Background

UNDP is committed to recruiting diverse staff in terms of gender, nationality and culture. We also encourage people from ethnic minorities, indigenous or disabled communities to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNDP does not tolerate exploitation and /or sexual abuse, nor any form of harassment, including sexual harassment, and /or any forms of discrimination. All/the candidates/selected candidates /ees will have to undergo rigorous checks on the references provided and’ their background.

2.     Description of Office/Unit/Project

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations Global Development Network, which advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are present on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and populations to find their own solutions to global and national development challenges to contribute to the’autonomization of lives and the building of resilient nations.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the commitment to leave no one behind reflect the interdependence of health and sustainable development issues such as deepening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the persistent burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis, COVID.19), and, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of threats to human health. The scope and scale of health and wellness delivery for all requires innovative partnerships and funding.

UNDP partnership with the Global Fund (FM), in line with strategy « HIV and health 2022-2025 UNDP : « Connect points », 2022-2025, makes an essential contribution to the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and the commitment to leave no one behind. Upon request, UNDP acts as an interim lead recipient (PR), working with national partners and the Global Fund (FM) to ensure the management of, implementation and supervision of Global Fund grants, including, while simultaneously strengthening health institutions and systems so that national entities assume the role of PR over time. 

UNDP plays an important role in supporting health outcomes by helping countries to tackle the social, cultural and economic determinants of HIV and health, in partnership with United Nations entities and other organizations. This is done through the main work of UNDP to reduce the inequalities and social exclusion that cause HIV and poor health, promote effective and inclusive health governance and build resilient and sustainable health systems. UNDP also contributes, through its coordinating and bringing together role, to bring together multiple partners and resources at the national and local levels.

As a long-term trusted partner of the FM, UNDP’s value proposition is to provide an integrated set of development solutions to strengthen the institutions responsible for delivering health services. Through his contributions as an acting principal recipient (PR) and provider of’ technical assistance in more than 53 countries since 2003, he said, the provision by UNDP of integrated policy support, implementation and capacity development to countries has produced significant health and development results in challenging operational environments. Proactive risk management and investment in sustainability are cornerstones of the UNDP portfolio management approach and delivery of’technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and by building capacity in key functional areas, including financial management, health systems information, procurement management and the’ supply chain. Within the HHD Group, the Global Fund Partnership and Health Systems (GFPHST) team is a dedicated team that provides support to UNDP country offices in the implementation of health and development issues.information on health systems, management of procurement and management of the’ supply chain. Within the HHD Group, the Global Fund Partnership and Health Systems (GFPHST) team is a dedicated team that provides support to UNDP country offices in the implementation of health and development issues.information on health systems, management of procurement and management of the’ supply chain. Within the HHD Group, the Global Fund Partnership and Health Systems (GFPHST) team is a dedicated team that provides support to UNDP country offices in the implementation of health and development issues.

UNDP was identified as an interim PR for the Global Fund-funded HIV and tuberculosis programme in Congo for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026. UNDP will implement the programme in close coordination with national partners, including disease control programmes, CAMEPS purchasing centre, NGOs, etc, technical partners and agencies of the United Nations System. The programme will be managed in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, grant agreements and agreements between UNDP and the FM, in collaboration with national stakeholders, and in close coordination with the FM (including the Fund’s Local Agent), the NCC (National Coordination Mechanism), and, technical partners and UN agencies,the’ Support Team GFPHST and UNDP programme and operations units.

In order to ensure planning, programmatic and operational management and project supervision in order to achieve its goals and objectives, a dedicated ( UGP ) project management unit has been created and will be managed by an International Project Coordinator. A Specialist in Health Product Management is recruited by the UNDP and will work under the supervision of the Purchasing Specialist and the Logistics Chain.

3.     Description of Tasks 

The Health Product Management Specialist will perform the following tasks :

1. Purchases

• Develop the purchasing plan for pharmaceuticals and other medical products and ensure that the deadlines for implementing the purchasing plan are respected ; 
• Assist the purchasing specialist and the logistician in the effective implementation of the purchasing plan for pharmaceuticals and other health products ;
• Maintain regular dialogue with UNDP / Copenhagen focal points

1. Quantification

• Support activities relating to the quantification of health products including laboratory inputs with national actors ;
• Represent UNDP during national quantification exercises and provide the technical support necessary to obtain quality quantification ; 
• Promote the use of recognized quantification tools for laboratory input ( i.e. CV reagent )
• Ensure that quantification exercises are held according to the established schedule, and alert the hierarchy if delays are observed ;
• Convene the members of the quantification committee if an ad ’hoc quantification/monitoring exercise of stocks is to be conducted.

1. Receiving, managing and monitoring stocks

• Supervise the reception of products at central level ;
• Carry out periodic inspections in’ warehousing stores in order to verify that the storage conditions comply with the required standards ;
• Support the preparation of distribution plans and oversee their implementation ;
• Maintain an up-to-date and global vision, through a dashboard, of stock levels and orders at national and peripheral levels to ensure their continuous availability, and, while limiting the risk of expiry
• To ensure cross-analysis between consumption, distribution and patient data and to analyse the differences ; 
• Identify the risks of out of stock and overstock and analyze the reasons for it ;
• Ensure that the quantification committees meet regularly to take stock/l’analysis of stocks, consumption and orders
• Supervises and supervises the preparation of’ inventory reports and the physical control of stocks
• Ensure supervision visits of peripheral pharmacies, health units and laboratories in collaboration with programmes on aspects related to the management of health inputs and propose measures for’ improvement

1. Quality Assurance

• Develop and implement an annual quality assurance plan for pharmaceutical and medical products
• Organize the’samples sampling system for quality control.
• Ensure that the health products to be purchased comply with national directives
• Ensure compliance with the quality assurance policy for pharmaceuticals and other health products of UNDP and the Global Fund
• Assist the Purchasing Specialist in the implementation of the quality assurance plan ;

1. Laboratory

• Support the establishment of an EQA system for the laboratory component and ensure its monitoring ;
• Technically support the development of a maintenance plan for the laboratory equipment required for the implementation of TB and HIV programs and ensure their follow-up ;
• Support the establishment of an efficient sample transport mechanism ;
• Participate in the follow-up with the PMU programmatic colleagues and the national programmes of the’s application of the national guidelines and recommendations of the’OMS in terms of diagnosis and biological monitoring 
• Ensure regular supervision of laboratories

1. Partnerships

• Provide technical assistance to Sub-Recipients and partners in the management of the’ health product supply cycle according to the specificities of each programme ;
• Provide ongoing technical support so that the country can have access to the most optimal formulations and technologies in accordance with the recommendations of’OMS ;
• Supervise and validate the service delivery activities of the national’acquisition power plant for essential medicines for the’ storage and distribution of products supplied to the country as part of Global Fund grants ;
• Ensure that payment from providers is made on time ; 
• Work closely with CAMEPS, peripheral pharmacies and other technicians of technical and financial partners involved in the’ supply chain of health products in the country ;
• Work closely with partners on strengthening laboratories and performance of the’ input supply chain ;
• Support the design/development of’ interventions for strengthening the’ supply chain led by UNDP (i.e. Distribution, storage and SIGL)
• Support the design/development of’interventions for strengthening the laboratory 
• Develop terms of reference for international or national technical assistance in MSP .

The incumbent performs any other duties as part of his or her functional profile, if deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the project.

4.      Institutional Arrangement

The/the Health Product Management Specialist will work under the supervision of the Purchasing Specialist and the Logistics Chain.

5. Skills

6.     Minimum Qualifications of the NPSA Successful 

The following documents will be required from applicants : 

1. Non-national applicants: please attach to your application any document relating to your residence permit and/or work permit ;
2. To all Candidates: please attach to your application copies of your diplomas and certifications.

Legal notices
Female applications are strongly encouraged.

Important information for candidates

All positions in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.

Information for candidates about the « Roster » from UNDP

Note : UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider applicants applying for this position for other similar positions within UNDP, at the same hierarchical level and with a job description, as appropriate, similar experience and educational requirements.

Diversity of the workforce
UNDP is committed to ensuring diversity among its staff and encourages all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, their culture, religion and ethnic origin, to be applied. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We strongly encourage female applications.

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