1. Background
The National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) is mandated to procure, store, and distribute medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory commodities to public health facilities in Sierra Leone. To enhance efficiency, transparency, and compliance with both national and international best practices, NMSA is undertaking a comprehensive review and strengthening of its procurement systems. This includes the revision of its Procurement Manual, improvement of contract management frameworks, and development of a drug revolving fund system.
To support this reform agenda, NMSA seeks to engage a Procurement Technical Assistant who will provide technical support in aligning the agency’s procurement systems with national regulatory requirements and donor expectations, while also building internal capacity.
2. Objective of the Assignment
The objective is to support the NMSA Procurement Unit in revising and strengthening its procurement systems, enhancing capacity for supply and demand planning, monitoring procurement performance, in preparation for increased national accountability and donor compliance frameworks.
3. Scope of Work
The Procurement Technical Assistant will undertake the following key tasks:
Procurement Systems Strengthening
- Review and revise the existing NMSA Procurement Manual to align with current national regulations and donor procurement guidelines.
- Provide recommendations for updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in line with international best practices.
- Identify procurement system bottlenecks and propose actionable solutions.
- Capacity Building
- Conduct capacity needs assessment for the NMSA Procurement Unit.
- Build capacity in demand forecasting and supply planning in collaboration with the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services.
Monitoring and Compliance
- Design procurement performance monitoring tools and dashboards.
- Track key procurement indicators to monitor efficiency, compliance, and turnaround time.
- Ensure proper documentation and audit-readiness of procurement records.
Contract Management and Cost Recovery Design Mechanism
- Review contract management practices and provide recommendations for improved oversight, execution, and reporting.
- Support the design of NMSA’s cost recovery model to ensure sustainability and alignment with financing mechanisms.
- Assist in the development of contract monitoring frameworks.
Transition Readiness
- Support assessment of NMSA’s readiness for transition to national procurement ownership.
- Propose a phased transition strategy in alignment with donor exit plans.
- Ensure that procurement practices are embedded with sustainability and institutional resilience
5. Duration of Assignment
The assignment is expected to be completed over a 30-day period, with an initial inception phase followed by implementation and reporting.
6. Qualifications and Experience
- Advanced degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field.
- MCIPS certification is an added advantage.
- Minimum of 10+ years of experience in public procurement, preferably within health supply chain institutions or donor-funded projects.
- Proven experience in procurement system reviews, policy development, and contract management.
- Familiarity with procurement regulations in Sierra Leone (NPPA) and international donor requirements (e.g., World Bank, Global Fund, UN agencies).
- Excellent analytical, communication, and report writing skills.
7. Reporting Line
The Procurement Technical Assistant will report directly to the Director of Procurement, with oversight from the Managing Director of NMSA and periodic engagement with donor technical teams were necessary.
- The consultant will be required to submit.
- Two-page (2) Technical proposal demonstrating how the task will be completed within the time frame
- Excel Financial proposal for the assigned task
- A comprehensive CV detailing experiences with explicit reference to similar Jobs done in the past
- Two referees are available for contact via phone and email.
How to apply
Interested applicants must send the requirements to Gifty_Larbi@wvi.org copying