Programme Specialist, Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS)

The Programme Specialist, RHCS, based in Port Vila, Vanuatu, supports reproductive health commodity security across multiple Pacific countries. The role involves technical and coordination responsibilities to ensure reliable access to essential RH commodities, strengthen supply chains, and build sustainable systems under the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Phase III Programme.

Responsibilities

• Build capacity of governments and partners in RH commodities quantification, forecasting, and supply planning including SOP development and implementation.
• Provide technical assistance for development and review of national supply and distribution plans; support annual procurement plan updates.
• Support domestic advocacy for increased government financing for RH commodities.
• Assist Ministries of Health in distribution planning to optimize infrastructure, manage shelf life, and reduce product expiry.
• Oversee implementation and rollout of mSupply and Contraceptive Logistics Management System (CLMS).
• Monitor inventory through physical stock counts, reconciliations, and documentation.
• Coordinate last-mile delivery activities to ensure timely supply of contraceptives and lifesaving medicines to service delivery points.
• Facilitate timely collection and analysis of stock data and submission of quarterly RHCS reports.
• Track procurement and inventory flows between UNFPA and national warehousing systems.
• Support customs clearance, exemption processing, and coordination with port authorities and shipping agents.
• Contribute to development and implementation of work plans in line with UNFPA Supplies Partnership Phase III Programme across 14 PICT countries.
• Provide technical inputs to national RMNCAH and quantification committees; document and follow up on action points.
• Contribute to identification, analysis and synthesis of technical knowledge and evidence-based information in RHCS.
• Organize and participate in meetings and missions to assess progress of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Phase III Program.
• Support assigned country offices to identify opportunities or lessons learned/best practices.
• Consolidate documentation on lessons learned/best practices into UNFPA PSRO knowledge sharing system.
• Gather and compile data/indicators for monitoring and reporting on the UNFPA Supplies partnership program.
• Monitor implementation of activities and expenditure of funds; conduct regular monitoring visits.
• Provide inputs on program activities and results to UNFPA PSRO reports.
• Support finance and audit processes including last mile assurance.
• Generate reports on tracking tools for analysis of clearing and lead time.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in public health, pharmacy, business administration, procurement, supply chain management or related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in reproductive health/family planning or contraceptive logistics management or related field at the national and/or international level.
• Sound knowledge of supply chain management including forecasting, quantification, procurement, warehousing, distribution, inventory management, transportation and logistics information systems.
• General knowledge of integrated sexual and reproductive health and specific experience in family planning programming.
• Familiarity with UN development programmes and UNFPA policies and programming procedures is an asset.
• Proficiency in MS Office Packages, database management and the Internet.
• Experience in mSupply software is desirable.
• Certification in Supply Chain Management or Programme Management is desirable.
• Solid technical writing, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience working with government institutions and donor organizations.
• Familiarity with demographic and health issues in developing countries.
• Willingness and capability to undertake duty travel.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Fluency in English.

Skills

• Reproductive Health Programming
• Family Planning
• Contraceptive Logistics Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Forecasting
• Quantification
• Procurement
• Warehousing and Storage
• Distribution
• Inventory Management
• Transportation
• Logistics Information Systems
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Database Management
• mSupply Software
• Technical Writing
• Presentation Skills
• Interpersonal Communication
• Government Relations
• Donor Coordination
• Demographic and Health Analysis

Languages

English