Stop TB Partnership - Procurement Specialist (Health Procurement)

Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Director, the Procurement Specialist provides overall support to the National TB Program (PNLT) and other tuberculosis (TB) stakeholders in the DRC to improve the supply for TB drugs and commodities.

The responsibilities of the Procurement Specialist will be the following:

Development and Implementation of Quantification, forecasting and Procurement strategies:

• Quantify TB commodities, including first-line and second-line drugs, GeneXpert, and laboratory supplies for first-line and second-line drug susceptibility testing (Xpert MTB/RIF cartridges, line probe assay, etc).
• Coordinate the adoption, troubleshooting and ongoing usage of quantification and forecasting tools (e.g., QuanTB).
• Strengthen systems to improve stock reporting and provide early alert on possible stock-outs or expirations.
• Strengthen and streamline the TB commodity quantification and procurement process within the PNLT.
• Ensure active monitoring of orders of TB drugs and commodities.
• Coordinate the downstream coordination and management of TB commodities by improving and optimally using available tools such as the TB medicines Web based Ordering System and the TB Support Supervision Performance Assessment and Recognition Strategy (TB SPARS).
• Provide guidance to the PNLT in monitoring pharmaceutical and health product procurement needs of Global Fund, Government of DR Congo and PEPFAR grants.

Implementation of Logistics and supply chain strategies:

• Integrate logistics data quality analysis and audits into routine M&E activities to allow utilization of logistics data by the program.
• Provide technical assistance to MDR and XDR TB sites to ensure optimal stock levels with periodic on-site support.
• Develop Early Warning Systems (and strengthen existing Early Warning Systems) for blockages in the supply chain and potential stock outs, as well as potential overstocking situations that could lead to expiration of drugs and wasted resources. Identify the points where delays and blockages take place and suggest solutions to resolve the delays and blockages.
• Develop TB supply chain tracking tools, including a tool to track the domestic movement of commodities between the PNLT and provincial TB offices and prevent shipping delays once shipments are sub-contracted to local transporters, and a monthly monitoring tool to assess the efficiency of the PNLT supply chain.

Manage and guide Procurement processes:

• Sustainability embedded in the procurement process.
• Appropriate procurement modalities and instruments applied (e-sourcing, procurement and Rosters of Suppliers) based on individual case requirements, utilizing expert knowledge of procurement policies and instruments.
• Creation, implementation and oversight of proper monitoring and control of procurement processes in conjunction with UNOPS team and GDF, including organization of RFQ, ITB or RFP, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their evaluation, negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with UNOPS Procurement rules and regulations. 
• Procurement contracts and contractors optimally managed through supplier and contract performance management against agreed benchmarks and through agreed reporting mechanisms. 
• Implementation of Internal control system.
• Elaboration of comments regarding project audit reports of the Business Units, when necessary.

Knowledge Building and Knowledge sharing:

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives on TB Procurement-related topics.
• Lead and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for procurement personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, procurement practice information and best practice benchmarking.
• Contribute to Procurement knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in procurement management.
• Collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

• An advanced University degree (Master degree) in medicine, pharmacy, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, social sciences and/or related subjects.
• A bachelor’s degree with additional 2 years of experience would be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Desirable: Training in medicines and laboratory commodities procurement, logistics and supply chain management.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in public health sector.
• Solid procurement and supply chain management (PSM) experience related to TB medicines, including forecasting and quantification of anti-TB medicine using QuanTB tool, supply planning, early warning, good storage and distribution practices.
• Experience with pharmaceuticals logistics management information systems.
• Working experience in DR Congo with knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the DR Congo public health system.
• Understanding of Global Fund, USAID and Government of DR Congo procurement processes for pharmaceuticals and health products.

• Excellent knowledge of French with proven ability to communicate (spoken and written) in a clear and concise manner.
• Working knowledge of English (minimum at intermediate level).
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA-10 (ICS-10)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.  

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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.