I. Introduction
Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) is an indigenous non-profit organization dedicated to catalyzing positive transformations in health, social, and economic domains. We strive to uplift disadvantaged and underserved communities through effective program design and implementation, capacity building, research in implementation science, knowledge generation, and stakeholder engagement across various human development sectors. Our initiatives extend beyond Nigeria, as we are actively broadening our impact across several West and Central African nations.
In partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Solina aims to strengthen the management of the supply chain for vaccines (and other PHC commodities) improving the efficiency of last-mile delivery and availability of vaccines and other PHC commodities. We are collaborating closely with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), providing direct and targeted Technical Assistance (TA) to the National Logistics Working Group (NLWG) for the management and coordination of supply chain systems in the country, ensuring vaccines and other PHC are available at the last mile for delivery of services
Specifically, our efforts will be focused on supporting the NPHCDA with identifying problem areas in the current vaccine supply systems and infrastructure, developing solutions supporting (SPARK) states with domestication and implementation of the solutions, developing tools to ease the logistics processes and ensuring effective stakeholder engagement
Our project will achieve this by providing dedicated TA support at the national level. This support is channelled through direct assistance to the NPHCDA’s Department of Logistics and Health Commodities and the NLWG Technical Working Group.
II. Description and Objectives
The Consultant will provide technical assistance to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency in implementing a variety of tasks to promote efficiencies in vaccine and PHC commodity supply chain management. The consultant will also be responsible for ensuring the domestication of innovative supply chain interventions across the states and sending feedback back to the national team.
Technical Responsibilities
Project strategy implementation/technical assistance
- Provide technical expertise and guidance to the NLWG in the design, implementation, and monitoring of supply chain optimization activities;
- Support in planning and coordinating with national and state-level stakeholders to plan and execute innovative solutions to improve supply chain inefficiencies;
- Facilitate capacity-building activities, workshops, and training for TWG members and relevant stakeholders on vaccine and PHC commodity supply chain innovations;
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of supply chain interventions on the availability of vaccines and other PHC commodities at the last mile;
- Collaborate with development partners and other stakeholders to leverage resources and expertise for effective implementation of supply chain activities;
- Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, best practices, and success stories related to supply chain optimization efforts;
Other responsibilities
- Participate in problem-solving and learning sessions to share knowledge, best practices, challenges and progress on program implementation;
- Provide daily updates on implementation activities to the project manager;
- Engage actively with relevant stakeholders to foster good relationships with the organization;
- Support any other tasks as may be required by the central Project management team.
Expected deliverables
- Identify and map priority stakeholders for targeted advocacy and engagement through a defined strategy;
- Develop, and test revised supply chain innovations as required;
- Ensure linkage between supply chain innovations on SPARK and the NLWG;
- Weekly program updates summarizing the status of activities and key next steps;
- Bi-monthly progress reports detailing the status, outcomes and next steps of strategies deployed in collaboration with SPHCDA;
III. Education and Experience
- Undergraduate or Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science, Medicine, or other related fields;
- 5+ years’ experience working in the development or consulting sector;
- Experience in logistics management, health data collection, and design for health programs/interventions or other development sector programs in local communities is desirable;
- Experience in leadership roles including management and/or interfacing with high-ranking officials is desirable;
- Experience working with/as part of government systems is advantageous.
IV. Competencies required
- Computer literacy and competency using the MS suite of programs;
- Fluency in spoken and written English;
- Fluency in the local dialects of the geographic region is an added advantage;
- Excellent report-writing skills;
- Ability to perform multiple tasks, and adjust work pace and direction to emerging realities;
- Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain positive working relationships;
- Resourceful in resolving problems and initiating solutions.
