John Snow, Inc. (JSI) Recruits Director of Procurement

John Snow, Inc. (JSI) is a US based international Public Health consulting firm and manages two (2) projects/contracts through its integrated office in Abuja, Nigeria. Through the Partnership for Supply Chain Management consortium, JSI implements the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) project for the US Government as part of the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The purpose is to establish and operate a safe, secure, reliable and sustainable supply chain management system to procure pharmaceuticals and other products needed for the care and treatment of persons with H IV/AIDS and related infections. JSI implements the USAID DELIVER Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a global technical assistance project aimed at increasing the availability of essential health supplies through procurement services and assistance designed to strengthen health commodity supply chains in developing countries.

To support the implementation of the health supply chain project in Nigeria, JSI is seeking qualified candidates for the vacant position:

Job Title: Director of Procurement

Job Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Job Description
JSI's integrated field office in Nigeria manages operations for the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) Project, USAID | DELIVER PROJECT and a flexible number of smaller grants or contracts for related activities under JSI’s Center for Health Logistics. The office also provides procurement and supply management support for the Global Fund, the Government of Nigeria HIV/AID commodity management and for products supplied by CHAI.

JSI is a partner in the Partnership for Supply Chain Management. PFSCM is implementing the SCMS contract for USAID as part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. SCMS endeavors to strengthen or establish secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable supply chains capable of meeting the care and treatment needs of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

The USAID | DELIVER PROJECT improves health outcomes in developing countries by increasing the availability of health supplies. Using best practices and innovative approaches, the project develops and implements robust logistics solutions, fosters supportive commodity security environments, procures and ships health commodities, and partners with local organizations to build sustainable capacity.

The Director of Procurement directs and manages the Procurement Department of the JSI Nigeria Integrated Supply Chain Field Office (FO) that implements the SCMS Project funded by PEPFAR and the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT funded by USAID. The Procurement Department, presently consisting of 9 staff not including the Director, 1) assists the pooled procurement and delivery of ARVs, rapid test kits and other commodities, and assists and implements the storage and distribution of these commodities; and 2) organizes and implements directly the procurement and delivery of other commodities and products. The Director is responsible for assuring that these tasks are performed with the highest possible quality, in timely fashion, and cost effectively.

Responsibilities

• The Director of Procurement provides strategic guidance and technical assistance concerning all aspects of commodity procurement, delivery, storage and distribution to: a) the Country Director (CD) and members of the FO senior management team; b) PEPFAR and USAID; c) officials and departments in the Government of Nigeria and state governments; d) implementing partner organizations; and e) international and national stakeholders concerned with the integrity and performance of health commodity supply systems.
• The Director of Procurement reports directly to the CD and is a member of the FO senior management team. The Director of Procurement, together with other senior managers, ensures that staff comply with applicable US Government rules and regulations; and that staff observe and maintain the highest standards of honesty, personal integrity, and professionalism.

The Director shall:

• Organize, lead and manage the FO Procurement Dept, assisted by the Associate Director, in order to perform activities and tasks provided for in the SCMS and USAID | DELIVER PROJECT workplans, including procurements related to the operation of the integrated office and/or directed by the CD; and in full accordance with policies and procedures contained in the JSI FO Manual and decisions and policies determined by the FO senior management team
• Manage, mentor, and periodically evaluate the performance of individual Procurement Dept staff
• Inform, coordinate, execute, and monitor procurements funded under the SCMS and USAID | DELIVER PROJECT; and oversee the preparation of weekly status reports and their provision to stakeholders
• With Procurement Dept staff, provide procurement support and guidance for procurements funded by the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT
• Provide procurement advice, guidance and monitoring support to procurements undertaken by the FO as part of its day to day operations
• In collaboration with stakeholders, monitor the performance and effectiveness of all aspects of the supply chain for project commodities and advise stakeholders on issues where performance may be affected
• With other staff and stakeholders, assist the preparation of longterm forecasts and detailed supply plans needed to meet those requirements; and continuously monitor the execution of the supply plans and advise staff and USAID of problems or when changes are warranted
• Support the DCOPs and Associate Director in coordinating with donor organizations and stakeholders to ensure rational and timely procurement of commodities
• Maintain close working relations with PEPFAR-supported Implementing Partners; and with other organizations, agencies, partners and stakeholders
• Identify capacity building needs of procurement unit staff and of partner organizations; and assist and oversee the development and implementation of plans and activities to meet those needs
• Advise the CD and DCOPs on requirements for technical assistance from USAID | DELIVER PROJECT and SCMS-Washington and/or other sources; and ensure the preparation of documents needed for the realization of such assistance
• With the Procurement Dept and other FO staff, ensure full compliance with all US Gov and USAID rules and regulations, as well as project regulations and SOPs
• In collaboration with local and international vendors, assure the quality of all procured products and their timely delivery, in accordance with established international and project standards
• Support port clearance for malaria activities
• Work with staff to provide TA for procurement related capacity building activities
• Oversee the provision of procurement services for non-PEPFAR- and non-USAID supported requirements
• Contribute to the preparation of, and assure the quality and timely completion of, regular and one-off project and technical reports and studies as directed by USAID or the CD and/or DCOPs
• Perform other duties as directed by the CD or his/her designated deputies

Qualifications

• At least ten years’ experience executing and/or managing commodity procurements funded by international donors, including at least four years’ experience managing procurements of health-related commodities
• At least five years’ personnel management experience
• A post-baccalaureate degree in logistics, management, public health, business or other related area; or a minimum of ten years’ experience in procurement or other supply-chain related activities
• Previous experience supporting national government health-related programs in a low or moderate income environment
• Fluency in English
• Excellent writing and oral presentation skills
• Demonstrated facility with Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Project and Power Point
• Proven ability to work both independently with little supervision, as well as part of a team
• Proven, successful experience communicating and collaborating effectively with national and sub-national governments, international donors, commercial companies, non-governmental organizations, and other program partners
• Experience with USAID health programs is a strong plus
• Previous experience in Nigeria also is a strong plus, although not essential
• Good knowledge of and previous experience using PipeLine and Quantimed software is a strong plus
• Limited domestic and international travel

Remuneration

• Salary commensurate with experience.

Mode of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should
Click here to apply online


Application Deadline: 5th November, 2013