Supply Chain Transition and Start-Up Consultant

Overview

Jhpiego is assuming responsibility for selected supply chain systems strengthening activities previously supported through the Global Health Supply Chain Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project. During the transition and start-up period, focused technical assistance is required to maintain continuity in priority planning, human resource, quantification, and Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) functions including open mSupply.

Jhpiego therefore seeks a consultant to provide targeted technical and implementation support for the development of the annual supply chain workplan; recruitment of competent supply chain human resources; malaria quantification working group support and routine supply plan updates; and continuity and expansion of open mSupply services at supported health facilities.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will provide high-level technical leadership and implementation support to enable Jhpiego to successfully meet project start-up milestones and establish the systems, processes, partnerships, and technical capacity required to implement supply chain strengthening activities under the new award.

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide focused start-up and transition support in four priority areas: (1) development of the annual supply chain workplan; (2) recruitment and onboarding support for competent supply chain personnel; (3) malaria and MCH annual forecasting and quarterly supply planning through the Malaria Quantification Working Group and the national Quantification Sub-Group; and (4) eLMIS functions, including continued support to the implementation hub, existing mSupply facilities and rollout to additional district facilities.

Responsibilities

Scope of Work and Responsibilities

Annual Supply Chain Workplan Development

The consultant will:

- Lead and facilitate the development of the project's annual supply chain workplan in alignment with award requirements and Ministry of Health priorities.

- Work with Jhpiego technical and management teams and relevant government counterparts to define priority activities, timelines, responsibilities, milestones, and expected outputs.

- Support review and finalization of the workplan based on feedback from Jhpiego and relevant stakeholders.

Recruitment of Supply Chain Human Resources

The consultant will:

- Provide technical support for the recruitment of competent supply chain personnel required under the new award.

- Support review and refinement of supply chain job descriptions and technical qualification requirements, as needed.

- Participate in technical screening, shortlisting, interview processes, and assessment of candidates for relevant supply chain positions.

- Provide technical input to support selection of personnel with the competencies required for forecasting, supply planning, LMIS including mSupply and DHIS-2, data use, and related supply chain functions.

- Support technical orientation to newly recruited and existing Jhpiego personnel, and handover to the staff on the priority functions covered by this consultancy.

Malaria forecasting and Supply Planning

The consultant will:

- Support continuity of malaria forecasting and supply planning activities through the Malaria Quantification Group and the national Quantification Sub-Group.

- Provide technical assistance for preparation, review, validation, documentation, and follow-up of malaria quantification outputs.

- Support use of the Quantification Analytics Tool (QAT), where applicable, for forecasting and supply planning activities, as well as capacity building on the functioning and use of QAT.

- Support routine review and updating of the malaria supply plan using the latest stock status, consumption, procurement, shipment, funding, and programmatic information.

- Facilitate coordination with the National Malaria Control Programme, Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services, National Medical Supplies Agency, Jhpiego, and other relevant stakeholders to maintain an agreed and current supply plan.

- Support identification and documentation of supply risks, funding or procurement gaps, and required follow-up actions arising from quantification and supply plan reviews.

mSupply/LMIS Continuity and Rollout Support

The consultant will:

- Provide technical and operational support to maintain continuity of the eLMIS implementation hub and the open mSupply functions at facilities where the system is already operational.

- Support routine follow-up, mentorship, troubleshooting, data quality, reporting compliance, and appropriate use of mSupply data at existing supported facilities.

- Support planning and implementation of mSupply rollout to additional district facilities in line with agreed national and project priorities.

- Support facility readiness assessment, rollout scheduling, user preparation, deployment, training, and post-implementation follow-up for additional facilities.

- Coordinate with the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services, National Medical Supplies Agency, the National mSupply Hub, District Health Management Teams, Jhpiego staff, and other relevant stakeholders on mSupply implementation through the LMIS/M&E sub-group, eLMIS steering committee, district supply chain working group and the national supply chain working group.

- Support tracking of rollout progress, system functionality, user adoption, reporting, and key implementation issues requiring resolution.

- Promote continuity, government ownership, and sustainability of eLMIS functions throughout the transition and rollout period.

Deliverables

The consultant will produce the following deliverables:

- Finalized Annual Supply Chain Workplan outlining priority activities, timelines, milestones, responsibilities, and expected outputs.

- Technical Recruitment Support Report documenting participation in recruitment, candidate assessment, selection recommendations, and staff orientation support.

- Quantification and Supply Planning Support Package , including documented inputs to Quantification Working Group meetings, updated supply plans, and QAT-related technical assistance.

- Open mSupply Continuity Assessment and Support Plan for existing supported facilities.

- mSupply Rollout Plan for agreed additional district facilities, including readiness assessment findings, rollout schedules, and support requirements.

- Monthly Progress Updates summarizing activities completed, challenges encountered and recommended next steps.

- Final Consultancy Report summarizing achievements, outstanding actions, lessons learned, sustainability considerations, and recommendations for continuity of supply chain functions.

Required Qualifications

- Advanced degrees in Pharmacy, Public Health, Supply Chain Management, Health Systems, or a related field.

- Minimum of 10 years of experience supporting public health supply chains in Sierra Leone.

- Demonstrated expertise in forecasting and supply planning of malaria and MCHN commodities, QAT, DHIS-2, mSupply, and health information systems.

- Experience supporting recruitment, technical assessment, orientation, and mentoring of public health supply chain personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

- Extensive experience working with MoH, DPS, NMSA, DHMTs, national health programs, and development partners.

- Strong facilitation, coordination, technical writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.

- Previous experience supporting GHSC-PSM supply chain strengthening activities in Sierra Leone is highly desirable.