In September 2017, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a five-year Health Safe, Affordable, and Effective Medicines (SAFEMed) contract to the Management Sciences for Health (MSH). SAFEMed applies health system-strengthening best practices to create evidence-based interventions and strengthen Ukraine’s pharmaceutical system in line with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) health care reform objectives. SAFEMed seeks to improve access to appropriate, quality medicines to maximize availability within MOH’s budgetary constraints. SAFEMed interventions will institutionalize rational medicine selection, strengthen and systematize public procurement of pharmaceuticals and commodities, support sustainable public sector pharmaceutical financing, and strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine (GOU), the MOH and the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), civil society partners, other implementing partners, and the private sector. By the end of SAFEMed, Ukraine’s pharmaceutical system will be more transparent and cost-efficient and the availability of medicines will increase, thereby supporting the GOU goal of a health care system that produces desired health outcomes.

In pursuit of its goal, SAFEMed has three primary project objectives:

1. Strengthening governance within the pharmaceutical sector of Ukraine;
2. Optimizing the financing of the pharmaceutical sector; and
3. Increasing the availability and appropriate use of medicines in Ukraine.

Currently, developed countries across the world are actively involved in establishing technologies and systems to track individual packs of medicines from manufacturer to consumer. This technology is improving the identification of counterfeit and sub-standard medicines and instances of substitution of the authentic product with a product that is not the same. Countries around Ukraine are adopting such systems to increase supply chain transparency, reduce the risk of counterfeit medicines, and increase quality assurance capability. Ukraine risks being left behind and becoming a destination of choice for non-compliant medicines unless the country adopts similar technologies. In line with the MOH strategy, SAFEMed is providing technical assistance to the MOH to:

 - Understand the environment and technologies around verification (or serialization, as it is also known)

- Develop a national strategy and an implementation plan for adopting such technology in Ukraine moving forward.

 OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The overall objective of the SAFEMed Senior Technical Advisor - Public Procurement position is to:

• Provide technical oversight, management and guidance to KSE, as SAFEMed’s subcontractor
• Offer strategic, technical support to the CPA to achieve its vision, mission and objectives
• Lead SAFEMed’s efforts related to the improvement of the medicines procurement at the regional level.

Based in Kyiv, Ukraine, the SAFEMed Senior Technical Advisor for Public Procurement reports to the Chief-of-Party and will work directly with the CPA, KSE and other regional procurement bodies in the following capacity:

 CPA Capacity Building and oversight of sub-contractors and counterparts (35%)

• Facilitate the finalization of the CPA’s procurement strategy, including transitioning procurement as needed from the international organizations, as well as CPA organization structure, business processes, etc;
• Support the establishment of the business and financial model to achieve CPA sustainability and financial independence;
• Provide ongoing technical support to CPA’s category managers, taking into account budget appropriations and anticipated health care reforms changes;
• Provide ongoing technical support to finalize procurement methods and tools for all central programs;
• Engage with the international organizations to facilitate and further advance skills transfer to the CPA staff;
• Provide additional guidance to CPA in the finalization and documentation of CPA business processes and allocation of responsibilities;
• Work with stakeholders to facilitate the selection and appointment of the CPA Supervisory Board;
• Effectively manage relevant subcontractors and government counterparts, ensure deliverables and commitments are fully met on time.
  

 Support public regional procurement efforts (50%)

• Engage with the pharmaceutical and private logistics sector in Ukraine and internationally as needed;
• Develop a regional approach to procurement strengthening, including leading preparations for regional forums led by CPA and beyond;
• Develop policy directions on core procurement instruments, including framework agreements and suppliers selection;
• Develop and set up innovative medicines procurement mechanisms for the regions based on international best practices, linking and complimenting different procurement approaches to best meet demand of both hospitals and patients.
  

Technical writing (15%)

• Work with the SAFEMed COP on presentations, narrative reports, technical briefs and other materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• 7 - 10 years of professional experience in leading operations, global supply chain, logistic or procurement processes in the pharmaceutical or medical devices industry
• Extensive experience in managing local sub-contractors and counterparts for results
  

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in operations management, supply chain, procurement or equivalent education with applicable experience; Master’s Degree is an advantage
• Desired: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply certification, PMP certification in Project management.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Strategic thinking, strong interpersonal skills including cross-functional teamwork, excellence in execution
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong negotiation and analytical skills
• Solid understanding of procurement best practices
• Knowledge of European procurement and pharmaceutical market is desired
• Solid understanding and experience developing procurement tools such as e-catalogs, framework agreements
  
• Understanding and experience of developing, rolling out and monitoring the implementation of procurement strategies at the central, regional and local level
• Experience of Ukraine and/or NIS countries would be an advantage
• Expertise in procurement capacity assessment and skills building, mentorship
• Fluent in spoken and written English, Ukrainian or Russian language ability preferred but not required
• Strong analytical skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Private sector experience in procurement or pharmaceutical management is a plus 

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Since its founding in 1971, MSH has worked in over 150 countries with policy makers, health professionals, and health care consumers to improve the quality, availability, and affordability of health services. Working with governments, donors, non governmental organizations, the private sector, and health agencies, MSH responds to priority health problems such as HIV & AIDS; tuberculosis; malaria; maternal, newborn and child health; family planning and reproductive health; and chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and lung and heart disease. Through strengthening capacity, investing in health systems innovation, building the evidence base, and advocating for sound public health policy, MSH is committed to making a lasting difference in global health.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.

Chief of Party

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS - 30 August 2019.

The interested candidates are invited to apply for this job online https://jobs-msh.icims.com/jobs/10782/senior-technical-advisor–procurement/job?mode=view or send their CV to [email protected]  with the subject line “Senior Technical Advisor”.