Last Mile Activity (LMA) Advisor
Location: Addis Ababa
Organization: Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Job Description
Background
Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a global health nonprofit that envisions a world where everyone, everywhere, has the opportunity for a healthy life, by working shoulder-to-shoulder with countries and communities to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by building strong, resilient, sustainable health systems.
MSH collaborates with local partners, from Ministries to communities, to strengthen and complement existing health systems. Since 1971, MSH has worked in more than 150 countries to help ensure sustainable, resilient, and equitable access to quality health care around the globe.
Supply Chain Services Activity is a five-year DoS-funded project implemented by MSH and its international and local partners to enhance systems in Ethiopia in an effort to develop a more mature and sustainable supply chains that ensure access to and promote the rational use of quality assured, safe, effective medicine by effectively managing the supply chain services at all levels of the health system.
Overall Responsibilities
The SCS Activity Last Mile Activity (LMA) Advisor will lead and coordinate SCS’s technical assistance to enhance the efficiency and reliability of Ethiopia’s last mile delivery system for essential health commodities. The Advisor will work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS), and private sector logistics partners to expand delivery coverage to more health facilities across the country, ensuring timely and consistent availability of life-saving products and reducing the risk of stockouts at service delivery points. By strengthening the LMD model, the Advisor will contribute to a more resilient and responsive supply chain that improves service readiness and supports better health outcomes.
The LMA Advisor will also support EPSS to strengthen private sector engagement by improving vendor selection processes and establishing clear performance monitoring mechanisms, including defining KPIs, enhancing reporting systems, and creating effective feedback loops. By introducing advanced tools such as route optimization software and proof-of-delivery tracking systems, the advisor will enhance planning, visibility, and traceability while reducing operational costs.
Additionally, the advisor will oversee targeted coaching, mentorship, and hands-on training for EPSS staff on LMD best practices, ensuring lessons learned are documented, standard procedures are developed, and institutional ownership is built. Through systematic capacity transfer, the LMD advisor will help MOH and EPSS achieve sustained operational excellence and long-term technical independence in last mile delivery.
Specific Responsibilities
Under supervision of the Supply Chain Management Lead and in close collaboration with technical teams in SCS Activity, the LMA Advisor will carry out the following responsibilities:
•Support EPSS in scaling up the direct last-mile delivery (LMD) model to reduce stockouts, minimize delays and wastage, and improve supply reliability at health facility level.
•Facilitate the adoption of a unified LMD approach by promoting standardized procedures and clarifying stakeholder roles.
•Introduce and support the application of advanced tools, including
route optimization software, to streamline delivery planning, reduce transit times, and lower transportation costs.
•Assist EPSS in implementing proof-of-delivery tracking systems to verify receipt of commodities at facilities, strengthen accountability, and address discrepancies promptly.
•Support EPSS in defining, tracking, and analyzing key performance indicators, including delivery timeliness, accuracy, tracer product availability, and cost per kilometer, to drive data-informed decision-making, continuous improvement, and cost-effective, timely access to essential commodities at the last mile.
•Organize regular LMD coordination meetings to strengthen collaboration among EPSS, RHBs, and relevant stakeholders.
•Review delivery data, identify operational challenges, and document best practices in collaboration with EPSS, RHBs, and health facilities to enhance service quality and system efficiency.
•Develop evidence-based criteria for selecting priority sites for direct delivery to optimize resource allocation and impact.
•Provide comprehensive support to EPSS in expanding private sector involvement by assisting with the full outsourcing process, including tendering, vendor selection, contracting, and performance monitoring.
•Support EPSS in improving delivery scheduling, route planning, and allocation of transport resources based on demand patterns, facility consumption data, and geographic priorities.
•Monitor adherence to national LMD guidelines, standard operating procedures, and service-level agreements to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery performance across regions.
•Work with EPSS to integrate LMD data into ERP, LMIS, or dashboard platforms, improving real-time visibility of orders, deliveries, and facility status.
•Perform visits to service delivery points, hubs, and transport providers to verify delivery practices, assess bottlenecks, and provide actionable on-site recommendations.
•Ensure that commodities requiring cold chain or sensitive handling are transported according to national standards and provide guidance to transport partners on appropriate practices.
•Coordinate and deliver training programs for EPSS staff, regional teams, and private logistics providers on delivery standards, digital tools, performance monitoring, and reporting.
•Assist EPSS in monitoring vendor adherence to contract terms, service requirements, and KPIs, and recommend corrective actions or contract revisions when needed.
•Produce regular progress reports, performance dashboards, lessons
learned documents, and technical briefs for EPSS leadership and implementing partners.
•Coordinate urgent delivery needs during outbreaks, disasters, or commodity shortages, ensuring rapid mobilization of transport assets and close monitoring of delivery outcomes.
•Represent the project in relevant task forces, coordination forums, and technical working groups at subnational level.
•Promote the institutionalization and sustainability of SCS-supported initiatives through staff engagement, capacity building, thorough documentation, and effective communication of achievements.
•Perform additional responsibilities assigned by the supervisor in alignment with the overall objectives of the role.
QUALIFICATIONS
A) Education
Advanced degree in Pharmacy, Supply Chain Management Public Health or a closely related field; or a commensurate combination of education and professional experience.
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B) Experience
- Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in pharmaceutical supply chain management, with at least three (3) years of specialized experience in Last mile Distribution of pharmaceuticals, and other public health commodities in conflict affected areas.
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience working on U.S. government or other donor-funded projects, or with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is preferred.
C) Knowledge and Skills
•Strong understanding of last-mile delivery operations within major public health programs (HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, MNCH), including the unique commodity needs and distribution requirements in Ethiopia.
•Comprehensive knowledge of Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical supply chain system, policies, and regulations, with specific expertise in the dynamics affecting last-mile delivery.
•Proven experience providing high-level strategic and technical support to public sector supply chain systems, particularly in last-mile distribution and humanitarian or low-resource settings.
•Demonstrated ability to coordinate and collaborate with implementing partners and government counterparts to execute complex last-mile delivery initiatives.
•Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage diverse operational activities and ensure effective team collaboration.
•Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the capacity to troubleshoot and resolve last-mile operational challenges in real time.
D) Core Job Competencies:
▪Results seeker – Proactive, meets deadlines, identifies actions, and achieves goals.
▪Innovator – thinks creatively, anticipates changes, and produces solutions.
▪Adaptor – stays calm under pressure and handles constructive criticism well.
▪Complier – follows procedures and encourages others to do as well.
▪Problem Solver – Identifies issues, organizes the facts and designs solution.
▪Networker – Proactively engages stakeholders to design solutions
MSH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.
