Position Title: Customs Clearance Advisor

Position Title: Customs Clearance Advisor

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

This scope of work (SOW) sets forth the services to be provided by the Customs Clearance Advisor to SAII Associates Ltd/Gte, an associate company of Chemonics International Inc. in the implementation of the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project in Nigeria.

Background: The purpose of the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program–Procurement and Supply Management single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is to ensure uninterrupted supplies of health commodities to prevent suffering, save lives, and create a brighter future for families around the world. The IDIQ has four task orders that directly support the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and USAID’s family planning and reproductive health program, and maternal new born and child health program. GHSC-PSM provides health commodity procurement services and systems strengthening technical assistance that address all elements of a comprehensive supply chain. All four task orders are implemented in Nigeria.

The Customs Clearance Advisor supports day-to-day oversight on the policies related to import to the documentation for the movement of people, goods, and cargo into and out of the country in support of the GHSC-PSM project in Nigeria.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Support the coordination and implementation of all customs clearance activities for GHSC-PSM procured products to ensure they are delivered in line with national regulations.

Support the review and approval of documentation and shipments for all planned international shipments for GHSC-PSM to ensure they are promptly cleared at international borders for onward delivery to beneficiaries.

Participate in coordination with GHSC-PSM assigned Freight Forwarders and custom clearing agents for smooth monitoring of international and local shipments to final destination.

• Support the development, follow up and tracking of international and local shipments with the freight forwarders and shipping lines to provide prompt update on shipment status.
• Support coordination with the US Embassy and USAID Mission to obtain necessary approvals for the importation of donated products into the country
• Collaborate with GHSC-PSM Home Office assigned international freight forwarder for periodic review of shipment processes for continued quality improve of services.
• Support the development and submission of continuous quality improvements on incidents related to international and local freights of GHSC-PSM-procured products.
• Support the monitoring and facilitation of the payments to local customs clearing agents for clearing services in line with US Embassy approved shipment charges for clearing and delivery of products.
• Support development of appropriate reports on national custom clearing events that will affect product importation.
• Maintain a repository of U.S. Embassy approved customs clearing agents to guide continuous engagement of appropriate agents in line with USG directives.
• Support the verification of the delivery of imported products, once cleared, from the sea/air/ land port to designated warehouses and share proof of delivery with GHSC Home Office
• Maintain a good knowledge and understanding of all office rules and procedures as set forth in the field office policy manual.
• Support achievement of the overall project goals as required to ensure project performance.
• Perform other tasks as directed by Customs Clearance Manager.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree on health sciences, social sciences and management.
• Three to five years of professional experience in importation, customs clearing and managing relationships with relevant authorities at the Nigeria international ports of entry.
• Excellent technical writing and oral presentation skills highly desired
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Ability of use Microsoft Suites required.
• Ability to use procurement ERP system preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel in the field
• Experience working on a USAID or donor-funded project preferred
• Fluency in English is required

Supervision

The Customs Clearance Advisor will report directly to the Custom Clearance Manager.

Working Conditions/Duration of Assignment

This is a long-term position for the life of the contract based in Abuja, Nigeria.