Deputy Country Director – Technical Services

Employment opportunity

The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project seeks a Deputy Country Director 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 100+ staff across eight offices around the country, this diverse and complex program sets out to strengthen capacity of GRZ to develop sustainable systems that ensure 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.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Deputy Country Director of Technical Services (DCD – Technical) in Zambia will support the Country Director (CD) in providing strategic guidance, management, and direction of technical team activities. This includes technical implementation of the overall vision of the project, which enables GHSC-PSM to deliver critical health commodity supply chain technical assistance in country. The DCD – Technical will work with a senior management team to ensure high quality implementation for PSM Zambia to USAID, HQ and external partners, and will directly oversee a subset of technical directorates.

Specific Tasks

Ensure technical implementation and resource management

• Support the CD to drive the technical vision and strategic direction of GHSC-PSM in Zambia, with a focus on technical directorates that directly report to the DCD – Technical,
• Develop annual workplans and technical budgets aimed to improve delivery of health commodity supply chain technical assistance that reflect the priorities of USAID, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders and guide the senior management team (SMT) in effective work plan implementation,
• Develop and implement management systems supporting technical implementation, with a focus on a subset of directorates for which the DCD – Technical will have direct oversight,
• Evaluate technical progress periodically against the work plan. Identify issues and risks related to timely implementation and undertake appropriate interventions to meet work plan objectives and client requests in collaboration with SMT members,
• Engage and collaborate with local stakeholders to build the capacity and sustainability of national systems,
• Support the technical design, development, quality control and completion of deliverables, including quantification reports, project work plans, and monthly and quarterly reports,
• Identify and promote the use of innovations and participate in project and international opportunities that improve supply chain performance,
• Lead preparation for the technical transition of GHSC-PSM to NextGen, the new USAID-funded suite of projects.

Build and maintain relationships

• Serve as a technical liaison with USAID, the Ministry of Health, and stakeholders for supply chain investments and components,
• Represent GHSC-PSM in external for a, including meetings with USAID and GRZ stakeholders,
• Collaborate with local stakeholders to advocate for the harmonization of supply chain technical assistance activities,
• Ensure positive and productive working relations and regular communications are maintained, both within the field office and between the field and home offices.

Provide management and mentorship

• Serve as Acting CD, in the absence of the CD – with a focus on technical implementation,
• Support the CD to identify technical challenges, obstacles, and difficulties affecting project implementation, develop strategies to solve these problems, and work with the SMT and USAID as needed to implement these strategies,
• Enable technical teams to conceptualize and develop important technical documents including concept notes, documentation of lessons learned, and best practices identified during implementation,
• Identify opportunities for the project to share technical knowledge (conferences, workshops, etc.),
• Mentor SMT to ensure continual professional development opportunities that support achievement of overall project goals,
• Build capacity of counterparts in supply chain management and oversight as appropriate,
• Performs other tasks as directed by the PMU Director, or designee.

Minimum Education Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

• Master’s degree in relevant field required (public health, health systems, project management, business administration, or other related field),
• Minimum 12 years of experience with progressive levels of responsibility providing technical assistance for USAID-funded public health supply chain programs. Experience with Chemonics International preferred,
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a director-level position for a USAID-funded program,
• Demonstrated ability to apply supply chain management best practices and innovations to donor-funded programs,
• Demonstrated experience in creating efficiencies and supporting operational transformation in complex public health programs,
• Demonstrated ability in the technical development and progress of strategic work plans,
• Experience working with HIV/AIDS, malaria, family planning (FP), maternal and child health (MCH) and/or reproductive health commodities preferred,
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity,
• Strong writing and editing in English and skills in analysis of data are required; a writing sample in English should be submitted with the application,
• Advanced computer skills, especially in Microsoft Office.

Location of Assignment: Lusaka

To Apply:

Complete the form here no later than COB Wednesday November 23, 2022 at 17 00 hours. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and finalists will be contacted. 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.