Customs Clearance Officer

Job description

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a global health nonprofit that makes foundational changes to health systems to protect people from diseases and improve their health. MSH collaborates with local partners, from the Ministry to the community, to strengthen and complement existing health systems. Since 1971, MSH has worked in more than 150 countries to help ensure sustainable, resilient, and equitable access to quality health care around the globe. OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES The Customs Clearance Officer is responsible for overseeing the coordination of shipments and customs clearance processes for commodities procured by U.S Government (USG) with a focus on HIV and malaria commodities . This role ensures the efficient and timely importation of goods by managing relationships with clearing agents, consignees, the Cameroonian Department of Pharmacy, Medicines, and Laboratories (DPML) , US Department of State, and other actors and partners involved in moving products from delivery at the port of entry to storage to service delivery points . The Officer i s responsible for obtaining pre-import permits and import releases, preparing necessary documentation, and securing required approvals such as clearing agent delegation letters, duty-free exemptions, and other consignment-related documents. Additionally, the role involves m aintaining and updating shipment trackers, providing real-time shipment status updates, and ensuring compliance with import regulations. Through close coordination with key stakeholders, the Offic er plays a critical role in f acilitating the seamless and efficient clearance of essential health commodities. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership Support & Coordination ( 30 %) Support the development of inbound logistics strategies and action plans, mainly on shipment tracking and customs clearance. Provide technical guidance and strategic recommendations to enhance customs clearance, efficiency and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with in-country freight forwarding agents and regulatory authorities to enhance efficiency and compliance. Work closely with warehouse and distribution teams to ensure timely delivery, reconciling received quantities with purchase orders and invoices. Strengthen coordination with key partners to streamline the clearance of health commodities. Contribute to the development and execution of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Assist in implementing key performance indicators (KPIs) for effective monitoring and evaluation of customs clearance performance. Actively participate in logistics review meetings, cluster meetings, and relevant technical working group (TWG) meetings at different levels . Advocate for the adoption of best practices in supply chain management especially with customs clearance, ensuring alignment with global standards and donor expectations. Represent the organization in high-level policy discussions, technical working groups, and international forums related to customs clearance issues. Customs Clearance Operations ( 5 0 %) Oversee customs clearance operations by monitoring incoming shipments, processing documentation, and ensuring compliance with policies and regulations. Review export documentation, including Air Way Bills, Bills of Lading, and packing lists, to verify accuracy, completeness, and adherence to government regulations for timely clearance of USG-procured Malaria pharmaceuticals and commodities. Obtain pre-import permits for all procured and imported commodities from DPML and other relevant government authorities. Secure necessary documentation, including clearing agent delegation letters, duty-free waivers, and consignee authorizations for USG-consigned shipments. Track and coordinate shipments with freight forwarders and shipping lines, updating internal tracking systems and expediting clearance for sensitive items such as cold chain, short- shelf-life , and high-priority commodities. Collect, document, and maintain records of final customs declarations, proof of deliveries, and consignee receipts. Report and document transit incidents, including shipment discrepancies, stock imbalances, or delays, and initiate investigations and corrective actions to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Facilitate product verification to ensure compliance with national standards. Risk Monitoring & Compliance ( 1 0%) Generate and submit a monthly health program commodity pipeline risk assessments for USG procured pharmaceuticals. Identify potential supply chain risks, pertinent to customs clearance and develop mitigation strategies. Ensure compliance with established regulatory policies and procedures General (10%) Engage in other technical assignments and collaborative tasks as directed by the Project Director and Ministry of Public Health and DPML leadership, contributing to the optimization of supply chain management through the application of specialized expertise of the position. Execute technical tasks and responsibilities as directed by the management, adhering to established protocols within project objectives . Prepare and submit weekly and monthly action plans and progress reports to the Project Directo r . Prepare and submit periodic reports to donors, government agencies, and other stakeholders, summarizing key activities, challenges, and recommendations. Document and report project achievements, including success stories and activity summaries. Contribute to proposal development and fundraising efforts by providing technical input on customs clearance areas of supply chain management. QUALIFICATIONS Education Bachelor’s degree in supply chain man agement, Procurement, Transportation, Business Administration, Man agement, or a related field from a recognized institution. Experience Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree or 4 years with a master’s degree. At least 2 (t wo ) years’ experience working on a U.S. Government or other donor-funded project, or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) preferred. Proven experience in shipping, freight logistics , customs, or procurement. Prior experience in man aging the custom clearance of pharmaceuticals or medical laboratory commodities is preferred. Knowledge and Skills Basic understanding of the operational and programmatic aspects of major public health programs, such as HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, and MNCH, including their specific commodity requirements. Comprehensive knowledge of the Cameroonian pharmaceutical supply chain sector and related regulations. Hands on experience in product import and custom clearance process of Cameroon as applied to donated products ais highly desired. Fluency in French required; fluency in English preferred. Demonstrated ability to work with other implementing partners in implementing complex programs. Skilled in using ERP system, and generate , analyze and produce product procurement related data for decision-making. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint. Strong organizational abilities and proven capacity to collaborate effectively within a team-oriented environment. Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and effective communication abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to identify and resolve operational challenges. Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to prioritize and man age a wide range of tasks and activities. Strong planning, analytical and organizational skills. These will be demonstrated in the ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and man age a variety of activities with attention to detail. Working independently within expressed parameters, regularly scheduled tasks and adherence to strict deadlines is essential. Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in a complex and fast paced environment. Willingness and ability to travel within Cameroon as required . MSH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. MSH complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, and all related applicable regulations. Know Your Rights - Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (English) Know Your Rights - Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (Spanish)