CROWN AGENTS USA HAS VACANCIES FOR AFRICANS

Crown Agents USA, Inc. seeks a Country Director for our Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) Project in Windhoek, Namibia.

Our Business
Crown Agents USA, Inc. (CA-USA) is a U.S. incorporated international development company providing direct services, technical assistance and training to improve governance and economic growth.CA-USA is part of the Crown Agents international group, which works for the public and private sectors in more than 100 countries, as well as for international donors and development institutions. Crown Agents has a core staff of over 1000 employees in more than 35 countries.

The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PSCM) is implementing the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) contract for USAID as part of the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). SCMS is tasked with strengthening or establishing secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable supply chains capable of meeting the care and treatment needs of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. In coordination with in-country and international partners, SCMS will: assist programs to enhance their supply-chain capacity; ensure that accurate supply-chain information is collected, shared, and used; and provide quality, affordable, health care products to those who need them. SCMS will offer services in focus countries identified by the USG team, with SCMS field offices established in selected countries as required by the scope of work in the country.

Roles & Responsibilities
The Country Director has overall responsibility for planning and coordination of all SCMS activities and personnel in Namibia. S/he represents the SCMS project to US Government agencies, Ministries of Health, and cooperating agencies as well as promotes collaboration and best practices in the forecasting, procurement, storage, distribution, and information management of ARVs and related HIV/AIDS commodities. Responsibilities include the development of technical strategies and work plans and the organization and provision of in-country technical assistance, as well as ensure that the field office follows standard SCMS and Crown Agency USA, Inc. (CA-USA) administrative, financial, and human resources procedures and practices. Moreover, s/he has first-line SCMS supervisory responsibility for the resident staff implementing SCMS activities in Namibia and is responsible for maintaining effective communication with the SCMS Project Management Office (PMO), the US Government Team, public, private, and FBO/NGO sector implementing programs, other USG cooperating agencies, and other members of the donor community. The Country Director is also responsible for following corporate policies and procedures and adhering to standards of CA-USA.

Specific Responsibilities
Supply Chain Management and Support

Working closely with CA-USA and the PMO, organize, staff, and manage technical activities concerning provision of products for the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, including product selection; forecasting and quantification of products; monitoring the fulfillment of orders by suppliers; tracking of shipments to client countries; expediting freight forwarding and customs clearance; storage and distribution of products in-country; and logistics management information systems. Arrange for and assist with assessments of supply chain programs in-country to determine system strengths and weaknesses and identify technical assistance gaps that may be addressed by SCMS as needed. Working with the PMO, develop and implement a long-term SCMS strategy and an annual work plan and budget, in conjunction with the USG team, host-government Ministries of Health, and other cooperating agencies. Update the work plan and budget on a quarterly basis. Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building

Identify, support, and use in-country capacity to achieve effectiveness and sustainability of HIV/AIDS commodity supply chain systems. Identify capacity gaps and arrange for appropriate training of field office staff to adequately equip them with required skills and knowledge to accomplish their technical, administrative, and financial management responsibilities. Together with the PMO, identify, assess, and pursue opportunities for SCMS supply chain and technical assistance activities in accordance with the targets set out in the USG County Operational Plans (COPs). Where appropriate, seek additional field support funding to finance SCMS supply chain and technical assistance activities. Identify appropriate areas requiring technical assistance and capacity building that can be met by SCMS. Develop scopes of work (SOWs) for short-term technical assistance requirements and obtain necessary approvals and, working with the PMO, modify SOWs as required. Together with the PMO, organize and manage activities related to the provision of short-term technical assistance (STTA or temporary duty, TDY). Report results of technical assistance on a regular basis as required. Provide direct in-country technical assistance, as appropriate, within areas of expertise. Coordination and Information Sharing

Coordinate technical work and procurement/supply planning with local partners, including Ministry of Health and Social Services, National Medical Stores, and the National Institute of Pathology. Seek opportunities to collaborate with other donors, including the Global Fund and bilateral organizations. Manage communications with USG Teams, host country institutions, and others on specific topics related to the project activities. Manage communications with SCMS technical and management staff in the PMO and CA-USA. With the PMO, develop client-centered methods of responding to needs of and requests from USG Teams and host country institutions. Develop and maintain an understanding and appreciation of the historical, political, economic, demographic, and public health issues relevant to the project SOW. Ensure effective communications within the in-country team. Inform stakeholders of services that SCMS can provide in procurement and technical assistance, particularly innovations in commodity management and lessons learned in the broader SCMS context.

Other Management Activities

Manage the operation of SCMS field office teams in adherence with policies and procedures established by CA-USA and the PMO. Develop and manage country program budgets with CA-USA and PMO, including negotiate funding with USG Teams. Oversee finances and cash flow as well as ensure adequate availability of project funds to complete required project work in conjunction with CA-USA and the PMO. Prepare reports as required for submission to CA-USA and PMO. Identify and recruit staff for the in-country field office, in consultation with CA-USA and the PMO and in accordance with established human resources policies and procedures. Establish and maintain performance management programs, including the creation annual performance targets for staff and implementation of the annual performance review process. Manage, coach, mentor and motivate staff. Arrange team-building activities for in-country field office staff in consultation with CA-USA and the PMO as needed. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Degree in pharmacy, public health, procurement, logistics, or supply chain management or equivalent education or equivalent work experience. Seven to ten years' experience in international public health, with program in HIV/AIDS, pharmaceutical management, and/or health commodity procurement and supply chain system strengthening. Seven to ten years' experience managing in-country public health programs/projects in a developing country context, with five years or more experience of senior-level management responsibility, including supervision of staff as well as negotiation, development, and implementation of project strategies, work plans, and budgets. Five to seven years' experience in providing technical assistance to Ministries of Health, non-governmental organizations, and donor organizations. Excellent written and oral communications skills. Excellent presentation and marketing skills honed from interacting with senior levels in the public and/or private sectors. Proven ability to work as a part of a team, but self-managing of own time and priorities. Demonstrated intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with Microsoft Project and QuickBooks a plus. English fluency required, including speaking, writing, and reading. Experience with managing donor-funded projects, including familiarity with PEPFAR and US Government rules/regulations, highly desirable.

Application Process
To apply to this position, please submit your CV at our recruiting website: http://careers.crownagentsusa.com.No phone calls, faxes or walk-ins please. Crown Agents USA, Inc.