Senior Advisor – Pharmaceutical Supply Chain and Pharmacy Services

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB:     

The Senior Advisor will provide high-level strategic, technical, coordination, and implementation support to the Ministry of Health to strengthen pharmaceutical supply chain, pharmacy services and regulatory systems in Ethiopia. The position is intended to support the effective rollout and institutionalization of the maturity-based performance improvement approach across national and sub-national levels; ensure the functionality and effectiveness of supply chain coordination platforms, including those supporting emergency supply chain management; facilitate coordinated implementation of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) across the Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service, Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority, Regional Health Bureaus, and health facilities, including emergency preparedness and response from a supply chain perspective; strengthen national leadership, accountability, and performance tracking mechanisms; and support effective implementation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States Government and the Government of Ethiopia on supply chain and regulatory system strengthening.                                                       

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under supervision of the Deputy Chief of Party of the USG SCS Project and working under MOH’s State Minister’s Office, the Senior Advisor will carry out the following responsibilities:

• Serve as a Senior Advisor to the State Minister’s Office on all matters related to maturity-based pharmaceutical supply chain management, including emergency response, regulatory, and pharmacy service initiatives.
• Provide technical support in translating findings of the National Supply Chain and Pharmacy Service Maturity Assessment (NSCPSA) into strategic priorities, policy directions, and actionable interventions across supply chain entities.
• Provide technical input for the development and revision of policies, strategies, guidelines, and other frameworks related to pharmaceutical supply chain and pharmacy services.
• Support alignment of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) with national strategies and sector priorities, including the Health Sector Development and Investment Plan and the Pharmaceuticals Sector Development Investment Plan.
• Provide technical support on implementation of the MOU and implementation plan signed between the Government of Ethiopia and partners, ensuring interventions address gaps identified through maturity assessments.
• Support integration of PIP interventions into routine government planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting systems to promote sustainability and institutionalization.
• Ensure harmonized implementation of maturity-based interventions across federal, regional, and health facility levels.
• Support the effective functioning of the Maturity Coordination Platform by facilitating agenda preparation, development of briefing materials and decision notes, documentation of decisions, and tracking follow-up actions.
• Strengthen the Maturity Technical Working Group (TWG) through support for planning, coordination, execution of activities, and communication between the TWG and the Coordination Platform.
• Enhance coordination and collaboration among MoH, EPSS, RHBs, development partners, and other stakeholders on pharmaceutical supply chain and pharmacy service initiatives, including emergency supply chain management.
• Identify systemic bottlenecks affecting supply chain and pharmacy service performance and facilitate timely escalation and resolution through appropriate governance mechanisms.
• Build technical and managerial capacity of PMD LEO, EPSS, RHBs, and other relevant units to strengthen ownership and leadership of maturity implementation.
• Support institutionalization of the maturity-based performance improvement approach by embedding it into routine systems and processes, integrating maturity indicators into national frameworks, and strengthening a culture of data use for decision-making.
• Facilitate peer learning, experience sharing, and cross-learning platforms across regions and health facilities to accelerate adoption of best practices.
• Provide technical support for regular supply chain performance audits and ensure timely action based on the findings.
• Support alignment of partner interventions with national priorities and facilitate stakeholder coordination to avoid duplication and fragmentation of efforts.
• support effective implementation of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States Government and the Government of Ethiopia on supply chain and regulatory system strengthening.                                                      
• Contribute to advocacy and resource mobilization efforts to sustain and scale-up maturity-based performance improvement initiatives at all levels.
• Strengthen national systems for monitoring maturity progression and PIP implementation, including development and use of performance tracking tools.
• Ensure the availability, quality, analysis, and effective use of pharmaceutical supply chain and pharmacy service data for evidence-based decision-making.
• Support quarterly and annual performance review processes to monitor progress and inform corrective actions.
• Provide technical support on the documentation and dissemination of best practices, lessons learned, innovations, and success stories to inform policy and program improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION:

Advanced degree in Pharmacy, Public Health, Supply Chain Management, Health Systems Management or related field

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:        

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in pharmaceutical supply chain, Pharmacy service, and health systems strengthening is required. 10 years of progressively responsible experience is preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience in national-level program coordination and advisory roles;
• Proven experience working with government institutions and senior leadership in the health sector as well as US Government funded projects/initiatives;
• Meaningful engagement in the National baseline Supply Chain and Pharmacy Service Maturity Assessment (NSCPSA) and in the development of performance improvement plans at national and/or subnational levels
• Experience in designing and implementing evidence-based performance improvement interventions in the areas of pharmaceutical supply chain and pharmacy service

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:    

• Knowledge of the health and pharmaceutical sector in Ethiopia and the maturity-based performance improvement initiative;
• Strong understanding of end-to-end pharmaceutical supply chain and pharmacy service systems and recent initiatives being implemented in the country
• Excellent leadership and strategic thinking skills
• Strong facilitation, coordination, and stakeholder engagement capacity
• High-level communication and report writing skills in English Language
• Ability to work effectively in complex, multi-partner environments
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Skill on monitoring, evaluation, data analytics and use of data for decision-making
• Cogent understanding and application of concepts and procedures in own area team or sub-function.
• Broader knowledge is required in other areas in context to how they sit within the organization as a whole and how they relate to the area.
• Professional knowledge is gained through substantial applicable work experience in order to apply principles and resolve issues.

COMPETENCIES:      

• Results seeker – Proactive, meets deadlines, identifies actions, and achieves goals.
• Innovator – thinks creatively, anticipates changes, and produces solutions.
• Adaptor – stays calm under pressure and handles constructive criticism well.
• Complier – follows procedures and encourages others to do as well.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. MSH complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, and all related applicable regulations.

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