Categories: Vacancies, June 2026

Deputy Chief of Party/USAID/Ethiopia/Supply Chain

Location: Addis Ababa

Deadline: Dec 4, 2024

Job Description

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party for a potential five-year Supply Chain for Health Improvement Program in Ethiopia. The purpose of the program is to develop the capacity of local systems, institutions, and individuals to sustainably manage the health supply chain and to strengthen pharmaceutical services at all levels including the community level, thereby ensuring uninterrupted availability of life saving commodities at service delivery points. This will include a focus on a strategic shift in the public sector’s role in supply chain and pharmaceutical management from beyond being simply operators and service providers to becoming stewards of commodity and service availability and security, including strengthening private sector partnerships to provide operational support.

In general, the focus of the activity will be supporting the Government of Ethiopia (GOE), specifically the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Services (EPSS) and respective sub-national leadership, private sector, and other local actors to manage and implement the supply chain and pharmaceutical services to support delivery of quality, essential health services for Ethiopian citizens.

This position is subject to donor approval.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will be responsible for all Supply Chain Strengthening activity (SCS) and technical direction, ensuring that staffing is aligned with the SCS vision, goals, and plans to achieve the SCS results. With guidance and support of the Chief of Party (COP), the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will coordinate the provision of technical services, harmonize efforts and maximize synergy and integration between project program areas and units (Pharmaceutical Systems and Supply Chain). The DCOP will set a positive tone for the entire project and inspire staff to apply results-based approaches for timely delivery of services to the clients we serve including but not limited to timely producing high-quality documentation of project’s successes and lessons learned for local and international audiences, as well as quarterly reports.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY

Provide technical leadership and managerial oversight for the project and ensure the efficient implementation of project activities and the timely reporting of those activities to regional and country specific donors, and MSH headquarters.

Coordinate project liaison and collaboration with partners, donors, various USAID country missions, clients and stakeholders, including MSH headquarters. Maintain a USAID/SCS partnership that engenders trust and respect and builds USAID’s confidence in MSH’s ability to get the job done.

Work in close collaboration with the project leadership team to ensure coordinated and effective operational support for the project and for MSH within the various countries and the region.

Serve as a member of the Ethiopia Leadership Team.

With the F&A Director, adapt and implement management systems with standard operating procedures to administer all activities funded by the agreement.

Promote a team approach that emphasizes high level performance, creative approaches, the achievement of personal and project goals and a collegial approach that is focused on assisting one another to succeed for project staff in Ethiopia, as well as the support team members in the Home Office.

Ensure effective coordination is established and maintained with the relevant MSH country Operational Support Team (OST).

When appropriate, act in place of the COP.

Advise the COP in alignment of human resources with project work plans and emerging SOW from the donors, MSH and partners including on external sourcing of human resources and consultants.

The DCOP will set direction and coordinate annual workplan development, implementation, and review. S/he will ensure alignment with regional frameworks and strategies, national and donor strategies in each country – including Ethiopia strategies. The DCOP will identify opportunities for integrated planning and implementation creating synergies between various program areas.

The DCOP shall guide and coach project staff in leveraging project, non-project and community resources through the establishment and maintenance of partnerships and networks.

S/he will direct efforts to write concept notes and new programs to address emerging health and programming challenges identified by donors, host countries or through the work we do.

Contribute to a knowledge management system where the donor vision and government values permeate through our clients to reach beneficiary communities, and the learning from grassroots and countries is documented and shared to influence new programming at national and regional levels.

QUALIFICATIONS

A Graduate degree or equivalent in fields relevant to the work implemented by SCS such as public health, health supply chain, pharmacy and health science-related areas. While experience will be valued more highly than academic training, candidates with a less than a graduate degree, but relevant post-education experience, will be considered.

A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the public health supply chain of which over five (5) years in management positions.

A minimum of four (4) years of recent project management experience for programs of similar magnitude and complexity in developing countries.

Demonstrated oral and written communication skills in collaboratively engaging with stakeholders, excellent interpersonal skill and result-driven attitude

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior-level colleagues, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with government agencies, NGOs, private sector groups, USAID and other donor organizations.
Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.

Demonstrated strategic agility, diplomacy, conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.

Must possess language skills at the following Foreign Service Institute proficiency level or equivalent: Amharic Level IV; and English Level IV.

Local candidates strongly preferred.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status.