Short-Term Emergency Coordinator | Cap-Haitien, Haiti | 2024 At Chemonics

Chemonics seeks a short-term emegerncy coordinator for the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project in Haiti to provide emergency coordination and support to establish a warehouse for health commodity storage in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. The position will be based in Cap-Haitien, Haiti and fielding is anticipated in/around the first week of May 2024, with some remote work preceding if needed, and anticipated to be for a duration of 3 months, with possibility to extend.

The GHSC-PSM project is the primary vehicle through which USAID 1) procures and provides health commodities, 2) provides technical assistance to improve partner countries’ management of the supply chain, and 3) collaborates with key international stakeholders to support global health initiatives.

The ongoing insecurity with civil unrest in country, as well as the escalated which began unfolding in February 2024, have resulted in the need for the GHSC-PSM project in Haiti to shift to an emergency phase of operation. In addition to the general insecurity, gang activities and violence have caused blockages across roads and passageways, making it virtually impossible for the project to distribute commodities across the country. As such, the project has noted the critical need to assist in establishing and operate a warehouse, to be located in Cap-Haitien, in the North. The establishment of this warehouse would allow the project to send international shipments directly to Cap-Haitien, completing all customs clearance and receipt processes there, and eliminating the need the go through Port-au-Prince, subsequently circumventing the logistical challenges posed by blocked roads leading out of the capital. Given this, the project is seeking a short-term Emergency Coordinator to establish a warehouse for the storage of health commodities in Cap-Haitien. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Outline plan to establish warehouse for health commodity storage in Cap-Haitien
• In coordination with the GHSC-PSM Haiti Deputy Country Director, assess the specifications of needed warehouse space based on commodities and products anticipated to be received and stored at the new warehouse, including but not limited to required space within warehouse, necessary temperature controls, and any building specifications, and provide written recommendations for the subsequent procurement of the space
• In collaboration with the Deputy Country Director, and based on volumetric needs communicated by GHSC-PSM and the Haiti Ministry of Health (MOH), identify and assess potential warehouses available for rent in Cap-Haitien for the storage of health commodities and produce a comparison table that will be used to inform a procurement
• In collaboration with the home office PMU and field office operations team, negotiate the rent with the selected warehouse owner
• Develop a list and technical specifications of required equipment to be procured by the project (including but not limited to forklifts, generators, pallet stackers, pallet racks, etc.), based on the anticipated list of products, temperature requirements, etc. The document with the list of recommended equipment/products, must include technical specifications, for their procurement
• Anticipate any recruitment and staffing needs for the new warehouse and communicate those with the Deputy Country Director and Director of Operations to establish an appropriate recruitment and staffing plan. This includes identifying, mobilizing, and managing necessary staff and resources needed to establish new warehouse
• Identify and complete any/all necessary in-country clearances, approvals, and registration requirements for the establishment of a new warehouse
• Establish regular data reporting using the available project Warehouse Management Systems.
• Develop and implement effective and relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of all actions related to the warehouse to include receiving of stock, returns, storage bin management, health and safety, etc
• In coordination with the Director of Operations, assist in drafting an RFP for customs clearance services
• Identify and recommend any needs for short-term technical assistance (STTA) to strengthen warehouse operations, management, and reporting, as well as capacity building for warehouse staff
• Establish and measure key performance indicators for the new warehouse
• Review and provide input for solicitations (RFPs/RFQs) for all warehouse space and equipment procurements
• Liaise with Finance Director and Operations Director for production of budget for the establishment of the new warehouse, including estimation of needed resources, equipment, LOE, and any necessary legal and/or administrative/government costs
• Assist in providing information and data to aid in producing success stories and other communication material in collaboration with project office technical staff and home office staff.
• Provide weekly summary reports of warehouse establishment activities to project leadership
• Provide assessment of warehouse storage capacity (volume) after warehouse space is identified and procured
• Ensure that the selection of the warehouse considers its potential to adhere to international standards for pharmaceutical warehouse including World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
• Complete visits to the Port-au-Prince warehouse to support the implementation of emergency SOPs when the security situation permits.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. government regulations, Chemonics’ corporate policies, laws of Haiti, and any supplemental policies developed specifically for GHSC-PSM

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in logistics, supply management, economics, or related field with minimum of 15 years’ experience managing complex logistics operations, preferably in health commodities or pharmaceuticals
• Experience in management and staff supervision
• Past experience in warehouse management and operations
• Familiarity with GHSC-PSM’s requirements and processes preferred
• Previous field operations experience desired (including long-term overseas positions or extended short-term engagements)
• Demonstrated ability to manage and implement activities in a developing country context
• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure and within timelines
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Fluency in written and spoken English required; proficiency in French desirable