Health Supply Chain Project Officer Fiji (Fiji National, Fixed-Term Contract – 12 months)

 Job Summary: 

We're looking for a full-time Supply Chain Project Officer based in Suva, Fiji, for a 12-month contract. You'll support national health supply chain reform across Fiji, including providing troubleshooting support and training for mSupply. The role involves regular travel and close collaboration with local teams and stakeholders.

A bit about us: 

Here at Beyond Essential Systems (BES) we make awesome technology and put it to good use in the world. Our aim is to improve decision making in low resource settings by providing meaningful data that results in well informed decisions, and better outcomes for individuals. Our services and products have an impact across health, education, supply chain and disaster management, and we are proud to be able to provide innovative and collaborative solutions, while working closely with local partners in the Asia / Pacific region.

 About the role: 

BES has been working with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and the Fiji Program Support Platform to support supply chain strengthening and access to essential medicines in Fiji since 2019. You will be joining an established and successful project, which includes digitisation of Fiji’s national health supply chain (using the logistics management information system mSupply), and a wide range of supply chain reforms covering warehousing, procurement, and policy. Health product procurement reforms have been underway since 2022, including digitisation of request for quotations (RFQs) and some tenders using mSupply and Health Supply Hub, an electronic procurement platform recently introduced in Fiji. We are seeking a Supply Chain Project Officer to be based full-time in Suva, Fiji as a 12 month contract to assist with providing ongoing supply chain support to MHMS health facilities including supporting MHMS’ electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS), mSupply.

The position is full-time (40 hours per week), with leave and entitlements provided in line with Fiji employment regulations. Required equipment, including a laptop, will be provided.

Role description:

Following the national rollout of mSupply in Fiji, there is an increasing requirement to support existing users, provide timely troubleshooting response, and proactively identify/respond to sites which may require targeted support to optimise usage of the system and strengthen supply chain processes. The Supply Chain Project Officer will be responsible for providing this support to mSupply users within the Fiji MHMS. They will monitor mSupply usage and supply chain performance at all sites (via the mSupply Dashboard), identify sites requiring additional support, develop action plans for improving system usage and supply chain processes, and deliver those plans (e.g. conducting refresher training sessions, providing on-site support, conducting regular follow-up phone calls, etc.). 

The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with our local Supply Chain team to ensure training and support plans are well-coordinated. They will also communicate regularly with relevant BES and MHMS stakeholders to report on progress, including common requests and support activities provided.

The successful applicant will be based in Suva and is required to travel regularly within Fiji. They are expected to work according to local conditions, with 40 hours’ work each week. Leave and travel entitlements will be included according to local laws. All equipment required, including a laptop will be provided. Office space and utilities to support the position will be arranged in negotiation with the MHMS.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the supply chain activities in the Fiji National Health Supply Chain Reform Project.

• Use mSupply to track and analyse key monitoring and evaluation indicators, assess supply chain performance across health facilities, measure project impact, and identify and respond to bottlenecks.

• Proactively identify facilities that require additional support to optimise their use of mSupply and supply chain processes, and develop/execute a plan to address these needs.

• Respond to mSupply support requests from users and escalate out-of-scope queries to other stakeholders (e.g. FPBS, the mSupply Foundation Support Desk).

• Visit health facilities requiring additional support to provide mSupply refresher training, on-site stock management support (e.g. stocktakes), and technical troubleshooting.

• Implement, support and train on the use of digital systems for supply chain strengthening including mSupply, Health Supply Hub and, where required, Tupaia and Tamanu.

• Attend and contribute to weekly team meetings for the Fiji National Supply Chain Reform Project.

• Write reports and deliver presentations on Supply chain activities and support provided. 

• Liaise with the BES team (local and international), Fiji MHMS health and IT staff and, where required, the mSupply Foundation Support Desk, to achieve outcomes.

• Ensure compliance with policies (including Child Protection Policy) and fiduciary responsibilities in the carrying out of contracts.

• Promote BES and BES products and generate revenue leads by collaboration with partner countries.

• Other tasks as reasonably requested by supervisors.

• Position reports to the Fiji Last Mile Supply Chain Manager

Selection criteria:

Degree (or equivalent formal qualifications) in Nursing, Pharmacy, Health, Logistics/Supply Chain or similar fields. Demonstrated experience in any of these fields of more than 5 years without formal qualifications may suffice.

Experience:

• Experience in pharmacy, healthcare or warehousing.

• Experience in training both groups and individuals in health or supply chain programs and/or systems.

• Experience analysing and reporting data.

• Experience in implementing a digital system within a health, supply chain, or cold chain setting is an advantage.

• Experience using mSupply or an electronic logistics management system is an advantage.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Health programs, Pharmacy or Supply Chain, with at least 2 years’ experience in a relevant field.

• Demonstrated proficiency in IT and software systems.

Personal attributes:

You’ll have a real connection with our purpose and will be looking for a role where your work has a meaningful influence and impact on the lives of others. You’ll be a natural collaborator with initiative and drive. All BES staff must be ethical, professional, adhere to the organisation’s values, and are expected to report against misconduct, illegal and inappropriate behaviour. 

• Confidence in public speaking and/or presenting to diverse audiences.

• Skills in analysis and planning work processes and in working towards targets. 

• Well organised with a strong eye for detail; able to prioritise and process a variety of administrative tasks independently.

• Positive, hard-working attitude and ability to work independently and as part of a small team.

• Strong skills in IT or telecommunications, with computer skills and proficiency in using Windows-based applications and Microsoft Office. 

• Good communication skills, and a good command of spoken and written English.

• Willingness and ability to travel regularly (locally).

What’s in it for you?

Where do we start!  As well as being part of key projects and having meaningful work, we also offer: 

• genuine work/life balance and flexibility 

• ongoing professional development: you decide where to take your career

• a talented, collaborative, and friendly team to work with

How to apply:

Please submit the following as part of your application:

• Cover letter

• CV

• Include in your cover letter the answer to the question (in less than 100 words): What is your favourite software and why?

We would especially encourage you to apply if you are from a community that’s underrepresented in the technology or aid industry.

We’ll hire as soon as we get the right candidate, so don’t delay!