review meetings; preparing status and progress reports while identifying challenges and recommending corrective actions; overseeing physical inventory stock counts and logistics indicators assessments; monitoring quarterly reporting of contraceptive stock status; supporting coordination efforts with other UN agencies in RHCS and supply chain management; building capacity at the Federal MOH in forecasting, inventory control, storage, and distribution of RH commodities; optimizing commodity distribution; documenting and sharing lessons learned; providing technical support for policy and program development in RHCS; conducting regular monitoring missions; and investigating reported stock-outs and stock imbalances to take immediate corrective actions. The consultant will also ensure effective implementation of Last Mile Assurance assessments and participate in evaluations and periodic technical reviews of the program.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree in Pharmacy, Public Health, or related Health Sciences. Candidates should have a minimum of two years of experience in RHCS program planning, implementation, and management. 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:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Pharmacy, Public Health, or a related field within Health Sciences. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of reproductive health and commodity security.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant experience in reproductive health commodity security program planning, implementation, and management is required. This experience should include a strong understanding of logistics, warehouse management, and the ability to forecast and quantify RH commodities effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. 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 pay package, with actual remuneration determined based on the evaluation of the candidate's profile and the requirements of the role. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of 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 appointment, training, compensation, and selection processes, ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of its workforce.