Consultant (Drug Supply) - Vital Strategies

1. POSITION VACANT:  Consultant – Drug Supply, Vital Strategies, New Delhi

2. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

Headquartered in the US, Vital Strategies is a respected, international non-profit and global public health accelerator, working to address the most challenging health issues to improve the quality of life for people around the world.

Resolve to Save Lives, is an ambitious, US$ 225 million, five-year global health initiative of Vital Strategies, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and BMGF, that aims to save millions of lives by reducing preventable deaths from cardiovascular disease and preventing infectious disease epidemics.

The organization envisions a world where everyone is protected by a strong public health system and works in close collaboration with governments, civil society, development organizations, and the private sector, to implement wide-ranging and impactful health programs across the world.

Vital Strategies launched the India Hypertension Management Initiative in India in September 2017 and is obtaining the requisite statutory clearances and expanding their high-quality team of resource persons.

For more information, please visit https://www.resolvetosavelives.org/

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to and working directly with the Country Director, the Consultant – Drug Supply shall work closely with the senior technical and managerial team at Vital Strategies/ Resolve to Save Lives,government at the central and state levels and other relevant stakeholders, for implementing selected projects for improving cardiovascular health in India.

This is a Delhi-based position at the India office of Vital Strategies and an exciting opportunity for an outstanding public health professional to join a respected international non-profit and positively impact the state of cardiovascular health in India.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:
(1) Build capacity at the central and state levels for the management of drug supplies relating to Vital Strategies’ cardiovascular health initiative. This shall include evaluating data, applying forecasting models to determine the need for drug supplies, assessing drug supply status, identifying issues, problem-solving drug supply and logistics planning, working with stakeholders to facilitate drug availability, and revising treatment protocols, as necessary for improved program implementation;
(2) Private-sector engagement: Facilitate the engagement and participation of the private sector in the above, working closely with stakeholders to enable the partnership;
(3) Work in close collaboration with drug supply chain contacts at the MoHFW, Central and State Government Institutes and State Health Departments, providing technical guidance and support, as necessary, for the successful achievement of project deliverables;
(4) Track and closely monitor progress of the initiative/ joint effort, identifying key issues and bottlenecks and trouble-shooting for their early resolution in consultation with different stakeholders;
(5) Visit selected program sites at desired intervals with the objective of identifying issues and solutions to drug supply procurement and management at the state and/or district-level;
(6) Liaise with and advocate to senior health functionaries at the national and state level, with a view to effectively managing drug shortages and procurement bottlenecks related to the cardiovascular health initiative;
(7) Coordinate closely with the government, donors, partners, stakeholders and other agencies, strictly adhering to the Resolve to Save Lives Conflict of Interest policy, to reduce barriers to medication access;
(8) Plan and ensure implementation of sound drug logistics management practices, including the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manuals and Training Materials, conduct of training of different cadres of staff and communication at the community level;
(9) Effectively represent the organization to various stakeholders and at different platforms;
(10) Work in close coordination with the Country Director and other team members and contribute to other activities, as considered relevant, for the effective planning and implementation of the initiative.

Please note that the above responsibilities may change to meet the evolving needs of the organisation.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualifications and Experience:
(1) Applicants must have a Masters’ Degree in Public Health, or Pharmacy, or Hospital Administration, from a recognized institute and seven years of relevant experience in drug supply management;
(2) Applicants with an MBBS/ MD in Community Medicine, with less than seven years of experience, but a strong orientation to drug supply management may also apply;
(3) Prior experience in implementing public health projects/ programmes in association with the government is desirable;
(4) Prior experience of drug procurement in a Public Health System shall be an advantage.

This is a challenging position with a steep learning curve, but shall be extremely rewarding professionally, for those with a passion for public health work.

Skills and Competencies:
(1) Excellent communication, documentation and analytical skills;
(2) Good interpersonal skills and experience in managing relationships with diverse stakeholders;
(3) Proficiency in the use of MS Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel;
(4) Excellent supervisory and team management skills;
(5) The position requires frequent travel.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

Gross annual remuneration budgeted for the position ranges from Rs. 18 to 24 lacs per annum. Please note that offers shall be commensurate with the qualifications, experience and salary history of the selected candidate.

6. TENURE: 

The successful candidate shall be issued a contract for a period of one year, with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funds.

7. LOCATION: New Delhi

8. REFERENCE: CDS-VS

9. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senior Consultant
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 2684 2162; 4165 3612
Email: cds-vs@sams.co.in

10. LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply at cds-vs@sams.co.in with a cover letter, discussing their interest in and suitability for the position, along with an updated resume, giving details of three references, current cost to organization and expected compensation, by or before May 21, 2018.