National Consultant: Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) Consultant
Organizational Context
The consultant will be based at the Federal Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Lead Executive Office, reporting to the Programme Specialist SRHR at the UNFPA Country Office. UNFPA is the UN agency dedicated to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled, focusing on three transformative results to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence.
Job Purpose
The consultant will provide crucial support to the Federal Ministry of Health in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) activities at the federal level. This role is vital for ensuring the systematic assessment of results and delivering essential technical assistance to strengthen the availability and accessibility of reproductive health commodities. The objective is to contribute to the overall goal of ensuring that essential reproductive health supplies are available when and where they are needed, thereby supporting UNFPA's mandate and the health outcomes of the population.
Responsibilities
The consultant will coordinate joint interventions between UNFPA and the Ministry of Health (MOH), including proposal development, work plan preparation, implementation, and reporting. Responsibilities include strengthening Federal RHCS forums and networks, conducting field visits, participating in review meetings, and preparing status reports with recommendations for corrective actions. The role involves overseeing physical inventory stock counts, logistics indicator assessments, and related surveys, as well as monitoring quarterly reporting of contraceptive stock status. Support will be provided for coordination with other UN agencies, partners, and the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Services (EPSS) in RHCS and supply chain management. Capacity building at the Federal MOH in forecasting, inventory control, storage, and distribution of RH commodities is a key duty. The consultant will also optimize commodity distribution, facilitate information exchange, document lessons learned, and provide technical support for policy and program development in RHCS and supply chain management. This includes regular monitoring missions, technical support for logistics information management, investigating stock-outs, ensuring effective implementation of Last Mile Assurance (LMA) and Supply Chain Assessment and Supportive Supervision (SCAS) tools, and supporting supply chain systems optimization and digitization efforts.
Work Experience
Minimum of two years of experience in RHCS program planning, implementation, and management. Extensive knowledge of commodity logistics, warehouse management, forecasting, and quantification of RH commodities is required. Proficiency in current office software applications is necessary. Familiarity with the Ethiopian Public Health System is a distinct advantage.
Skills
Core competencies include exemplifying integrity, demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, embracing cultural diversity, embracing change, achieving results, being accountable, developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, thinking analytically and strategically, and working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships. Strong teamwork, communication, and analytical skills are essential.