Senior TB Medicines and Laboratory Commodities Supply Chain Advisor, DOS LEAP Global - Zimbabwe

ZemiTek•Washington, DC

About The Position

Zimbabwe’s TB response relies on uninterrupted availability of quality-assured TB medicines, DRTB, TB preventive therapy (TPT) medicines, and essential laboratory commodities for diagnosis and treatment monitoring. The National TB Programme implements donor- and domestically funded procurement and supply chain mechanisms in collaboration with NatPharm, Provincial Medical Directorates (PMDs), the Directorate of Laboratory Services, and regulatory authorities. To strengthen Pharmaceutical and Supply Management (PSM) systems and laboratory commodities supply chains, the Department of State will second a Senior TB Medicines and Laboratory Commodities Supply Chain Advisor to provide specialized technical assistance to the NTP. The Advisor will support forecasting, quantification, procurement planning, distribution, pharmacovigilance, eLMIS optimisation, LIMS and coordination with partners to ensure continuous access to life-saving TB medicines and diagnostic commodities. The Advisor will support the NTP in carrying out life-saving humanitarian assistance (LHA) service delivery in full alignment with the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives. The Senior TB Medicines and Laboratory Commodities Supply Chain Advisor will provide strategic and operational technical leadership to strengthen end-to-end supply chain management of TB medicines, TPT commodities, and TB laboratory commodities. The Advisor will support national and sub-national systems to ensure availability, quality, rational use, and effective monitoring of TB-related commodities, while supporting grant implementation, donor reporting, and long-term sustainability.

Requirements

University degree in Pharmacy, health logistics and supply chain management or related courses.
At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible, professional experience in supply chain management, logistics or health commodities management, preferably with the USG, and/or other multi-lateral or bi-lateral organizations.
Demonstrated knowledge in developing, implementing and assessing institutional processes and systems
Strong knowledge of the TB program
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Experience in public health commodities procurement and logistics management
Experience in using forecasting/logistic tools such as QuanTB, DOH electronic logistics management information system (eLMIS), and others
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in commodity procurement processes, quality assurance, management, evaluation and risk assessment.
Level IV fluency in both oral and written English is required.
Familiarity with international standards such as ISO warehouse standards and GS1 global standards for supply chain management.
Experience supporting the implementation of electronic inventory management systems and data reporting tools.
Proven ability to build capacity and train government or partner staff in supply chain best practices.

Responsibilities

Provide technical support to the MoHCC and the NTP on TB, DRTB, TPT medicines and laboratory commodities management.
Participate in the selection of TB and laboratory commodities and support updating of national standard treatment guidelines and diagnostic algorithms, including introduction of near point of care tests.
Represent TB medicines and laboratory commodities supply chain issues in relevant technical working groups, steering committees, and partner forums.
Lead and build capacity for national quantification, forecasting, and supply planning of first-line, second line and TPT medicines.
Support forecasting, quantification, and supply planning for TB laboratory commodities, including reagents, cartridges, consumables, and related supplies.
Support provinces and districts to develop costed procurement and supply plans to inform domestic resource mobilisation.
Identify supply risks and develop mitigation strategies to prevent stock-outs and overstocking.
Provide technical input into PSM sections of funding applications and grant processes (Global Fund, USG, GDF, WHO, and other partners).
Coordinate with NatPharm, PMDs, and relevant partners to support procurement and distribution of first- and second-line TB medicines and laboratory commodities.
Coordinate and support external supply chain technical missions (e.g., WHO rGLC, GDF, Global Fund).
Support review, strengthening, and optimisation of pharmaceutical and laboratory commodities distribution systems.
Support timely and efficient distribution of TB medicines and diagnostic commodities to national, provincial, district, and facility levels.
Work with relevant stakeholders to address bottlenecks in last-mile delivery and reverse logistics.
Support the development of a revised model for TB medicines distribution.
Facilitate roll-out, optimisation, and routine use of the electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS) and LIMS- for TB and laboratory commodities.
Strengthen data quality, completeness, and timeliness of logistics reporting at all levels.
Promote routine use of logistics data for forecasting, procurement planning, performance monitoring, and decision-making.
Liaise with the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to ensure procured TB medicines meet national regulatory and quality assurance standards.
Support quality assurance processes for TB laboratory commodities in collaboration with the Directorate of Laboratory Services.
Support rational use of TB medicines and diagnostic commodities at all service delivery levels through appropriate guidelines and supervision.
Coordinate pharmacovigilance activities for TB medicines, including active drug safety monitoring and management (aDSM) for second line and DR-TB medicines.
Support capacity building of health workers on adverse event detection, reporting, and management.
Develop and update training materials on TB medicines and laboratory commodities supply chain management and pharmacovigilance.
Provide capacity building and mentorship to national and sub-national staff on PSM systems, eLMIS use, LIMS, and rational commodity management.
Support integration of supply chain capacity building into routine supportive supervision activities.