Special Advisor to Chairman of the National Warehouse Advisory Committee (NWAC)

The current procurement and supply management system is mostly parallel and with a lot of challenges. Efforts are being put in place under the Nigeria Supply Chain Integration project to integrate the supply chains of the different programmes- Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV, and Reproductive Health & Vaccines where appropriate to make them more effective and efficient.

There is work underway to ensure effective Federal and State coordination, designing and implementing a warehousing and distribution network with 6 zonal-hubs operated with support of private sector, and strengthening of Logistics Management system.

There will be a period of transition from the programme specific arrangements associated with in-bound supply, transport to warehouses, and ultimate delivery to facilities to the new integrated arrangements. During the transition there will be a hybrid of arrangements in place, and it is important that there is no disruption to patient treatment.

Purpose:

To ensure that all the parties in the warehousing and distribution network corporate with the National Warehouse Advisory Committee (NWAC) -Secretariat in complying with all activities intended to integrate and manage warehousing and distribution system in line with NWAC vision. To manage the  critical risk factors in transitioning all warehouse and distribution functions to NSCIP platforms, all of which will requires stronger political will than will normally be provided by any other PMO operatives. To facilitate the requests for approvals from high level FMOH and SMOH officials most of which have overwhelmed the PMO operatives ( lessons from year 1 – Kuehne Foundation). To Institute any other functions that will ensure resilience of system. To ensure most especially all vertical contracts cease to exist as soon as NSCIP platform is ready.

The Special Advisor Chairman NWAC shall support preparation of a detailed transition plan working hand in hand with the Project Managers of the Nigeria Supply Chain Integration Project and then execution as follows but not limited to;

1. To manage the critical risk factors in assessing and pronouncing NSCIP platform s are ready  and any existing holder of the contract ceases to hold them and transit which requires stronger political will than will normally be provided by any other PMO operatives.
2. Facilitate approvals request of NWAC Secretariat from Chairman of NWAC-HMH and Chairman of SC and any other request from the ministries –HCH at state level, Legal Unit,FMOH and any other stakeholders.
3. Effectively support Principal Recipients in planning, management, and monitoring of procurement and supply management functions of health commodities procured with The Global Fund resources in Nigeria over the transition period.
4. Capture from various existing documents and sources the current information flows and physical supply management arrangements and steps for health commodities procured with Global Fund resources in Nigeria
5. Liaise with other Partners in the Nigeria Supply Chain Integration Project who will be transitioning to the newly designed system and ensure appropriate coordination is in place
6. Liaise with Principal Recipients of the Global Fund and the N SCIP Project office to map out detailed options for transition for each disease/programme
7. Obtain and analyse the procurement and supply management plans of Principal Recipients – what products are due to be delivered and distributed where and when - and plan inbound shipments to the new zonal warehouses and downstream logistics.
8. Develop “what-if” scenarios based on potential changes in dates and/or requirements – e.g. delayed delivery to port; delayed availability of storage space.
9. Support distribution planning and re-supply of health commodities
10. Review the current 3rd Party Logistics arrangements under each of the Principal Recipients and align them to the new structure of zonal warehouses in Abuja and Lagos
11. Review the current 3rd Party Logistics arrangements under each of the Principal Recipients, plan and execute a seamless transition into the new zonal warehousing and distribution contracts to be set up at Cross Rivers and Sokoto hubs; in addition the hubs in Lagos and FCT
12. Ensure that the current “as is” is maintained in zones that integration is yet to take place (Imo and Gombe Hubs) while transitioning as may be required.
13. Provide information and support to the “Contracts Management Team” that will be managing contracts on behalf of stakeholders as may be required
14. Propose implementable risk management actions and support follow up on the risk mitigation measures.
15. Work in collaboration with the Global Fund’s Capacity Building Service contractors who support the N SCIP

Education:

Bachelors' Degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Business Administration, Procurement/Supply Chain or other relevant social science subjects.

Required:

A minimum of 5 years’ experience of end-to-end Supply Chain principles, practices and processes is required.  At least 3 years operational Supply Chain experience – for example with a private sector 3PL or 4PL organization, a functional role within an international industrial corporation, within a leading consulting organization, or a credible provider of technical assistance is an added advantage.

In-depth knowledge and credible expert experience of elements of Supply Chain Management including:

• Supply planning and logistics scheduling
• Inventory control and replenishment management
• Distribution of health commodities
• Transport modes, operations and costing. Vehicle and resource scheduling
• Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS)
• Experience of Supply Chains (systems, stakeholders and networks) in developing countries, especially Africa.

• In-depth knowledge and credible expert experience of the following elements of Supply Chain Management;

1. Demand management and forecasting
2. Performance management, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
3. Outsourcing and the management of logistics service providers (3 and 4 PLs) and/or PPP-type arrangements
4. Warehousing methods including Warehouse Management Systems (WMS);

• Knowledge or experience of the Global Fund operations.
• Experience of working effectively within project management environment.
• Experience as operating as an technical advisor/ consultant.
• Knowledge and experience of the Pharmaceutical Sector.
• Membership of a recognized professional supply chain organization.

Language:

• Procurement and Supply Chain: Good understanding of processes and practices associated with procurement and supply of goods and services. Knowledge of Supply Chain IT systems and potential benefits.
• Financial Management: monitoring expenditures and using cost-benefit thinking to set priorities;
• Political awareness: Ability to share information with others, generating a common interest and team working dynamics; 
• Project Management: good project management skills; ability to gather relevant input, analyze data/facts from appropriate sources; ability to anticipate potential risks, especially those related to misuse of funds;

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• This is a local position and only qualified Nigerians are eligible to apply.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Mandatory cover letter: All applicants are requested to support their application by a one-page cover letter explaining the skills, experiences and characteristics that make them especially suited to the advertised position.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.