**Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP)** + _Locally engaged personnel - 3-year contract with possible 2-year extension_ + _Based in Suva, Fiji with travel to Divisions_ **FPSP Overview:** FPSP, also referred to as the ‘Platform’, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment, will contribute to the delivery of Fiji’s national development priorities, in line with the Australia’s International Development Policy, the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership and the Development Partnership Plan. The Platform will deliver key bilateral programs, such as health, education, scholarships, social infrastructure, governance, climate and emergency preparedness and response. Platform activities will identify and address climate risks, promote climate action, and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) across and beyond the sector programs. The Platform has three functional Outcomes: 1. The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including through supporting strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments. 2. The Platform has prioritised gender equality, disability-inclusive development, and climate and disaster resilience, in its systems and practices. This includes in how it undertakes sector programming and its engagement with selected Government of Fiji (GoF) agencies. 3. The Platform administers timely and efficient programming that is: value for money; maximises use of local supply chains; and supports good governance, and public diplomacy, effective decision making and risk management. **AFHP Overview:** The Fiji Program Support Platform (the Platform) implements over fifty percent of Australia’s bilateral development support to Fiji across a range of sector programs in education, health, Australia Awards, disaster response, cyclone recovery, social infrastructure and technical assistance to improve public sector governance in Fiji. The Platform integrates cross-cutting themes, including gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), climate and disaster resilience, across sectoral programs. In particular, the Platform seeks to strengthen program outcomes by better addressing the needs of targeted beneficiaries including those who are often marginalised. The Australian Government is supporting Fiji’s health sector through the Australia Fiji Health Program (AFHP, the Program) working with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS). The program’s high-level End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) are: + Improved systems are used by MHMS and health workers for evidence-based planning and resource allocation (workforce and budget), clinical care, digital health and medical supply chains; and + Targeted healthcare facilities equitably deliver improved primary health services, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and non-communicable disease (NCD) services. The funding for the program is approximately AUD 45million over 9 years (5 years, with an option to extend a further 4 years) and delivered through a range of activities (interventions) to achieve the program’s objectives where implementation modalities include technical advice, procurement of technical services and goods, minor works and infrastructure upgrades, capacity building and training support, support to Ministry led initiatives and innovations, and grants to civil society organisations (CSOs). AFHP is designed to support the MHMS achieve the goals and objectives in its Strategic Plan and Annual Operational Plans, and AFHP’s workplans are targeted to support specific components of the Ministry’s plans. Recent natural disasters such as cyclones, and public health emergencies in Fiji including COVID-19 have highlighted major challenges for pandemic preparedness and response during epidemics and other health emergencies. In this context, around 10% of program funding will be allocated for MHMS to assign to emerging needs and priorities as they arise. Funding may be allocated toward preparedness and responses to public health emergencies, or related opportunities for reform and innovation. **Position Summary:** The National Health Supply Chain Specialist is a senior member of the Australia Fiji Health Program (AFHP) team, supporting the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to strengthen national health supply chains. This role involves strategic support, operational improvement, capacity building, and fostering innovation in the health supply chain to ensure equitable access to essential health commodities. **Key Responsibilities:** Supporting MHMS to strengthen National Health Supply Chains + Collaborate with Fiji Pharmaceutical Biomedical Services Centre (FPBS), Beyond Essentials Systems (BES), and other stakeholders to improve demand and supply planning, inventory management, and distribution systems. + Address challenges in access, storage, and redistribution of essential medicines especially for NCDs and SRH, vaccines supplies, clinical and laboratory consumables and diagnostics, particularly in remote areas. + Advise MHMS procurement teams on cost-effective practices, ensuring product quality and timely availability of health commodities and biomedical equipment. + Enhance logistics data systems and integrate service data to improve accountability and forecasting. + Scope and ensure integration of biomedical equipment, SRH products, clinical and laboratory consumables and assistive devices into mSupply. + Identify and engage with key suppliers locally and internationally for improved access to clinical supplies. + Promote strengthened procurement initiatives to achieve cost efficiency and quality and ensure procurement proposals alignment with GoF budget cycles. + Identify barriers to universal access to essential drugs, vaccines and diagnostics and proposing policy interventions + Build relationships with key government agencies, UN and other donors' partners, including NGOs involved in supply chain reforms and health related procurement. + Participate in meetings and technical working groups and represent the AFHP at relevant workshops and conferences. + Contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of the AFHP Supply Chain Reform Project in association with FPBS and BES and other relevant parties. Data-Driven Decision Making + Encourage active utilization of mSupply dashboards and other relevant data sources for evidence-based decision-making. + Work with the MHMS Digital Health Team to address connectivity issues in remote facilities and advocate for necessary upgrades. + Work with BES team to improve warehousing, order processing, and stock availability practices, focusing on commodities critical to NCDs, maternal and newborn care, SRHR, and infection prevention. + Work with BES Team to monitor the expansion and impact of mSupply systems in remote facilities and provide timely feedback should there be gaps in services. + Monitor the usage of mSupply in health facilities and provide targeted support to ensure facilities to fully utilise system capabilities. + Evaluate new procurement systems and integration of vertical programs to enhance efficiency and inclusivity. Capacity Building and Workforce Development + Support FPBS with clinical product information and training to FPBS and health facility staff. + Foster a collaborative and inclusive FPBS workplace culture, supporting organizational growth and service delivery. Procurement and Contracting + Support MHMS in clinical and biomedical product evaluation for tenders, ensuring value for money and sustainability. + Support FPBS with product trials and supplier performance reviews to ensure compliance with quality standards. + Provide technical advice on sourcing and procurement during supply shortages. Administration, Logistics, and Risk Management + Support MHMS with records and reports on product recalls and complaints, coordinating corrective actions. + Collaborate with warehouse teams to improve product identification and quality control. + Ensure compliance with DFAT standards for fraud prevention, child protection, and safeguarding. + Integrate GEDSI principles into supply chain strategies and activities. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) + Work closely with the AFHP MEL Specialist and BES Team to monitor and evaluate supply chain initiatives. + Support the development and monitoring of indicators to measure supply chain performance and impact with BES and MHMS + Contribute to communications and public diplomacy efforts related to the health supply chain. + Provide feedback to the community of health facility staff about improvements in the supply chain and availability. General + Lead initiatives to enhance climate resilience in supply chain operations, particularly for disaster preparedness and response. + Advocate for policies to reduce reliance on ad hoc out-of-pocket expenditures and improve financial accessibility to healthcare. + Support innovations in digital health solutions for inventory and supply chain management. + Engage in cross-sectoral partnerships to improve supply chain outcomes. + Provide advisory services for integrating sustainable practices into the supply chain. + Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the AFHP Team Leader **Key Working Relationships:** Reporting to + AFHP Senior Health Specialist and MHMS Chief Medical Adviser   Other  + AFHP Program Support Team + Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) + Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) + Beyond Essential Systems (BES) Fiji National Supply Health Chain Reform Project Team **Selection Criteria:** Qualifications + Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as supply chain and logistics management, procurement and tender management, public health, health services management, pharmacy, business administration, health policy and planning, development studies. Specialised training in procurement will be an advantage Experience + At least 10 years of relevant professional work experience managing supply chain, logistics and marketing in either hospitals or pharmaceutical companies, non-governmental organizations, or government; + Experience in developing logistic systems and ability to assess logistics information system needs and their integration in the facility-based distribution; + Relevant work experience in at least three of the following areas: managing medical supply chains, government supply chain, marketing and distribution, health procurement, quality control and demand forecasting + Demonstrated experience in budgeting, planning and project cost control and expenditure forecasting. Knowledge and Skills + High level project management skills and knowledge of development work. + Excellent oral and written skills. + Excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. + Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. + Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-level reports and briefs and effectively present ideas. + Comprehensive understanding of the structure and organization of the Fiji Health System. + Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications. + Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to engage at a senior level, build and maintain networks, provide advice and communicate effectively (both written and verbal) on sensitive issues with a culturally and professionally diverse range of stakeholders. + Knowledge of, or familiarity with DFAT’s compliance standards for development programs, particularly child protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and fraud awareness and control requirements and practice. Personal Attributes + A passion for achieving the best possible outcomes in patient care. + Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to gather information, influence others with diplomacy, tact, and discretion, and engage individuals at all levels with respect and confidence. This includes strong presentation skills and experience presenting to large groups. + Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team and work independently, demonstrating initiative when required. + Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks, meet tight deadlines, and work flexibly when needed. + High level of personal integrity and professionalism.  **How to apply:** Applications close on 16 February 2025 Please apply online by submitting a cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of this role and up-to-date comprehensive CV.  \#LI-AUSBRIT #LI-HN1