Management Sciences for Health is currently seeking a highly qualified Laboratory Logistics Program Associate (LLPA) for its SCMS Project. MSH is a U.S. based NGO whose mission is saving lives and improving the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. In Vietnam, MSH is the implementing partner for the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) project, which is providing quality medicines for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, under the U.S. President’s Plan for Emergency AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). To learn more about the SCMS project, please visit www.scms.pfscm.org [1]
I. OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Laboratory Logistics Program Associate (LLPA) will support SCMS technical activities in Vietnam geared to assist HIV/AIDS patients. He or she will work under overall supervision of Country Director Vietnam and will be directly reporting to Deputy Director Vietnam to strengthen the laboratory commodity management system in support of the U.S. President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for anti-retroviral therapy (ART) including management of opportunistic infections (OIs) and laboratory supplies. The LLPA will coordinate with key stakeholders, vendors, and with the clinical laboratories for the development, distribution, site-reporting and commodity management systems for laboratory supplies related to care for HIV patients. He or she will also coordinate the importation of PFSCM-procured medical supplies and the in-country distribution of those commodities through the local distribution agent. The PA will serve as a liaison officer to the PFSCM Project Management Office (PMO) units in Washington DC, the Government of Vietnam and other international partners. He or she will collaborate with other SCMS staff ensuring an uninterrupted quality supply and appropriate use of laboratory commodities such as supplies for CD4 machines at targeted program sites.
II. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Be responsible for the selection and procurement of laboratory equipment, including maintenance contracts, as appropriate.
2. Be responsible for placing the orders for laboratory reagents and consumable supplies with PFSCM and follow the importation process to assure timely and problem free deliveries.
3. Monitor the appointed storage and distribution agent to ensure that laboratory reagents and consumables are stored properly in the warehouse, that overstocks and under-stocks are reported, emergency distributions are properly recorded and handled, and that necessary paperwork is properly filed with the Ministry of Health.
4. Coordinate with all relevant parties, especially the PEPFAR partners such as USAID, U.S. CDC, Clinton Foundation Vietnam, Global Fund, to ensure that the procurement (from both international and in-country sources) and delivery process for laboratory supplies operates smoothly and that all parties receive the necessary information in a timely manner.
5. Coordinate with all relevant parties, especially the PEPFAR partners such as USAID, U.S. CDC, Clinton Foundation Vietnam, Global Fund, to ensure that the procurement (from both international and in-country sources) and delivery process for laboratory supplies operates smoothly and that all parties receive the necessary information in a timely manner.
6. Coordinate extensively with the relevant officers at all levels of the Government of Vietnam public health structure, to ensure that they are fully aware of all planned activities, that full opportunity for their active participation and involvement is provided in all activities, and that all the necessary permissions, approvals and authorizations are obtained for all planned activities relating to medicines, laboratory tests and associated supplies. This includes assisting to develop the annual import and distribution plan to be submitted to the appropriate divisions of the Ministry of Health.
7. Be responsible for the development and implementation, including site-level training, of a laboratory logistics system for the routine ordering of equipment, reagents and consumables, as appropriate.
8. Through on-site visits and reviews of site-level reports, monitor the laboratory stock and usage levels at the laboratory sites, and under the supervision of the Deputy Director, prepare regular reports on the stock status and forecast usage scenarios.
9. Provide on-the-job training (OJT) to facility staff at target site laboratories, hospitals and/or health centers in logistics management, adapt the supply and distribution system to the individual conditions of the target site as appropriate; work with facility management structures to adopt and formalize procedures, whenever required.
10. Collaborate with all local stakeholders and implementing partners, especially the Ministry of Health VAAC, WHO, Clinton Foundation, Global Fund, and other U.S. and international implementing partners in order to ensure that all activities conform to the requirements and regulations in force in Vietnam.
11. Be responsible for the planning and delivery of commodity management training programs targeted to pharmaceutical/laboratory commodity management staff in Vietnam.
12. Develop appropriate technical reports and submit to the Deputy Director Vietnam.
13. Visit the laboratories in the system.
14. Availability to travel for up to 1 week per month (25% of time) is required.
15. Perform other duties as assigned.
III. QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor’s Degree or Graduate Degree in Logistics Management, or Biology or other related Laboratory Sciences, or Masters in Public Health with appropriate experience in laboratory quality assurance management or experience in logistics and supply chain management.
2. Minimum of 2 years experience in clinical laboratory services, quality assurance and supply chain management.
3. Experience with laboratory tests, equipment, reagents and techniques required for the diagnosis and monitoring of the following: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, opportunistic infections, sexually transmitted infections.
4. Demonstrated experience working within the public health sector in the management of the procurement and distribution of laboratory supplies and medicines for use in the public health service.
5. Experience and knowledge in the application and management of logistics systems desirable
6. Long-term working resident experience in Vietnam with an understanding of the Vietnam public health system
7. Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a diverse staff, clients and consultants.
8. Fluency in Vietnamese with proficiency in English language, including reading, writing and speaking skills.
9. Computer skills including spreadsheet, word processing, presentation, and electronic mail; Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
10. Ability and willingness to travel extensively (up to 35% of time) in Vietnam.
Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled person.
Note: There are no relocation allowances for this position.
To apply for this position (deadline: 20 October 2010), please send cover letter and CV via email, fax or regular mail to:
MSH SCMS Project – LLPA Position
25 Bui Thi Xuan
Hanoi, Vietnam
Fax: + 84 4 3 945-4563
Or email: [email protected] [2]
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.