University of Professional Studies

The Local Fund Agent (LFA) is a crucial part of the Global Fund's system of oversight and risk management. Its mainrole is to provide informed and independent professional advice about the capacity of Principal Recipients (PR) to manage the implementation of activities funded under grants (including a PR’s capacity to oversee implementation of activities by Sub-Recipients), to make recommendations concerning periodic disbursement of grant funds, to review grant performance when a grant is being considered for renewal, and to provide the Global Fund  Secretariat on an ongoing basis with relevant information on issues or risks which might affect grant performance.

The LFA is expected to have an up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of the diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), how they are prevented, transmitted and treated and their impact on the country. The LFA assesses the PR’s institutional and health/programmatic capacities and arrangements to ensure adequate health expertise (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and/or malaria) in the implementation of the Global Fund grants. The LFA also determines whether the PR has adequate infrastructure and information systems to support grant implementation, including the monitoring of performance of Sub-Recipients (SRs) and outsourced entities in a timely and accountable manner.

Under the direct supervision of the UNOPS Ghana LFA Team Leader, the Senior Procurement/Supply Management Expert (PSM Expert) will be based in Accra and be responsible for the procurement and supply management technical area for the Yemen LFA Team and for ensuring that all LFA work is of high quality and completed within the timeframe set by the Global Fund.


IMPORTANT: ONLY APPLICANTS WITH THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK IN GHANA ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UNOPS LFA Team Leader, the incumbent is required to perform UNOPS LFA Procurement/Supply Management oversight activities in Ghana by carrying out the following activities:

·        Review the performance of the procurement work plan and assess its efficiency and effectiveness, identify its weaknesses and success and make recommendations for necessary follow up by the PR;

·        Review the resources allocation plan (funds and personnel), assessment of targets and achievement, storage and delivery aspects and its implementation, identify weakness and success relating to procurement and make recommendations for necessary follow up by the PR;

·        Identify any issues relating to program implementation that requires PR follow up or improvement;

·        Discuss with the Country Team Leader any other procurement related matters (health and non-health items) to be reviewed and take action;

·        Prepare reports on the format required by Global Fund for this purpose and submit to the Country Team Leader;

·        Provide feedback to any question raised on the report by Global Fund.                                                                                                                

·        Identify risks which may lead to diversion of health and non health products/frauds

·        Identify if the products under the grant are used for the purpose for which they were procured

·        Conduct desk review and physical verification of goods procured under the grant.

·        Verify that all the procurements have been made in line with Global Fund Quality Assurance policies.

·        Identify overstocking /under stocking situations in the supply chain which may  lead to unwarranted expiration/out of stock situation

·        Assess that the procurements have been carried out in transparent manner using competitive procedures in line with Global Fund and National guidelines/regulations and bring adequate value for money

• Carry out Price Quality Reporting (PQR) auditing for all covered Pharmaceuticals and health products.

On-site and off-site assessments following the GF framework, by using the forms, checklists and questionnaires provided by GF as guides or tools.  The assessments will focus mainly on the following aspects:
1.    Using the GF’s framework approach, the consultant will conduct assessments and prepare reports to address the PR’s required minimum capacities, identify and advise on key capacity-building requirements.
2.     To identify whether the PR is able to co-ordinate and/or otherwise manage Pharmaceutical and Health Products Management systems which can:
a)    Collect, record and report programmatic data with appropriate quality control measures
b)    Support the preparation of regular, reliable programmatic reports;
c)    Make data available for the purpose of evaluations and other studies: and
d)    Identify key weaknesses and risks of capacities on the PR and provide specific recommendations for strengthening and level of enforcement

3.    Review and clearance of the PR’s PSM plan using the template for assessment and advise whether the PR meets the required minimum capacities for implementing Global Fund programme as listed in Procurement and Supply Monitoring assessment guidelines and framework.  This will include compiling information on supply procurement and distribution system from various documents, discussing with the PR and visiting various offices located country.

Perform other related duties as required. 

Competencies

Decision making.

Ability to analyse.

Organizing and quality orientation.

Communication skills.

Client focus.         

Skills

The incumbent must be an expert in PSM and be familiar with government PSM practices and best practices in international Procurement & Supplies Monitoring management.  The consultant should have hands-on-experience with the Procurement & Supplies Monitoring of health projects. Specifically, the Consultant should have expertise in:Supply and demand issues in the implementation of public health Programmes

·        Experience in assessing policies, systems and structures in the public and/or private health sector that are relevant for managing effective and efficient access to pharmaceuticals and other health products, particularly for AIDS, TB and focusing on identifying relevant strengths and weaknesses and on developing action oriented recommendations

·        A strong understanding of AIDS, TB and Malaria market dynamics and existing global supply challenges as well as international health products procurement and supply management processes, applicable national and international laws and recognized standards

·        Excellent communication skills with fluency in English (both written and spoken) are essential

·        Knowledge of the local language a distinct advantage.

• Must be a team player, flexible, well organized and an efficient time manager. 

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: Local Specialist Level 7
Contract duration: 1 year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 
 

Additional Considerations

Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)

·        Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

·        Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.

·        Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Education

Master's degree in pharmacy-related field, complemented by education and/or professional training/experience in health management, logistics and public health.  A pharmacy-related bachelor's degree will be considered with two additional years of relevant experience in health management, logistics and public health.

Certifications

Professional training in procurement and supply chain management of health products, logistics and/or public health is desired.

Languages

Fluent English required

At least 7 years of experience in managing or advising on the procurement, distribution and supply of health products, particularly in developing countries with expertise in:
1) supply and demand issues in the implementation of public health programs,
2) experience in assessing policies, systems and structures in the public and/or private health sector that are relevant for managing effective and efficient access to pharmaceuticals, and other health products, particularly for AIDS, TB and malaria focusing on identifying relevant strengths and weaknesses and on developing action oriented recommendations,
3) a strong understanding of AIDS, TB and malaria market dynamics and existing global supply challenges as well as international health products procurement and supply management processes, applicable national and international laws and recognized standards,
4) experience in quantification and forecasting of health products needs in public health programs and,
5) good writing and analytical skills.

Apply now