France: Procurement and Supply Chain Manager

Context

Solthis is an international medical NGO which aims at improving access to care for people in limited-resources settings. Its action is based on three modes of intervention: Health Systems Strengthening, Operational Research and Advocacy, with methodology based on multilevel & multidisciplinary approach: Care services delivery (medical and paramedical staff, midwives, therapeutic educators and psycho-social workers, etc.); laboratory (technicians, etc.); pharmacy (procurement, logistics supply chain teams, pharmacist, etc.); the health information system; and lastly the coordination bodies.

Project Summary

This position takes place in the OPP-ERA Project (http://opp-era.org). Phase 2.

OPP-ERA’s innovative solution aims to improving HIV-1 monitoring by increasing access to routine, affordable VLTs and HIV -1 Early Infant Diagnosis in LMICs. It contributes to global momentum, putting in practice UNAIDS 90-90-90 Strategy commitments and the WHO “Treat All” guidelines. Phase 1 showed that OPPs (open polyvalent platforms) are appropriate for low- and middle-income countries and are high performing. The open nature of the platform allows for new suppliers of complementary components of the platform to enter the market and increase competition. The project aims to stimulate a sustainable supply of OPP quality components and create a shift in the current market dynamics.

The project goal is to increase effective coverage of optimized HIV/AIDS-related tests (VLTs, EID) and demonstrate polyvalent use (TB, HBV) in LMICs. Within the project, we intend to significantly contribute to the scaled-up access to key HIV-related diagnostics in the four project countries (Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea), in complementarity to other technologies (integrated platforms and POC).

The project outcome is an increased use of OPPs for VLT and EID at the global level. By increasing access to quality VLTs and EID and providing tools to help other countries effectively use OPPs, we intend to contribute to the scale up and global use of OPPs, broadening the OPP market. In addition, the project will support suppliers to get quality certifications from WHO or Stringent Regulatory Authorities to ensure that OPPs are one of the available VLT and EID solutions eligible for international financing. In this way recipient countries can choose the most appropriate diagnostic solution according to needs. Therefore the market impact is expected on both the supply and the demand side.

Solthis will lead the consortium (composed of ANRS, Expertise France, Sidaction) in this Phase and will be the focal point for communication and reporting to UNITAID. The OPP-ERA coordination team responsible of the overall project management for the consortium, is therefor based at Solthis.

Position summary

The Procurement andSupply Chain Manager, managed by the Project Director, will be responsible to manage activities related to the Procurement and the Supply Chain management for the 4 Project’ countries.

He/she will supervize the Procurement Officer responsible to handle the Procurement activities on health and non health products.

He/she will participate to design, establish and implement the comprehensive procurement and logistics management system managing all supply chain activities, inventory control, logistics and distribution, ensuring effectively-functioning processes.

He/she will ensure compliance with quality standards for product quality control, efficacy and safety in the selection, procurement, distribution, storage and use of products including :

• Support the certification of OPP components, supporting independent evaluations,

• Select and contract independent quality evaluation of potential suppliers,

• Assess capacity of supplier and forwarding agents to ensure that they have a Quality Management System and maintain necessary quality standards throughout the supply chain, including in storage and transit.

He/she will monitor and coordinate technical support provided at national level and develop capacity in country office teams:

• Supervise the conduction of national needs assessments and the development of action plans to ensure a full transfer of competencies to national stakeholders at the end of the project,

• Support country teams to undertake quantification in future orders developing standardized quantification tools including forecasting and buffer stock,

• Support the establishment of LMIS and record keeping and support to teams to improve data collection,

• Support country teams to ensure quality SCM from port to point of use.

Profile

Education

Master’s Degree (Biology/Pharmacy/Public Health) and a minimum of 8 years in a relevant field.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

· Experience in procurement and supply chain management on health and non-health products,

· Experience in Lab commodities management would be an asset,

· Knowledge of public health policies and management,

· Experience in resource-limited settings,

· Fluent in English and French.

Personal characteristics

· Excellent communication, diplomatic and reporting skills,

· Strong organizational and management skills,

· Good analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team and able to prioritize multiple tasks, while driving results.

Conditions

Status: Employee (statut « cadre »)

Contract duration : 3 years

Starting date : August, 1st, 2016

Salary & benefits : according to professional experience and grid Solthis + health insurance (of which 85% is taken care of by Solthis), Lunch vouchers

Location of work : Post based at Paris HQ with frequent international business trips

Please send your application in English (CV, cover letter, references, dates of availability) to recrutement@solthis.org, quoting reference “Procurement and Supply Chain Manager”, by July 31^th, 2016.

Solthis reserves the right to close any vacancy before the advertised deadline. Thank you for your understanding.