The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project seeks to fill the position of Forecasting and Supply Planning Officer TO3-4 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 the 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 Officer TO3-4

Reporting To:       Forecasting and Quantification Specialist

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
The Forecasting and Quantification Officer will work with the Forecasting and Quantification Specialist to meet project objectives focused on strengthening forecasting and quantification which should be led by the GRZ, procurement planning, and stock monitoring activities. The Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that commodities procured centrally for reproductive health and MNCH national programs using Pipeline software are available by way of checking on the consumption trends.

Specific Tasks
Technical Implementation

• Support team to meet project objectives focused on strengthening GRZ-led forecasting and quantification, procurement planning, and stock monitoring activities;
• Monitor and ensure availability of commodities that are procured centrally for reproductive health, Maternal Neonatal, and Child Health (NMCH using Pipeline software);
• Hold regular partner coordination meetings to ensure procurements and shipments are well-coordinated and stock-outs are prevented;
• Monitor various consumption patterns and take corrective steps in forecasting on a periodic basis;
• Prepare and ensure the availability of quantification reports for all commodities for approval by the Ministry of Health;
• Support the development of and implement capacity-building interventions for GRZ and supply chain partners who coordinate to ensure a reliable supply of health commodities for Zambia;
• Design and roll out innovations to increase the sustainability of forecasting, quantification, and commodity monitoring activities;
• Provide senior management with 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;
• Submit quarterly supply plans and reports to GHSC-PSM headquarters and other stakeholders;
• Ensure all contract deliverables meet within areas of forecasting and quantification;

Minimum Education Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies

• A diploma in a health-related field is required; a degree will be an advantage;
• Minimum four (4) years of experience working in supply chain management and conducting forecasting and quantification activities;
• Thorough knowledge of USAID funding and its contractual and reporting requirements is required; experience working on USAID-funded health programs is strongly preferred;
• Strong leadership and motivational ability;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;

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