Supply Chain Lead, Uganda

The Vaccine Supply Chain Lead, Uganda, leads ThinkWell’s technical support to the Uganda Ministry of Health (UNEPI) in adapting and rolling out the vaccine Last-Mile Distribution (vLMD) strategy nationwide, under Gavi-funded technical assistance to the Ministry. The role combines deep vaccine supply chain expertise with hands-on team leadership, guiding the mapping of distribution points, the design of optimized distribution routes, and district-level roll-out across all 136 districts of Uganda. Beyond this technical workstream, the Vaccine Supply Chain Lead oversees the wider engagement,  leads communication with our partners and other stakeholders. The Vaccine Supply Chain Lead, Uganda reports to the ThinkWell Project Manager for the Uganda engagement.

The Vaccine Supply Chain Lead, Uganda is an experienced vaccine or health commodity supply chain professional with a strong track record in last-mile distribution and a demonstrated ability to lead technical teams. This individual brings substantial technical expertise in distribution planning, mapping and route optimization, and works closely with UNEPI, district health teams and other Gavi partners to strengthen vaccine availability at the last mile. The Vaccine Supply Chain Lead, Uganda supervises ThinkWell’s district coordination and technical staff on the project and is accountable for the quality and timeliness of project deliverables.

This is a full-time position is based in Kampala, Uganda, with potentially regular travel to districts. Candidates must currently reside in Uganda or hold the right to live and work in Uganda. This position is contingent upon funding, from 1st January – 31st December 2027, with potential extension beyond 2027.

vLMD Strategy Adaptation & Nationwide Roll-Out

• Lead adaptation of the vaccine Last-Mile Distribution (vLMD) strategy to the Uganda context, in close coordination with UNEPI.
• Drive nationwide roll-out of the adapted vLMD model across all 136 districts, including district-level planning and sequencing.
• Develop training and capacity-building materials and lead district-level training on the vLMD model.
• Monitor implementation of the adapted vLMD model, document lessons learned, and recommend refinements to improve stock availability and vaccine management practices.

Distribution Mapping & Route Optimization

• Oversee mapping of all distribution points across the 136 districts, using GIS and other mapping tools
• Develop optimized distribution route plans that strengthen vaccine availability and efficiency at the last mile. 
• Conduct accessibility assessments of distribution points and identify efficiency improvement opportunities
• Prepare route optimization reports and recommendations for UNEPI and Gavi, grounded in field data and district input. 

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Manage and supervise ThinkWell’s district coordination and technical staff working on the vLMD roll-out, including the vLMD Implementation Specialist(s) and district-level teams.
• Coordinate with UNEPI, Gavi and other implementing partners on vLMD roll-out progress, risks and timelines
• Ensure quality and timeliness of quarterly monitoring reports, lessons-learned documentation and other project deliverables.
• Represent ThinkWell in quarterly TCC/ICC and EPI performance review meetings related to the vLMD workstream. 

Programme Oversight & Partner Engagement

• Serve as ThinkWell’s in-country lead for the overall Gavi engagement, maintaining oversight of progress and quality across all work activities.
• Build and maintain a strong working relationship with partners.
• Act as a senior ThinkWell representative in engagements with Gavi, UNEPI leadership and other stakeholders on programme-wide matters, escalating risks and issues as needed.
• Coordinate consolidated reporting across the full award, working with partners to ensure ThinkWell submits a coherent, unified picture of progress to Gavi.

We are:

ThinkWell core values are our fundamental organizational guiding principles.  They define our corporate culture, influence our behavior at work and help us achieve our mission.  Our values are:

Think big

Influence the conversation

Empower others

Be exceptional

Always question

Relate authentically

Evolve by learning

you are:

ThinkWell core competencies are foundational skills and behaviors that align with our values and are expected of all employees.

An entrepreneurial, results-oriented ‘do-er’ with a willingness to take risk, think big and challenge conventional wisdom.

A change maker who reaches independent judgement with an open mind, influences the conversation, and seeks innovation.

Able to help create an empowering environment in which everyone feels free to take initiative, be accountable and fail intelligently (learn from mistakes).

A collaborative colleague who engages constructively with people from different cultures, orientations, and perspectives and maintains positive relations in a virtual world.

Principally motivated by a growth mindset, meaning the pursuit of knowledge, experience, and self-improvement.  You always question and continuously learn.

Authentic, honest, direct, self-aware and open to giving and receiving feedback

1.    Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, pharmacy, public health or a related field (Master’s preferred), with a minimum of 7 years of experience in vaccine or health commodity supply chain, logistics, or distribution;

2.    Demonstrated technical expertise in vaccine Last-Mile Distribution (vLMD) or comparable last-mile health commodity distribution models, including strategy adaptation and district-level roll-out;

3.    Hands-on experience mapping distribution points and developing optimized distribution route plans, ideally using GIS or route-optimization tools, and working knowledge of vaccine cold chain management, and familiarity with Uganda’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) supply chain systems;

4.    At least 2–3 years of experience managing or supervising technical and/or field-based teams, including planning, coordination and performance oversight; 

5.    Experience working with or supporting Uganda’s Ministry of Health/UNEPI, district health teams, or similar government immunization programs strongly preferred;

6.    Familiarity with Gavi-funded programs and donor compliance and reporting requirements is an advantage;

7.    Ability to develop and deliver training and capacity-building materials for district-level health staff;

8.    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience in monitoring, evaluation and lessons-learned documentation;

9.    A collaborative leader able to rally a distributed field team around shared project goals;

10. A thoughtful systems thinker with a grounded, pragmatic understanding of the complexities of Uganda’s immunization supply chain;

11. Demonstrated ability to engage effectively at a senior level with government counterparts, donors, implementing partners and other stakeholders, including in multi-partner or consortium arrangements;

12. Strong report-writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences;

13.  Must be based in Uganda, or hold the right to live and work in Uganda; full English fluency required;

14.  Prior experience in a similar Gavi- or donor-funded immunization supply chain project, ideally within a multi-partner consortium, is an advantage

15.  Outstanding cross-cultural communication skills, including the ability to relate respectfully with staff at all levels, and to work effectively with district health teams across Uganda;

16.  Ability and willingness to travel to districts across Uganda.