Health Products Management Specialist

This Position is advertised on behalf the Ministry of Health of Angola. Contract Type and salary scale will be in line with The Ministry of Health of Angola practices. Therefore, personnel recruited will not hold UNOPS contracts.

The role of the Health Product Specialist encompasses the following key aspects:

Procurement and supply chain management

• Provide technical support to MoH in the procurement of health products and supporting in-country procurement and supply chain capacity development for HIV, TB, Malaria and HSS programs
• Provide technical assistance to MoH and disease programs in the development of annual national forecasts, quantification and procurement plans
• Development of PSM and related grant documents including but not limited to the Lists of Health Products, defining products specifications etc
• Coordinates with storage and distribution service providers to ensure that storage of GF funded commodities comply with Good Storage and Distribution Practices (CECOMA, Neofarma, Regional, and Provincial and Municipal stores)
• Coordinates with UNDP and MOH to ensure timely availability of commodities funded by the GF to maximize opportunities for positive treatment outcomes
• Facilitate the development and timely execution of the national annual Quality Assurance Plan for products funded by the GF in collaboration with principal recipients
• Facilitate and participate in the meetings of the quantification task force for HIV, TB and Malaria and proactively validate the proposed forecasting and quantification
• Coordinates with logistics services providers to ensure timely availability of commodities funded by the GF at beneficiary facilities
• Provide PSM oversight on the TB program to ensure Operational excellence
• Provide oversight support to the Malaria program. The HPM specialist Liaises with the UNDP to ensure smooth coordination of HIV program
• Support  technical  CECOMA to ensure compliance to GxP (good quality practices)
• Provide regular analysis on the PR procurement activities to inform efficient procurement decisions
• Advise MoH on best procurement and supply chain management practices in accordance with Global Fund policies and international standards
• Regularly track technical assistance milestones and report to the Coordinator and Country Team
• Reporting to the Technical Support Unit Coordinator, the Health Products Management Specialist will also coordinate with the inter-agency oversight committee/CECOMA to ensure the efficient implementation of the Procurement and Supply Chain Management System Strengthening Component that is part of a new Health System Strengthening grant

Monitoring and Risk Mitigation

• Check for compliance to risk mitigation plans Monitor and provide support to Ministry of Health in addressing audit, Local Fund Agent and Global Fund recommendations to ensure timely fulfillment
• Provide regular reports to the Global Fund Country Team on the implementation of the existing Office of the Inspector General recommendations. Liaise with the Global Fund Pooled Procurement Mechanism to ensure timely availability of commodities funded by the Global Fund to the programs
• Ensure detailed procurement and supply chain management risk mapping of every grant implemented

Partnership Development

• Facilitate  PSM coordination mechanism of all partners involved in the 3 diseases areas and Health System Strengthening
• Explore and develop opportunities with implementing partners (UNDP, UNICEF, PMI, MSH and others) and national stakeholders on health products procurement and PSM capacity development 
• Support and coordinate the liaison with key partners including WHO, GAVI, UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA, Stop TB, RBM and the Global Fund as it relates PSM initiatives, to ensure Ministry of Health effective engagement as a key PSM partner

Knowledge Sharing

• Ensure systematic knowledge sharing on procurement with Ministry of Health by assisting in the organization of training workshops and in the development of knowledge tools
• Develop knowledge and support capacity in the areas of human rights related to access to medicines in accordance with international standards
• Provide regular updates on procurement tools, methods, and approaches relevant to procurement via the relevant PSM knowledge network  to enhance PSM capacity and,
• Seek to build the capacity of Ministry of Health and government counterparts in the area of procurement as well as develop procedures, guidelines and SOPs and best practices of procurement and supply chain management

Technical Competencies:

• Health Product Management: Demonstrated sound knowledge and expertise of pharmaceutical management good practices
• Good understanding of health system operations and legal matters that govern pharmaceutical sector (regulation of pharmaceutical/health products, legal framework on which medical stores operate, flow of funds in health sector, policy decision making structures)
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the complexity of procurement and supply chain management models for health products including demand projections and supply delivery mechanisms/models. Updated on the innovative solutions used across the sector to find sustainable solutions in managing supply chains for health products
• Policy Acumen: Demonstrates ability to understand and apply policies and procedures related to program management and apply these effectively with a variety of stakeholders
• Capacity to take the lead in solving complex issues and adapt policy and guidance to the reality / context
• Capacity to design an assurance plan to verify adequate implementation of PSM activities, and corrective measures

Leadership competencies 

• Ability to lead, collaborate and coordinate work and technical assistance at central, regional and country level with technical partners and other donors

• Working with Others: build effective internal and external relationships, involve others to solve problems and treat others with consideration and respect
• Personal Effectiveness: proactively find innovative and creative solutions, be efficient and reliable, adapt to change and uncertainty, be decisive and act with integrity
• Core Expertise: passion for building and developing core skills for the role and contribute to knowledge outside of their immediate role
• Drive for Results: focus on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them
• Motivate and inspire others to achievement of common and individual goals

• An advanced university degree in pharmacy, medicine or public health is essential
• A masters in supply chain would be desirable or equivalent combination of academic professional qualifications and relevant experience
• Additional qualifications in Public Health, Health Economics, or related fields; or an equivalent combination of academic/professional qualifications and experience

• Seven (7) years’ work experience in Health products management including pharmaceutical products
• Advanced planning and organization skills
• Experience in influencing in complex multi-stakeholder environment
• Good and contemporary understanding of policies and practices of international donors
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams with varying expertise, skills and backgrounds
• Familiarity with Angola’s health systems and challenges
• Commitment to diversity and non-discrimination on grounds of culture, disability, gender, religion, race, age and nationality
• At least five` years of experience in pharmaceutical supply chain management including design implementation and reporting aspects
• Hands on experience with proven expertise in quantification and preferably in developing countries
• Reliable, innovative, and service-oriented team member with strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills both with internal and external audiences
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.