About Partners In Health/APZU

In January 2007, at the invitation of the Clinton-Hunter Development Initiative, Partners in Health (PIH) launched a third project in Africa in Malawi, following previous projects in Lesotho and Rwanda. Through the Clinton Foundation, the Ministry of Health (MOH) directed PIH to Neno. We began working – as we do in our other programs – to strengthen and expand the facilities and human resources of the MOH and to develop the primary health care system for the region.  The availability of HIV care and treatment expanded considerably during this time once PIH arrived, increasing from one clinic serving just over 100 people, to eight clinic sites serving over 3,000 today.

PIH now provides support to Neno District Hospital and the recently completed Lisungwi Community Hospital, and to 11 other health centers in the district: Magaleta, Matope, Chifunga, Nsambe, Neno Parish, Matandani, Ligowe, Luwani, Mizemba, Zalewa, and Nkula.  We directly employ 250 people, and provide salary top ups to another 300 MOH clinicians, nurses, technicians, and support staff.  Our community health workers number more than 670.

 

Position Overview

 

The Procurement & Logistics Coordinator will work with the local Malawi team to implement systems to ensure a transparent and efficient procurement system for APZU.  S/he will work closely with the APZU administrative team to prepare drug, equipment, and supply orders, monitor spending, and ensure overall compliance with inventory and purchasing policies. S/he will provide assistance to the Ministry of Health in their allocation and distribution of pharmaceutical commodities. This position will play an important role in supporting procurement activities in Malawi as well as related stock management activities.

 

Responsibilities

 

  • Coordinate local purchasing and procurement procedures, including drug and medical supplies, ensuring selection of quality suppliers, price comparisons, and consumption analyses
  • Oversee tending processes for domestic and purchases of supplies for the organization
  • Work with relevant departments to make projections and source international bulk purchases of office supplies, vehicle parts, cleaning supplies, drugs and medical supplies, and other items
  • Improve stock management systems to track consumption of medications, consumables and other products; develop systems for accurate forecasting and supply chain management
  • Improve and implement quality improvement measures to enhance pharmaceutical supply chain management
  • Document the organization’s procurement policies and procedures, and update manuals as policies are modified over time.
  • Assist with customs and MRA clearance for shipments into Malawi
  • Production of monthly and quarterly procurement reports

 

Desired Skills and Experience

 

The ideal candidate for this position will have a background in program coordination, pharmacy, logistics or finance, and/or 1-2 years of related experience. S/he will be very flexible, have the ability to take initiative, adapt to a fast-paced work environment, and prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

 

Living Conditions

 

Fellows will be provided a room in a modest staff guesthouse in Neno. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of $650 per month in addition to flights to and from the fellowship and a $1,500 completion award. Health insurance is provided.