The South African National Aids Council (SANAC) leads South Africa’s response to the national HIV and AIDS, TB & STIs epidemics. SANAC is building a dynamic team that can facilitate its effective leadership of the national response.
Name of Position : Health Products Grant Specialist
Reporting to : Technical Support Unit Lead
Location : SANAC Head Office, Pretoria
Grading : D3
Duration : 7 months (Renewable for the next 3 years)
Advert Date : 26 July 2021
Purpose of the job
The incumbent will assume responsibility to ensure establishment and management of health product procurement of organisations funded by the Global Fund (GF). This includes the provision of technical guidance and support to the GF Principal recipients (PRs) to ensure quality and value for money for all goods and services procured under the GF Grant, to enhance their procurement activities/systems and to serve as an independent observer / chair on major procurement activities undertaken by PRs.
The incumbent will further assist with quantification required for various Funding Proposals and other SANAC applications and assist the South African Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), its substructures to provide efficient management of grants and the provision of adequate technical expertise for complex and strategic matters and support to analyze risks and propose solutions for the efficient implementation of pharmaceutical management for health products by implementers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide ongoing technical guidance and capacity development to Principal Recipients and Sub-Recipients regarding all aspects of the HPM and SCM processes and systems.
- Proposing innovative and constructive solutions to operational challenges and way forward (updated policies, tools, guidance, specific approach to PRs and SRs).
- Pro-actively identifying ways to streamline processes to improve access to health products and facilitate timely start-up of grants and supporting grant implementation through training and other capacity building initiatives.
- Validating the PSM arrangements and the supply plans, including forecasting and related budget for health products and provide appropriate mitigation measures to address gaps/challenges, including short-term and longer-term solutions and recommendations for pharmaceutical systems strengthening investment.
- Where indicated, Chair or Oversee joint PR procurement processes
- Provide guidance to PRs and other Implementers for the disposal and quality assurance of health products
- Identify key risks related to HPM arrangements and ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are in place for the effective and efficient implementation of activities related to the management of health products and improvement of systems to prevent service disruption and poor quality of services, use of substandard health products, and ensure effective use of grant funds.
- Assist the CCM Oversight Committee in monitoring of health products and commodities for the Grant.
- Visit implementers in districts, assess quality of procurement systems, standard operating procedures, and ensure there is an overall improvement in procurement and supply chain systems.
- Ensuring adherence to the GF policies and reviewing instances of non-compliance and proposing remedial actions.
- Ensure assessment on value for money on procurement and selection of service providers for health products and commodities.
- Ensure the development of well costed Grant applications and quantification of procurement activities for Grant applications
Qualification, Skills and Experience
- Advanced university degree in pharmacy or public health. A financial / project management or Postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience working in pharmaceutical management, procurement, and supply-chain management of health products at international level, including in developing countries, including:
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in managing complex PSM situations, managing/mitigating risks related to health products at country, regional or international level.
- Experience in developing PSM related policies, operational tools, and guidance.
- Experience in developing partnerships on health product selection, uptake of new technologies, procurement, and supply management matters at country, regional or international level.
- Proven track record in leading work streams or teams in multi-cultural environments.
- Prior experience relating to the procurement of Health Products, goods, and services within an NGO environment and/or knowledge of Government procurement systems.
- Experience in both demand and supply side activities related to pharmaceutical management and related to AIDS, TB and/or malaria.
- Good understanding of health system operations and legal matters that govern pharmaceutical sector (regulation of pharmaceutical/health products, legal framework on which medical stores operate, flow of funds in health sector, policy decision making structures)
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the complexity of procurement and supply chain management models for health products including demand projections and supply delivery mechanisms/models.
- Knowledge of processes for developing and implementing HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs in South Africa, including TB.
- Experience of proactively identifying risk, addressing issues, and appropriately communicating these to the Technical Support Unit Lead, Global Fund Country Team, Country Coordinating Mechanism and Global Fund Principal Recipients.
- Ability to travel within the country or region and internationally if needed.
Applications should be emailed to hr@sanac.org.za. Kindly indicate the name of the position on the subject line of the email. Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late or faxed will not be considered.
Closing date: Close of Business: 20 August 2021 (17:00)
Note that correspondence will only be conducted with the short-listed candidates. If you have not been contacted within two (2) months of the closing date of the advertisement, please consider your application as unsuccessful.
SANAC gives preference to South African candidates who meet the job requirement and who will add to the culture and gender diversity of the organization. Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check(s) (citizenship, credit record checks, security clearance, security vetting, qualification verification and employment verification).
SANAC reserves the right at any time to withdraw or alter this advertised position.