Pharmacist and International Project Manager (Health Supply Chain) - Pacific Islands

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

A bit about us:

Here at BES International (formerly Beyond Essential Systems/BES) we make awesome, free and open-source technology and put it to good use in the world. Our aim is to provide meaningful data to improve decision-making in low resource settings, supporting better outcomes for individuals and more resilient systems. Our services and products have an impact across health, education, supply chain and disaster management, and we are proud to provide innovative solutions while working closely with local partners in the Asia/Pacific region. We are Strategic Partners of DFAT's Global Health Division under the Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, and work with multiple development partners including WHO, World Bank, UNICEF, UNFPA, and others.

About the role:

As a Pharmacist and International Health Supply Chain Project Manager, you will be responsible for traveling to and supporting all aspects of health supply chains in partner countries including procurement, warehousing, distribution, policy, usage of data for decision-making, and digital system strengthening. We work closely with partner countries with the shared aims of attaining consistently high availability of essential health products, achieving quality products at good value, developing a network of skilled local health supply chain staff, and facilitating regional collaboration. You will be responsible for delivering our supply chain work across a specific set of PICTs, and you'll join an established team of Project Managers working towards achieving similar goals in other countries.

This is a 12 month contract with potential for extension. The successful applicant will be required to spend most of their time in a Pacific Islands Nation with regular trips back to an Australian or NZ home base for R&R purposes. You may also be asked to travel to other Pacific Island Countries to support other projects as required. The expectation would be that the Project Manager is willing and available to spend 90% of their time travelling across multiple trips.

Key responsibilities:

Identify supply chain gaps and design practical, fit-for-purpose improvements across procurement, quantification and forecasting, warehousing, inventory management, dispensing and quality use of medicines, and distribution/last-mile logistics.

Work directly with the national medical store, public hospitals, and public health services to strengthen procurement processes, stock management, and supply planning.

Support the development and roll out of supply chain policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Build the capacity of the national health workforce in core supply chain management practices through mentoring, coaching, and formal training.

Requirements gathering with stakeholders at the partner country Ministry of Health to ensure supply chain reforms and digital systems (including mSupply and Health Supply Hub) meet local needs, workflows, and health system reporting requirements.

Configure and deploy health supply chain software, including mSupply and Health Supply Hub, and translate requirements for the software development team.

Deliver training and hands on support to end users across go lives, new feature roll outs, and post implementation, tailored to individual needs and digital literacy.

Maintain project documentation (work plans, training materials, change management strategy) and contribute to country level and donor reporting.

Provide software demonstrations and trainings as required on BES and related software, including mSupply, Tamanu and Tupaia, and promote BES products and generate revenue leads through collaboration with partner countries and organisations.

Ensure compliance with policies and fiduciary responsibilities in the carrying out of contracts.

Attend meetings and conferences on behalf of BES, including delivering presentations where required.

Other duties as reasonably requested by your manager, including support on other projects if required.

This position reports to the Supply Chain Program Manager and will be a part of the BES Health Supply Chain Project Management Team.

About you:

You'll have a real connection with our purpose and be looking for a role with meaningful influence and impact on the lives of others. You'll be a natural collaborator with initiative and drive.

You'll have:

Tertiary qualifications: At a minimum, Bachelor of PharmacyAt least 2 years' experience working in a pharmacy setting

Ideally, you'll have experience in:

Recent clinical pharmacy practice

Supply chain reform or health systems strengthening programs (e.g. procurement, warehousing, distribution, or pharmaceutical management)

Working with digital health tools

Living or working in low-resource or culturally diverse settings

Personal attributes:

Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to work with individuals from a variety of professions

Resilience working in tough environments, with a high level of autonomy and the ability to solve problems, coupled with the ability to recognise when assistance is required and the willingness to ask for that assistance

Ability to remain calm under pressure

High comfort with and ability to learn new technology

What's in it for you?

The opportunity to lead and contribute to on the ground management of a major digital health and international development project.

The opportunity to live overseas and experience a new place and culture.

What will BES cover with respect to this position?

Rent/accommodation in-country

Return flights to your home country in accordance with a schedule as determined between the Project Manager and their manager

A monthly per diem to cover costs associated with living overseas

Work with a mission-driven team that is committed to transforming healthcare in low-resource settings through technology.

We strongly encourage women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and individuals from other underrepresented communities in the technology and international development sectors to apply.

Beyond Essential Systems is seeking a Pharmacist and International Health Supply Chain Project Manager to lead health supply chain work across Pacific Island nations. The role involves extensive travel (90%), and work on mSupply, Health Supply Hub, and related BES products from Melbourne and overseas bases.

You will collaborate with national health services, design improvements across procurement and distribution, and build local capacity through training and mentoring.