POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA COURSE IN GLOBAL HEALTH PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

For more information please reach Mr. Evans Mwemezi via calmevans@gmail.com

Course Structure:

1. Introduction to Procurement and Supply Chain Management

This introductory module aims to provide a complete overview of the PSM approach in global
health. Students will be exposed to basic terminology, fundamental concepts of pharmaceutical
management, public health programs and how the PSM function fits into the overall structure.
 Overview
 Basic Terminologies
 Public Health Objectives
 Pharmaceutical Management
 Introduction to Procurement and Supply Management
 Role of the PSM staff
 Challenges in PSM

2. Public Health Commodities

In this module students will develop a basic understanding of health commodities, review on
how products on the national treatment guidelines is arrived at including the process, persons
involved, key strengths and gaps. Detailed understanding of the essential medicines concept
will be dealt with.
 Health Commodity Classification Systems
 Types of Public Health Commodities
 Market Size for Health Commodities
 Introduction to the essential medicines concept
 Standard Treatment guidelines
 Product Registration
 Impact of Product Selection
3. Quantification and Supply Planning
Aim of this module is to understand the methodology, tools and key process to estimate the
country needs for health commodities. Understanding scientific forecasting methods as applied
to various product categories.
 Forecasting versus Quantification
 Need for Quantification
 Quantification Methods
 Quantification of Various Commodity Types
 Creating and Validating Forecasts
 Accuracy of Forecasts
 Triangulation of Data
 Funding and Budgeting
 Issues to consider while Forecasting

4. Global Health Procurement

At the end of this module, the students will be able to understand the processes, personnel and
standards applied as well as country capacity to carry out effective procurement. Focus will be
on principles of good procurement practice, writing of procurement plans and types of
procurement methods.
 Introduction to the procurement process
 Total procurement costs
 Types of procurement methods
 Good procurement practices
 Supplier selection methodology
 Contracting methods
 Procurement planning methodology
 Supplier management methodology
 Writing Procurement plans
 Procurement manuals and SOPs
 Procurement capacities
 Procurement outsourcing
 Procurement System Assessments
 Procurement Audits

5. Inventory Management

This module elaborates upon the principles of inventory management and various inventory
policies and norms. Focus will be on the importance of having an inventory strategy and its
implementation.
 Understanding inventory
 Basics of Inventory Management
 Push versus Pull Systems
 Centralized versus Decentralized Systems
 Stock records and standard reports
 Service level and safety stock
 Inventory control models
 Minimum and maximum stock-level formula
 Key Performance Indicators
 Inventory Management Systems
 Inventory management as a tool to reduce stock outs and expiries

6. Storage & Distribution

In this module students will be able to gain knowledge of WHO Good Storage and Distribution
Practices, warehouses processes, transportation systems, and techniques on maintaining a cold
chain. Focus will be on design of country distribution systems, effectiveness of the system, and
level of responsiveness.
 The Distribution cycle
 Designing a country distribution network
 Infrastructure requirements
 Flow of products through the distribution system
 Warehouse Processes
 Good Distribution Practices
 Good Storage Practices
 Resources for distribution management
 Cost analysis and performance monitoring
 Information Management Systems
 Outsourcing of the storage and distribution functions
 Risk management

7. Rational Use of Medicines

At the end of this module, learners will be able to understand the concepts of rational medicines
use, its impact upon availability and efficacy of a public health system.
 Understanding rational medicine use
 Understanding irrational medicine use
 Adverse effects
 Underuse versus Overuse
 Impact on medicine quality
 Cost implications
 Communication issues
 Impact on Selection and Quantification

8. PSM Support Functions & Systems

This module introduces learners to the key support functions and systems of PSM such as HR,
Finance, Quality Assurance, Information Systems etc. It helps students gain a thorough
understanding on how these support functions indirectly but significantly affect the
performance of the PSM function. They will also learn how to most efficiently design, implement
and manage them.
 Organization and staffing of the PSM function
 PSM data & the information systems pyramid
 Implementing a Logistics Management Information System
 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance
 Practical approaches to Quality Assurance
 Financial Impact of PSM
 Funding for PSM projects

9. Dissertation

The dissertation will provide an opportunity to the students for applying all the concepts
learned over the past eight modules in a single project. The dissertation would preferably be
based on the situation in the students’ own country/region and suggesting how an identified
problem could be practically addressed. Outstanding dissertation projects will be promoted by
Empower on a best effort basis to be adopted as funded projects by leading public health
organisations.
• The output is expected to be a brief ‘Concept Note’ with more detailed supporting evidence of
one area of particular interest to the student
• Topics are to be discussed and agreed with the course faculty
• The faculty mentor assigned to the student will provide guidance throughout the dissertation

Online course on Procurement of Medicines and Medical supplies

Dear all,

We would like to inform you that we have a new online course open for registration.

Procurement of medicines and medical supplies

Dates: 31st August - 12 September 2015
Level of effort: 4 to 6 hours per week
Cost: 450 euros
Registration deadline: 31st August 2015
Certificates and e-badges will be awarded upon successful completion 

Register onwww.iplusacademy.org

What is the course about?

The course "Procurement of Medicines and Medical Supplies" covers every area of the procurement process with a special focus on procuring essential health commodities. To understand how medicines procurement differs from procurement of other goods, one needs to consider the key characteristics of medicines and health commodities in general (such as international non-proprietary name, storage conditions, shelf life, packaging, quality standards, regulatory requirements, psychotropics/narcotics and patents).

Procurement plays a critical role in ensuring the availability of essential quality-assured medicines at all times at an affordable price for the people that need them.

Often international donor organizations and governmental organizations are involved in funding medical programs, resulting in the need of professionally run procurement processes. This course pays special attention to meeting the most common donor requirements and public procurement regulations.

The course guides the student through all steps of the procurement process, such as supplier selection, how to select the best value offer, contracting, quality assurance, measuring supplier performance and much more.

The objective of the course is to provide students solid knowledge about and a good understanding of the procurement process that will help them implement and/or professionalize procurement processes.

Who is the course meant for?

The procurement course is suitable for procurement/purchase officers, logistic officers, health officers and professionals with a responsibility in procurement, members of tender committees, pharmacists, program managers and supply chain managers in the public and private sector.  There are no specific prerequisites for enrolling in this course. However, prior knowledge about supply chain management or pharmaceuticals will be an advantage.

What topics will be covered?

Introduction to supply chain management, procurement-an overview, medicines and medical supplies, stakeholders in the procurement process, finance in the procurement process, standard operating procedures and working instructions, quality assurance of medicines, introduction to the tender process, supplier selection, procurement methods and tender documents, receipt of quotations, evaluation of quotations and negotiations, client approval and contract award, presenting tender process compliance, purchase order and contract term, measuring supplier performance, basics of transportation and inco terms, managing client expectations, procurement planning, ethics in procurement.

What will you learn?
 

After having successfully completed the module, participants will be able to:

- Understand the specifics of the health supply chain

- Define the different steps in the procurement cycle

- Understand the characteristics of medicines and medical supplies
- Manage the tender process (including supplier selection, receipt of quotations, quote evaluations, negotiations, placing purchase orders and more)
-Develop and use standard operating procedures
- Know how to use the different procurement methodologies and in which situations
- Stakeholder analysis: assess needs to be involved for proper and effective procurement
- Influence of other activities in the medical supply chain on procurement work and reciprocally
- Define strategies to address common challenges in procurement.
- Manage and evaluate procurement activities

How are we going to teach and learn?

The course is taught online on i+academy, our e-learning platform, by expert facilitators from i+solutions. The interactive course materials are presented sequentially under the guidance of the facilitators who assist participants, answer questions and stimulate discussions. Lessons are complemented and enlivened by online activities such as discussion forums, quizzes, and assignments. The course is accessible from anywhere at any time and allows participants easy and regular interactions with the course facilitators and other participants during the learning process.

​

Kind regards

Adebayo Adekola

Senior Consultant

i+solutions

Universal Access to Essential Medicines

phone: +31 0348 748 722

address: Polanerbaan 11, 3447 GN, Woerden, The Netherlands

email: cpiriou@iplussolutions.org/AAdekola@iplussolutions.org

website: www.iplusacademy.org

INFORMATION FOR EISENHOWER FELLOWSHIPS APPLICANTS 2016 Africa Program: OCTOBER 2 – NOVEMBER 18, 2016

Eisenhower Fellowships Eisenhower Fellowships (EF) exists to inspire leaders around the world to challenge themselves to think beyond their current scope, to engage others, including those outside of their current networks, and to leverage their own talents to better the world around them.

Chaired by General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret), EF brings two groups to the U.S. annually, each composed of approximately two dozen outstanding mid-career Fellows (ages 32 – 45), drawn from 53 different countries. Over a seven-week period, each Fellow receives an intensive, individually-designed program in his or her professional field. Fellows are interviewed by high-level in-country nominating committees and selected by a committee at the Eisenhower Fellowships’ headquarters in Philadelphia. For more detailed information on EF, visit www.efworld.org and our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/EisenhowerFellowships.

 Criteria for selection 
Successful candidates demonstrate in their application that they think strategically and have demonstrated the leadership and management skills needed to realize their goals. In addition to more general fellowship objectives, Fellows are required to work on a project throughout the fellowship. The application must clearly describe the project on which the fellowship will be a significant focus. We seek Fellows who have the creativity required to take full advantage of this unparalleled opportunity; the ability to articulate clear goals for their program; and a vision of how they might use the experience to have a consequential impact which betters the world.

Tips for the successful completion of the application 
We recommend that applicants invest time and thought into the written sections of the attached application. The writing sections will weigh heavily in the selection process. This seven-week program is comprised of a five-week personalized travel itinerary in the U.S., preceded and followed by a week of group activities in Philadelphia. Each Fellow’s program is unique, as the Fellow collaborates with an EF Program Officer to align his or her goals with relevant fellowship opportunities that lead to productive exchanges. This process requires significant thought, time and effort on the Fellow’s part prior to arrival in the U.S.

When drafting the list of potential meetings, applicants should keep in mind that regardless of professional background and interests, each itinerary will include visits to large and small cities around the U.S. to provide a broad experience. Although EF will attempt to fulfill appointment requests at senior levels of government, business, and the nonprofit sector, often such meetings can be most effectively facilitated through a Fellow’s pre-existing contacts. It should be noted that Eisenhower Fellowships does not arrange protocol, ceremonial, or celebrity visits (such as Barack or Michelle Obama, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, etc). We also do not arrange meetings to transact business or seek institutional funds.

An Eisenhower Fellowship is a transformational experience leading to consequential impact and lifelong engagement in the global network. The better the applicant can articulate clear fellowship objectives and possible consequential impact, the stronger the application will be.

Other features and requirements
A unique feature of an Eisenhower Fellowship is that we support participation of spouses/partners. A spouse/partner may accompany a Fellow for two to three weeks under EF sponsorship. However, children may not accompany Fellows or their spouses/partners on fellowship travel. Fellows must agree to return to their country of residence at the end of the fellowship period in accordance with U.S. law. Fellowships are awarded for the specific timeframe (listed above) which cannot be modified. Each fellowship is designated for a specific time period with fixed arrival and departure dates and cannot be deferred. It is important to consider carefully whether your professional and personal circumstances will allow you to devote the necessary time to prepare for and to participate in this seven-week fellowship program

SARETI MASTERS SCHOLARSHIPS IN RESEARCH ETHICS 2016

South African Research Ethics Training Initiative (SARETI): Advanced Learning in International Health Research Ethics.

SARETI is a University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg) project, funded by the Fogarty International Center (FIC) of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to offer advanced learning in health research ethics. The programme is aimed at scientists, members of Research Ethics Committees/IRBs, public health personnel, social scientists, philosophers, ethicists, health journalists, lawyers, and other professionals whose work impacts on health.

SARETI is an African programme in health ethics that offers modular, flexible and hands-on learning. Trainees are enabled to develop the expertise required to ensure that health research in Africa has the welfare of individuals and of communities as its primary focus. SARETI's educational programmes vary from one-week intensive short courses to a 2-year Masters programme (an MSocSci with majors in health research ethics).

SARETI announces the availability of scholarships that offer full financial support (travel, course fees, accommodation, stipends) for four Masters' degree students annually. The scholarships are available to professionals involved in health research ethics and health research and who are resident in Africa. Applications from self-funded or sponsored students are also welcome.

Applications for the 2016 programme (which starts in January 2016) are invited. The closing date for applications is Friday, 28 August 2015. For further information and application forms, visit SARETI’s website: http://sareti.ukzn.ac.za or contact:

Mrs Carla Pettit, School of Applied Human Sciences, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag XO1, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Tel: +27 33 260 6162; Fax: +27 33 260 5809; e-mail: pettitc@ukzn.ac.z

ADVERTISEMENT FOR VACANCY- THPS

Plot 254, 3^rd floor, Coco Plaza Building , Toure Drive, Masaki, Dar es Salaam Tanzania, East Africa P.O Box 32605 Dar es Salaam, Tel +255-22-2923107/+255 689 103 046 Fax+255 22 2923108. e – mail ceo@thps.or.tz

ADVERTISEMENT FOR VACANCY.

THPS is an indigenous NGO established under nongovernmental organisation act No 24 of 2002 as part of partnership framework implementation plan between the USG and the Government of Tanzania which calls for an uninterrupted transition of PEPFAR funded HIV and AIDS programs into local entities. THPS works in partnership with the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare in Tanzania (MoHSW) and Regional Administration and local government (PMORALG) with a  goal of ensuring accessible high quality health care services to Tanzania's through establishment and strengthening of comprehensive family focused HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and  Treatment services in Pwani, Kigoma, Mtwara regions and Zanzibar. This is a continuation of the PEPFAR funded broader US Government HIV/AIDS initiatives through Centre for Disease Control Tanzania (CDC) in Tanzania.

As CDC prime awardee; THPS is currently seeking highly experienced, committed and motivated Tanzanians to fill in the following position in Pwani region.

POSITION TITLE:              Clinical Advisor HIV Care and Treatment

REPORTS TO:                     Senior Clinical Advisor

LOCATION:                         Dar Es Salaam with frequent field travel of up to 75%       

OVERALL JOB FUNCTION:

To provide technical support to clinical staffing for provision of multidisciplinary family-focused HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment at THPS supported facilities. This entails HIV counseling and testing at all entry points including, Provider Initiated testing and Counseling (PITC), enrollment of adults and adolescents living with HIV into care and antiretroviral treatment (ART); enhancing retention and minimizing lost to follow up (LTFU), effective adherence and psychosocial support, implementation of collaborative TB/HIV activities, efficient management of commodities  and ongoing mentorship and supportive supervision. S/He will work with the PMTCT/Pediatrics technical advisor to ensure that health care providers are well equipped with skills to  appropriately manage infants, children and adolescents lining with HIV according to national and international standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To provide direct technical assistance to the staff at THPS supported health care facilities; onsite staff capacity building on HIV/AIDS clinical management , clinical mentoring, patient flow analysis, improvement of adherence support systems, strengthen of referral systems, etc.
• To facilitate Provider Initiated Testing and counseling at all key entry points of the health facility to increase identification of PLHIV and their enrollment to PMTCT and Care & Treatment (C&T).
• To implement creatively efforts to support quality pediatric AIDS services.  Work closely with THPS Pediatrics and PMTCT Advisors to implement programs.
• To establish and monitor innovative adherence strategies at THPS supported health facilities and facilitate linkage of  PLHIV groups to the THPS Adherence Officer/Advisor
• To facilitate integration between TB and HIV services including infection control within HIV care and treatment clinics (CTC).
• To ensure that THPS-supported clinical care activities at multiple delivery sites conform to the Tanzanian national guidelines.
• To develop with other Advisors and Director of Programs HIV/AIDS care and treatment related materials, including job aides, protocols, algorithms and other necessary tools.
• To assist the Pwani Regional Manager to develop Annual regional work plan and to review its implementation.
• To assist the Pwani Regional Manager in the development of monthly and quarterly reports.
• To coordinate implementation of clinical HIV/AIDS technical support from THPS in Tanzania
• To coordinate and improve QI initiatives in the region
• To perform any other duties as may be assigned by supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• MD; Master’s degree (MPH or equivalent); Public health training is desirable.
• At least 5 years’ experience in working in HIV care and treatment 
• Extensive clinical experience in care and treatment of people living with  HIV/AIDS
• Experience working in collaboration with local government partners (R/CHMTS) and NGOs.
• Excellent team orientation, openness, responsiveness and conflict management skills
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent English and Swahili oral/written communication
• Excellent interpersonal and management skills.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should send their application letter one page maximum and CV four pages maximum by 31st July, 2015 through email with a subject line for example: Clinical Advisor Pwani Region, to HR@thps.or.tz. Only short listed applicants will be contacted. Please do not attach any certificates when submitting online. THPS is an equal opportunity employer; women and people living with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to apply.

Lab Technician Vacancy- MITU

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) based at the National Institute for Medical Research campus in Mwanza, Tanzania is a collaborative research unit of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the National Institute for Medical Research. The mission of the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit is to contribute to improving health through the development and evaluation of interventions against HIV and other health problems by conducting research, including clinical trials, to the highest international standards; to enhance the capacity to carry out such research in Tanzania and the East African region; and to contribute to the translation of research findings into health policy. MITU is currently collaborating with other international research partners and the World Health Organization to prepare and implement a one-year multicentre clinical trial to test the safety and immunogenicity of a promising vaccine candidate to prevent viral haemorrhagic fever. The study is being conducted in healthy volunteers. The Unit is now inviting applications from motivated and suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position:

1.      Immunology Laboratory Technician

The successful candidate will be responsible for performing Immunology assays and contributing to the running of the research laboratory at National Institute of Medical Research archive (NIMR).

Specific responsibilities

·         Performing tasks in accordance with the GCP and GCLP guidelines.

·         Receipt and processing of human blood samples obtained from patients enrolled in clinical trials for recovery of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and subsequently performing cell counts with the use of both manual and automated techniques.

·         Cryopreservation of blood components.

·         Providing backup support to other laboratory areas including immunoassays such as ELISA.

·         Performing quality control of all performance techniques.

·         Accurate entry of sample information into the laboratory information management system and periodical maintenance of data spreadsheets.

·         Maintaining an inventory of sample aliquots produced and their location and the preparation of samples for transfer to the NIMR Archive.

·         Maintaining any documentation related to research assays and running the laboratory such as standard operating procedures.

·         Maintenance of equipment including keeping daily logs of equipment and routine cleaning of laboratory work areas.

·         Participation in organizing shipment of samples in accordance with the IATA guidelines.

·         Weekly meeting attendance and participation.

·         Following and ensuring strict safety procedures and safety checks.

• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by your supervisor and the Principle investigator

Essential qualifications

·         Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology or a related discipline.

·         At least one year’s work experience as an immunology technician.

·         Ability to draft and follow established Standard Operating Procedures.

·         Ability to organize workflow efficiently.

·         Proficiency using MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

·         Work experience in a research laboratory setting especially using Immunological assays.

Desirable qualifications

·         Post graduate/advanced training in immunology.

·         Ability to multi-task since each clinical protocol may have unique processing requirements.

·         Experience working with clinical trials or research studies.

• Familiarity with GCP and GCLP.

Mode of application:

• Letter of application with details of how you meet EACH of the above criteria and suitability for the post. 
• A daytime mobile telephone number and e-mail contact details.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) including names and addresses of three referees (two must be from your most recent employers).
• Copies of all relevant certificates and memberships and qualifications.

Closing date for applications

• Applications received later than Friday 24^th July 2015 will not be considered
• Interviews will be held at the earliest available opportunity and you will be notified by email if you are selected for interview.

All documents to be sent by email to recruitment@mitu.or.tz

A competitive remuneration package will be offered.

Deputy Trial Manager-Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) based at the National Institute for Medical Research campus in Mwanza, Tanzania is a collaborative research unit of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the National Institute for Medical Research. The mission of the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit is to contribute to improving health through the development and evaluation of interventions against HIV and other health problems by conducting research, including clinical trials, to the highest international standards; to enhance the capacity to carry out such research in Tanzania and the East African region; and to contribute to the translation of research findings into health policy. MITU is currently collaborating with other international research partners and the World Health Organization to prepare and implement a one-year multicentre clinical trial to test the safety and immunogenicity of a promising vaccine candidate to prevent viral haemorrhagic fever. The study is being conducted in healthy volunteers. The Unit is now inviting applications from motivated and suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position:

Deputy Trial Manager

The successful applicant will be a fully-registered medical practitioner, and will ideally have a post graduate qualification in epidemiology or a related field; proven technical expertise in the quality management of clinical trials related to infectious diseases and/or vaccines; experience in clinical/laboratory procedures in research and collaborative research involving human clinical, epidemiological or laboratory outcomes; proven skills and experience in multicentre research.

Specific Responsibilities

Assist the Trial Manager with the day-to-day management of the clinical trial in the Mwanza

·         Assisting the Trial Manager with the day-to-day management of the clinical trial in Mwanza, Tanzania.

·         Assisting the Trial Manager in dealing with clinical results and queries, reviewing case report forms, and other relevant study documentation and maintaining Study Master Files.

·         Assisting with communication between MITU/NIMR, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the trial sponsor and the other trial partners.

·         Coordinating, training and supervising field team staff in MITU/NIMR (and other sites as required) in order to ensure that the trial is conducted to GCP and international trial standards.

·         Participating in meetings and discussions to discuss research progress, findings and any other aspects of the study.

·         Participating in writing up of the trial findings in reports and publications.

·         Assisting with preparation of reports for the trial governance bodies (e.g. Clinical Steering Committee, Steering Committee, Data and Safety Monitoring Board) and the funding agency.

·         Travel to progress and coordination meetings as required, including meetings in East Africa or Europe.

·         Undertaking other duties as may be required by the Principal Investigator of the trial and the Trial Manager.

Essential Qualifications

·         Candidates must be fully-registered medical practitioners, with a medical degree from a recognised university

·         At least one year’s relevant experience working as on clinical trials, or as a research coordinator, based in sub-Saharan Africa.

·         Clinically active within the past 3 years.

·         Evidence of having practical experience in the management of research teams.

·         Evidence of having practical experience of assisting with leading or coordinating of GCP compliant studies including familiarity of study monitoring visits.

·         Evidence of having worked effectively both independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary scientific team.

·         Excellent inter-personal skills and a willingness to work with others to overcome problems as and when they arise.

·         Evidence of having worked effectively in a multicultural environment.

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

·         Ability to relocate to Mwanza to start work for MITU as soon as possible and no later than August 2015.

Desirable Qualifications

·         At least one year of experience working in on early phase clinical trials

·         Experience of working on vaccine-related research studies.

·         Experience of working in sub-Saharan Africa, and ideally in East Africa.

·         A postgraduate qualification in epidemiology or public health or equivalent experience demonstrated through publications.

Mode of application:

• Letter of application with details of how you meet EACH of the above criteria and suitability for the post. 
• A daytime mobile telephone number and e-mail contact details.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) including names and addresses of three referees (two must be from your most recent employers).
• Copies of all relevant certificates and memberships and qualifications.

Closing date for applications

• Applications received later than Friday 24^th July 2015 will not be considered
• Interviews will be held at the earliest available opportunity and you will be notified by email if you are selected for interview.

All documents to be sent by email to recruitment@mitu.or.tz

A competitive remuneration package will be offered.