Background
Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is leading  the implementation of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) grant for the Strengthening Supply Chain Systems (SSCS) program. Its focus is to support self-sustaining, responsive, uninterrupted, accountable delivery of quality-assured medicines and supplies to public and private-not-for-profit health facilities. It will improve the performance of key actors all along the supply chain; advance transparent governance and effective, data-informed policies and regulations; and strengthen local capacities to accelerate Uganda’s progress on its Journey to Self-Reliance. SSCS will provide technical assistance to all USG Implementing Partners (USAID, CDC, and DOD) operating at the subnational level and deliver other assistance to improve the capacity of district health offices, health facilities, and medical stores. This project will strengthen the health system to more effectively combat infectious and non- communicable diseases and improve health services and outcomes for all of Uganda’s families and
communities.

The 2018 National Supply Chain Assessment (NSCA) assessed eleven different modules of which distribution was part. To achieve on-time distribution of health commodities to service delivery points, it is important that the medical stores’ distribution plans are structured and monitored. The NSCA assessed the following areas for the two central medical warehouses, existence of a distribution plan, consideration of appropriate factors for optimizing distributions, appropriate policies and procedures, active recording and monitoring of cost and transit data, and appropriate
mechanisms to ensure safety and quality of products during transit. Joint Medical Store scored 60 percent compared to National Medical Store with a score of 82 percent. Contributors to this low score are a lack of data management system for capture of transport data, a lack of Key Performance Indicators for monitoring transportation activities, and a lack of key vehicle or product considerations during route planning.

The report further documented the following regarding JMS:
JMS publishes an approved distribution plan and communicates schedules to facilities. The distribution routes are preplanned with routes reviewed biannually. While routing at JMS does not consider truck capacity or product volumes, distribution is integrated whenever possible. Policies are
in place at JMS that cover distribution and include cold chain, transport of expired drugs, security, storage during transport, and documentation, and outbound shipments stocks are reconciled with proofs of delivery. For security purposes, JMS has requirements in place for trucks and personnel and an established process for documenting loss incidents. For security management, JMS uses integrated audit procedures at beginning/end, along with barcode scanning, and performs unannounced inspections.

SSCS is looking for a qualified person for short term technical assistance to review and provide clear recommendations for improvement of JMS distribution processes.

Objectives of the consultancy
1. To review JMS distribution processes in line with NSCA 2018 findings to highlight persisting and emerging challenges.
2. To provide feasible recommendations for improvement of JMS distribution processes and routes

Methodology
The STTA will review JMS distribution processes including standard operating procedures and any anuals if applicable to ensure distribution responsiveness through optimized routing, timeliness, and product quality at the time of delivery to the health facilities. S/he will conduct key informant interviews with key JMS staff, documents verification, assess risk management through the distribution process and where necessary conduct site visits to selected health facilities. The STTA will be responsible for recommending and developing tools and standard operating
procedures while coordinating and rallying the board, leadership team, senior management and task holders to accept and successfully manage the recommended changes.

Specific Tasks:
The specific tasks to be undertaken are:
1. The STTA will develop and use credible assessment tools to assess the general requirements for good distribution practices.
2. Review the existing distribution system to ensure that it meets the objective of ensuring improved timeliness of delivery, efficient route plans, including appropriate transport conditions and dispatch procedures.
3. Review the reverse logistics system and propose changes where necessary.
4. Review the distribution vehicles security and monitoring system.
5. Address the NSCA 2018 recommendations regarding distribution.

Outputs/Deliverables:
 Inception report and debrief to JMS, SSCS and USAID
 Final report covering specific tasks and detailing corrective actions.
 Power point presentation for JMS to facilitate dissemination of findings.
 Out brief to JMS, SSCS and USAID

Duration of the assignment
21 working days from contract signing date

Skills experience and qualifications
 Bachelor of Pharmacy, supply chain, logistics management and any other relevant qualifications
 At least 8 years’ experience in the field of pharmaceuticals, warehousing and distribution with demonstrated evidence of doing similar work.
 Experience and knowledge of good distribution of pharmaceutical products
 High standards of professional conduct thereby protecting the integrity and the reputation of JMS

  Excellent organisational, analytical and reporting skills and proven ability to produce high-quality
results.