Operations Consultant
RA Consultants (SMC-Private) Limited, Pakistan

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is a scientific nonprofit organization that sets standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements manufactured, distributed and consumed worldwide. USP’s drug standards are enforceable in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, and these standards are used in more than 140 countries.

The Promoting the Quality of Medicines (PQM) program is a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by USP. Since 1992, USP has worked in partnership with USAID to support developing countries in addressing critical issues related to medicines quality.

The PQM program provides technical assistance to build capacity of medicines regulatory authorities and quality assurance systems in countries with emergent health systems and it supports manufacturing of quality-assured priority essential medicines for malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and maternal and child health. There is increasing recognition of the burden of poor-quality medicines and their threat to public health, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Falsified and substandard medicines can cause treatment failure and adverse reactions, can increase morbidity and mortality, and may contribute to antimicrobial resistance. These medicines represent not only a waste of scarce resources but also a substantial risk to public health. Further, they risk undermining decades of health investments, including those made by USAID.

PQM is seeking an Operations Consultant to provide administrative and logistics support to the USP PQM Pakistan country team.

The Operations Consultant will support the Chief of Party (COP) with core administrative functions such as Financial Administration, Procurement and Logistics, Inventory, and Information Systems in accordance with USP, USAID and Government of Pakistan regulations under the USP PQM program in Pakistan.

Scope of Work:

FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING
- Prepares operating fund requests to support activities including cash advances, reimbursements, invoicing, and others
- Processes invoice submission to HQ for country operating expenses
- Compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare financial statements, including monthly and annual reports for:
* Aging schedule of outstanding advances and payable
* Monthly and annual financial reports (budget-to-actual)
- Supports Chief of Party and country team in the development of annual work plan budgets and tracking of activities
- Responsible for the documentation of all financial transactions including develop and maintain a comprehensive and efficient filling system

PROCUREMENT AND LOGISTICS
- Coordinates and tracks procurement under approved work plan activities
- Conducts due diligence in support of vendor selection
- Liaises with vendors for selection and negotiation process
- Develops preferred vendor list for country office in line with USP procurement and due diligence protocols
- Works with program staff on workshop/training planning, logistics needs, cash advances, reconciliations, vendor selection for workshops/trainings in
accordance with USP and USAID guidelines
- Manages transportation acquisition and utilization
- Serves as the main point of contact with regards to procurement of all goods and services and logistics needs

OPERATIONS
- Liaises with USP headquarters, partners, and Government of Pakistan to ensure smooth operations
- Develops and maintains a comprehensive and efficient filing system
- Performs other task as assigned

Education and Experience: minimum requirements ·

- Bachelor degree in relevant field ·
- Minimum 2-3 years of practical field experience in operations in Pakistan ·
- Work experience in a USAID or another international donor-funded project in Pakistan required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: ·

- High level of attention to detail ·
- Fluency and proficiency in written and oral English as well as one local language required ·
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills