Technical Advisor, Medicines Access

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a US-based, global public health organization with a mission to prevent 100 million deaths from heart disease and to make the world safer from epidemics. Since 2017, Resolve to Save Lives has partnered with low-and middle-income country governments, multilateral agencies, academic and other civil society partners, and communities to implement policies and programs to treat and control hypertension, reduce sodium intake, eliminate artificial trans fats, and strengthen systems for epidemic prevention. 

Resolve to Save Lives Services Pvt. Ltd. India is a wholly owned subsidiary of RTSL, Inc. USA. Read more about our work at resolvetosavelives.org. 

The Cardiovascular Health (CVH) unit at RTSL provides technical assistance in developing cardiovascular disease prevention programs to help countries improve their people's heart health. Working with our partners to improve the control of high blood pressure, reduce salt intake, and eliminate transfat from the global food supply, the CVH team has helped save countless lives from cardiovascular disease.  

Position Purpose

The Technical Advisor, Medicines Access, leads on planning, partner and government engagement, technical support and monitoring efforts aimed at ensuring strong supply chain systems for hypertension and diabetes drugs and diagnostics for the CVH program in India. The incumbent reports to and works directly with the Technical Director to assist CVH program implementation, advocacy and works closely with the senior technical and managerial team at Resolve to Save Lives, the Government of India and state government, partners and other relevant stakeholders for effective implementation of strategies for improving cardiovascular health with a focus on hypertension control programming. The incumbent is also expected to share lessons and provide technical support on supply chain interventions for Resolve to Save Lives supported hypertension control programs. 

This position is open to candidates based in Delhi, India. The position is open to remote work but will be required to travel to project sites as needed. 

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Supply Chain Strengthening & Drug Availability

• Lead initiatives for uninterrupted drug availability in RTSL-supported CVH projects, conduct supply chain assessments, identify areas of improvement and provide technical assistance. 
• Develop/disseminate tools for requirement forecasting and budgeting to support adequate sourcing of hypertension and diabetes protocol drugs and diagnostics. 
• Provide technical assistance for strengthening procurement system, processes for timely and adequate sourcing of drugs and last-mile drug delivery.

Policy and Strategy 

• Lead engagement with NHSRC for strengthening procurement systems, last-mile delivery of drugs, facilitating the creation of national-level monitoring system for drug availability.
• Support states in finalization/ revision of hypertension and diabetes treatment protocols and for the inclusion of SPCs and statins. 
• Support the adoption of a policy at National and State levels for procurement of validated digital BP monitors for HTN and MCH programs.

Capacity Building & Skill Enhancement 

• Develop training materials, guidelines, and job aids for skill enhancement of supply-chain handlers for inventory planning and equitable distribution of HTN and DM drugs. 
• Build the capacity of project staff and support the skill enhancement of healthcare providers at state and district levels in order to strengthen PSM systems for HTN and DM drugs.

Monitoring & Stakeholder Coordination 

• Develop and support the implementation of a robust data collection, reporting and monitoring system for the assessment of drug availability up to the health facility level and support digitalization as appropriate.
• Visit the selected program sites at desired intervals for supportive supervision and monitoring to strengthen drug availability and overall quality of care.
• Coordinate closely with the team members, government, partners, stakeholders, and other agencies for effective implementation of the RTSL-supported projects and programs. 
• Contribute to research related to the availability, access, and affordability of essential medicines in close collaboration with RTSL’s partners. 
• Effectively represent the organization to various stakeholders on different platforms.

Miscellaneous 

• Any other work that may be assigned by the Executive Director or Technical Director for advancing RTSL CVH programming or any newer initiatives. 
• Work in close coordination with the Executive Director, Technical Director, and other team members, and contribute to other activities that are considered relevant for the effective planning and implementation of RTSL’s activities in India. 

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or master’s degree in public health or Health Administration or MBBS with a strong orientation to drug supply management 

Experience and training  

• At least 8 years experience related to public health supply chain management 
• Experience working on drug procurement within the government health sector  
• Deep experience providing technical guidance and capacity-building support in evaluating data, applying forecasting models, assessing drug supply status and related logistics
• Experience planning and ensuring implementation of drug logistics management practices, including developing Standard Operating Procedures

Skills and abilities

• Strong partnership management skills with the ability to effectively engage, collaborate with, and advocate to senior health functionaries at the national and state level, including government, donors, private sector, and other stakeholders  
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills and systems thinking 
• Able to communicate strategic and complex technical issues clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences both orally and in writing 
• Experience developing training manuals and materials and overseeing training of different cadres of staff  
• Demonstrates initiative, tact, diplomacy and excellent judgement 

Other: 

• Able to work remotely and travel to project sites

Compensation and Benefits 

Resolve to Save Lives prides itself on cultivating a supportive, connected remote team doing work that matters. We do everything possible to ensure our employees are connected and set up for success. 

The salary for this role is competitive and set according to national labor rates for the international NGO sector in India. The exact offer will be determined by various factors, such as the candidate's skills and experience relative to the requirements of the role. 

In addition to a competitive salary, Resolve to Save Lives provides a generous package of benefits, including: 

• Health insurance for you and your dependents 
• Contributions toward retirement  
• Paid annual leave and sick leave, in addition to public holidays 
• Two paid, week-long organization-wide breaks at mid-year and end-of-year  
• Professional development and home office setup benefits 
• Up-to-date computer equipment 

RTSL believes its programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We encourage applications from and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, organ donor status, or status as a veteran. Resolve to Save Lives complies with all applicable US EEO laws.