Supply Chain Specialist (3 Vacancies) – DAI Kenya – November 2024

Supply Chain Specialist (3 Vacancies) – DAI Kenya – November 2024

Position: Supply Chain Specialist (3 Vacancies)
Company: DAI Kenya
Location: Malaria Endemic Counties, Mombasa County, and Gishu County, Kenya
Type of Job: Full-time, Long-term
Reporting to: Regional Integration Manager
Application Deadline: November 25, 2024

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Introduction

Are you a seasoned professional in supply chain management looking to make a significant impact in Kenya’s health sector? DAI Kenya is seeking dynamic and experienced Supply Chain Specialists to join our team in advancing the Kenya Integrated Pharmaceutical and Supply Chain Technical Assistance (KIPS) activity. With three vacancies available, this is a unique opportunity to contribute to strengthening Kenya’s health commodity supply chain systems and ensuring sustainable access to quality-assured and affordable health commodities.

Project Background

The purpose of the Kenya Integrated Pharmaceutical and Supply Chain Technical Assistance (KIPS) activity is to ensure sustainable access to and appropriate use of quality-assured and affordable health commodities through a resilient and mature supply chain system and pharmaceutical regulatory services. KIPS focuses on strengthening the capacity of local systems, institutions, and individuals to manage supply chains sustainably. This includes both USAID-procured health commodities and those procured through national and local systems. By enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain, KIPS aims to improve health outcomes across the country.

Position Purpose

As a Supply Chain Specialist, you will implement and support county-level supply chain functions for the USAID KIPS activity. This includes engaging county-level stakeholders, supporting the design, implementation, learning, and adaptation of strategies to optimize supply chain operations, and coordinating with county-level KIPS staff focused on supporting data, training, and regulatory systems strengthening. This position reports to the Regional Integration Manager and will be based at the county level, supporting activities in multiple counties planned to receive differentiated packages of technical assistance.

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Key Responsibilities

As a Supply Chain Specialist, your primary duties will include:

• Provide Technical Assistance and support for supply chain activities at the county level.
• Support the design, implementation, and adaptation of strategies to optimize supply chain operations and ensure commodity availability.
• Collaborate with Health Product and Technology Unit teams to implement strategies advancing supply chain maturity, tracking progress via the supply chain scorecard.
• Support the strategic technical direction across the supply chain, coordinating with pharmaceutical management, data/information systems, and cross-cutting workstreams to ensure a coherent and integrated approach.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the integration strategy to ensure harmonization and coordination across various health areas, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, family planning, maternal and child health, among others.
• Coordinate and support the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning/Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (MEL/CLA) team in overseeing research, assessments, and evaluations to generate evidence and inform continuous learning and adaptation.
• Monitor and report on the progress and impact of integration efforts, leveraging data and evidence to inform decision-making and continuous improvement at the county level.
• Support county-level capacity building initiatives to transfer skills and competencies to national and county supply chain management units and pharmaceutical regulatory bodies, promoting integrated approaches.
• Identify opportunities for integration, synergies, and cross-cutting interventions at the county level.

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Qualifications and Skills

To be successful in this role, you should possess the following qualifications and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.
• At least 8 years of experience in supply chain management for health commodities in resource-limited settings, particularly on donor-funded programs.
• Excellent understanding of subnational health commodity supply chain systems and management in Kenya.
• Experience engaging government supply chain and related stakeholders to support integrated implementation of pharmaceutical management, supply chain, and data systems interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer technical skills, build capacity of country institutions, systems, and workforce, and promote integrated approaches.
• Strong strategic thinking and activity management capabilities, with experience in integration within the global health/international development context.
• Skills in stakeholder management, partnership development, communication, team leadership, and fostering collaboration across different stakeholder groups.
• Proficiency in results-based monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptive management principles, focusing on measuring and reporting on integration efforts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

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Company Culture and Values

At DAI, our mission is to make a lasting difference in the world by tackling complex development challenges. Our company culture is defined by our commitment to:

• Global Impact: We work on the frontlines of global development, transforming ideas into action and action into impact. Our projects span various regions and sectors, addressing issues such as health, governance, economic development, and more.
• Diversity and Inclusion: We are an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all backgrounds. We believe that diversity is our strength and strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
• Ethical Standards: Upholding the highest ethical standards is non-negotiable for us. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, as well as other ethical breaches. All employees undergo stringent vetting and reference checks to ensure alignment with our values.
• Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities where we live and work. This includes confronting racism and promoting equity and justice in all aspects of our operations.
• Innovation and Excellence: We encourage our team members to think creatively and strive for excellence. By fostering an environment of innovation, we develop cutting-edge solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
• Professional Development: We are dedicated to the growth and development of our staff. We provide opportunities for professional advancement, learning, and capacity building.
• Collaboration: We believe in the power of collaboration. By working together with partners, stakeholders, and communities, we amplify our impact and achieve sustainable results.

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Apply Now for Supply Chain Specialist

Ready to make a difference in Kenya’s health sector? Apply now for the Supply Chain Specialist position with DAI Kenya. To apply, please follow these steps:

1. Visit the application link: DAI Kenya Supply Chain Specialist Application.
2. Select the position you are interested in applying for.
3. Fill out the required information and upload your CV.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as interviews will be conducted shortly. Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive and the urgency of filling positions, only shortlisted applicants will receive notification on the next steps.

Application Deadline: November 25, 2024.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all backgrounds. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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Expert Tips to Be a Successful Applicant for the Supply Chain Specialist Position

As a recruiting expert with years of experience, I offer the following detailed tips to help you craft a standout application for the Supply Chain Specialist role at DAI Kenya.

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description

• Customize Your Resume: Do not use a generic resume. Customize it to reflect the specific requirements of the Supply Chain Specialist position.
• Highlight Relevant Experience: Focus on your experience in supply chain management for health commodities, especially in resource-limited settings. Detail your roles in donor-funded programs, mentioning specific projects and achievements.
• Use Keywords Strategically: Incorporate keywords from the job description to pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) screening. Ensure they are used naturally within your descriptions.
• Example: “Over 8 years of experience managing supply chain systems for health commodities in Kenya, including leading roles in USAID-funded projects that improved commodity availability by 25%.”

2. Demonstrate Your Understanding of Kenya’s Health Supply Chain

• Show Local Insights: Illustrate your familiarity with the challenges and opportunities within Kenya’s subnational health commodity supply chain systems.
• Provide Specific Examples: Mention specific counties or regions where you have worked and the impact of your work.
• Example: “In Mombasa County, collaborated with local health facilities to streamline procurement processes, reducing lead times by 30%.”

3. Emphasize Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills

• Detail Collaboration Efforts: Describe instances where you engaged with government stakeholders, NGOs, or community organizations to achieve supply chain goals.
• Highlight Communication Skills: Emphasize your ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Example: “Facilitated quarterly stakeholder meetings between county health officials and supply chain partners, leading to improved coordination and resource allocation.”

4. Showcase Strategic Thinking and Integration Experience

• Outline Strategic Projects: Discuss projects where you developed or implemented strategies that enhanced supply chain integration.
• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: Provide examples of how you addressed complex challenges through strategic planning.
• Example: “Developed an integration strategy that combined supply chain processes for family planning and maternal health commodities, resulting in cost savings and improved service delivery.”

5. Highlight Your Capacity Building Expertise

• Detail Training Programs: Mention any training programs you designed or facilitated for supply chain personnel.
• Emphasize Knowledge Transfer: Explain how you ensured that skills and knowledge were effectively transferred to local teams.
• Example: “Designed a capacity-building program for county pharmacists, increasing their proficiency in inventory management systems by 40%.”

6. Demonstrate Proficiency in Monitoring and Evaluation

• Discuss MEL Frameworks: Describe your experience with specific Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks or tools relevant to supply chain management.
• Show Data-Driven Results: Provide examples of how you used data to inform decision-making and adapt strategies.
• Example: “Implemented a dashboard system for real-time monitoring of commodity levels, enabling proactive interventions and reducing stockouts by 15%.”

7. Showcase Communication and Language Skills

• Include Writing Samples: If possible, provide links or references to reports or publications you have authored.
• Highlight Presentation Skills: Mention any conferences or workshops where you presented findings or led discussions.
• Example: “Presented at the East African Health Supply Chain Conference on optimizing logistics for essential medicines.”

8. Demonstrate Ethical Standards and Cultural Fit

• Align with DAI’s Mission: Express your passion for contributing to sustainable development and improving health outcomes.
• Provide Ethical Examples: Share instances where you upheld ethical standards in challenging situations.
• Example: “Established transparent procurement processes to eliminate corruption risks, ensuring fair vendor selection.”

9. Prepare for the Interview

• Research DAI and KIPS: Gain a thorough understanding of DAI’s work and the objectives of the KIPS activity.
• Prepare Success Stories: Have specific examples ready that demonstrate your competencies and achievements.
• Practice Behavioral Questions: Be prepared to answer questions about teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.
• Example Question: “Describe a time when you had to navigate a complex regulatory environment to achieve supply chain objectives.”

10. Follow Application Instructions Carefully

• Review the Application Requirements: Ensure you have included all required documents and information.
• Professionalism in Submission: Use a professional email address and ensure all communications are formal and error-free.
• Express Enthusiasm: Convey your genuine interest in the role and in working with DAI Kenya.
• Example: “I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to DAI’s mission and the KIPS activity, leveraging my experience to enhance Kenya’s health supply chain systems.”

By meticulously applying these tips, you will present yourself as a well-qualified and motivated candidate, increasing your chances of securing an interview and, ultimately, the position.

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We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all backgrounds. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.