Employment opportunities

The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project seeks to fill the position of Forecasting and Supply Planning Manager – Lab to support the GHSC-PSM project in Zambia.

The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project will be the primary vehicle through which USAID will procure and provide health commodities, provide technical assistance to improve partner countries’ management of the supply chain and collaborate with key international stakeholders to support global health initiatives.

With 85+ staff across six offices around the country, this diverse and complex program sets out to strengthen the capacity of GRZ to develop sustainable systems that ensure the availability and security of vital and essential health commodities through (1) increased data availability and use for informed supply chain decision making, (2) improved quantification procurement planning and coordination processes, (3) provision of cost-effective, reliable international and local procurement services, (4) improved efficiency in warehousing and distribution by Zambia Medicines and Medical Supply Agency ( ZAMMSA), and (5) increased strategic management and planning by Ministry of Health for improved commodity security. The project seeks to recruit (on a one-year contract renewable) for the following positions:

Position Title:  Forecasting and Supply Planning Manager – Lab (1 Position)

Reporting To:   Director Forecasting, Supply Planning, and Procurement

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Forecasting and Supply Planning Manager – Lab will lead a team of technical staff to meet project objective focused on strengthening GRZ-led forecasting and supply planning, and stock monitoring activities for HIV/AIDS – Laboratory and HIV test-related commodities.

Specific Tasks

• Develop capacity-building interventions for GRZ and supply chain partners who coordinate to ensure a reliable supply of health commodities for Zambia;
• Manage a team to design and roll out innovations to increase the sustainability of forecasting, quantification, and commodity monitoring activities;
• Work through the team to establish monthly reporting on national supply levels and procurement plans to identify potential supply gaps early and develop responses to mitigate the impact on service delivery;
• Supervise forecasting and supply planning specialists, including developing roles and responsibilities; design and monitor professional development plans, and conduct annual performance appraisals with supervisees;
• Ensure that all contract deliverables are met within areas of forecasting and supply planning;
  Represent the GHSC-PSM project at technical meetings with collaborating partners, senior government officials, and donor agencies;
• Update forecasts and supply plans for all product classes to inform inventory purchasing and manufacturing planning;
• Maintain tight coordination and communication between the FASP, Procurement, and Field Support units;
• Work collaboratively with the partners and the in-country quantification core teams to review country supply plans for all commodities. Recommend adjustments and reach a consensus with in-country program management as needed;
• Work with the Procurement team to ensure that the procurement plans comply with the demand forecast and resolve any discrepancies;
• Develop, maintain, and distribute the biweekly late order report and drive action to resolve outstanding consignments;
• Develop and manage team annual work plans and budgets based on project resources available and intended yearly and life of project targets set according to and USG priorities;
• Exhibit Chemonics values and build a culture of “Living our Values” within the team;
• Verify that USAID regulations, Chemonics policies, and quality management best practices are enforced consistently;
• Carry out additional responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time in consultation with the supervisor of record.

Minimum Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences or supply chain management required;
• Minimum five years of experience working in supply chain management (preferably in public health) with substantive experience in forecasting and quantification, commodity policy, management, and supply chain systems strengthening;
• Thorough knowledge of USAID funding and its contractual and reporting requirements is required; experience working on USAID-funded health programs is strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated skills in relevant forecasting software (Quantification Analytics Tool), or other similar computer software programs, as well as general-purpose software such as Excel, Access, etc;
• Strong leadership and motivational ability;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;
• Written and spoken English proficiency.

Location of Assignment

The location of assignment is Lusaka, Zambia with intermittent travel throughout the country.

To Apply:

Complete the form before COB Friday, July 5, 2024, at 17:00hrs. No telephone inquiries, please.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.

Note that Chemonics International Inc. does not charge recruiting fees to hire staff and that doing so would be a violation of our anti-trafficking plan.