The purpose of the Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) Program is to ensure uninterrupted supplies of health commodities in support of United States Government (USG)-funded public health initiatives around the world. The project provides direct procurement and supply chain management support to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI); Population and Reproductive Health and USAID’s Newborn Child and Maternal Health programs. In supporting USG-funded global health activities, GHSC-PSM will develop and manage a wide array of services for health commodity procurement and related systems strengthening technical assistance encompassing different elements of a comprehensive supply chain.

At the country level, GHSC-PSM supports country strategies and priorities that fall under the following three project objectives:

• Global Commodity Procurement and Logistics
• Systems Strengthening Technical Assistance
• Global Collaboration to Improve Long-Term Availability of Health Commodities

Purpose

The Import and Customs Clearance Specialist is responsible for coordinating the shipments and clearance processes of commodities procured by GHSC-PSM. He/she is responsible for coordinating and communicating with the clearing agents, consignees (Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency (EPSA), USAID, other partners like PSI and ICAP), Ethiopian Food, and Drug Authority of Ethiopia (EFDA) and the Ethiopian Customs Authority. He/She takes the responsibility of requesting and obtaining pre-import permits for all imported commodities from EFDA. He/She is also responsible for preparing documentation and request and obtain clearing agent delegation letter, duty free exemptions and other required letters and documents from consignee. He/she is also responsible for updating shipment trackers and provide updates up on request.

Specific Responsibilities:

•  Perform and implement all customs clearance activities such as following upcoming shipment, documents transactions and day-to-day related activities in accordance with the objectives, policies, and procedures.
•  Review suppliers’ export documentation such as air waybill, bill of lading, packing lists, etc. to ensure accuracy, completeness and compliance with government regulations and prepare the required documentation and obtain endorsement from the necessary Ethiopia government agencies for expeditious clearance of GHSC-PSM procured commodities
•  Request and obtain pre-import permits for all commodities procured and imported by GHSCPSM from EFDA or other government offices.
•  Request and obtain clearing agent delegation letter and other required letters and documents from consignee and request duty free waivers from USAID for all USAID consigned shipment.
• Follow up, track and trace shipments and documentation with the freight forwarders and shipping lines and update the in-house trackers. Ensure that sensitive shipments (cold chain, short shelf life, urgently required products and high-volume shipments) are clear and delivered to consignee within stipulated period.
•  Work in collaboration with the in-country freight forwarding agent to monitor the clearance process through customs.
• Notify warehouse and distribution team on delivery of shipments to consignee warehouses.
•  Support the warehouse and distribution team in reconciling the delivered quantities with the purchase orders and Invoices.
•  Coordinate with other partners, such as PSI and ICAP in matters relating to timely clearance and delivery of commodities.
• Collect and document final customs declarations, proof of deliveries and consignees receiving documents for commodities.
• Capture and report incidents that occurs during transit of shipments for remedial action.
•  Initiate, investigate and process claims for damaged shipments.
•  Prepare and disseminate periodic reports with respect to Import and customs clearance activities.
•  Carry out additional responsibilities and other duties assigned from time-to-time by procurement and customs clearance director or his/her designee

Level of Effort and Location

•  This long-term position will be based in of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Supervision

•  The Import and Customs Clearance Specialist will report to the Procurement and Customs Clearance Director

Job Qualifications

• University degree in Supply chain, logistics, transportation, Business Administration, Management, or related field from recognized institution.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience for bachelor’s degree or 3 years relevant work experience for master’s degree
• Must have experience in shipping and freight logistics, customs, or procurement.
• Experience with pharmaceuticals or laboratory commodities preferred.
• Demonstrated skills in coordination and communication.
• Demonstrated intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications including Word, Excel, Project, and Power Point
• Good knowledge in USAID rules and regulations, experience in international NGO preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a culturally diverse staff, clients, and consultants.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and ability to meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality. English and Amharic fluency including business terminology require