By uniting with one voice through this transformative programme, Gavi, the Global Fund, and USAID will increase supply chain efficiency and consequently improve health outcomes for many in lower- and middle-income countries struggling to access medicines or other health commodities.
Managed by People that Deliver (PtD) – a global coalition hosted by UNICEF Supply Division – STEP 2.0 is a programme that is specifically tailored to the needs of health supply chain leaders and managers. Crucially, it blends elements of self-paced learning, facilitator-led training, on-the-job application of leadership skills and coaching support.
It builds on Gavi’s original model, developed in 2015, which enhances the management capacity of immunisation supply chains through a structured training programme. With the support of the UPS Foundation and the IFPW Foundation and its member partner, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), over 300 participants from 22 countries benefitted from the original STEP programme.
What makes STEP unique is that it pairs public health supply chain leaders with private sector supply experts. And STEP 2.0 goes even further by leveraging the technical strengths of each organisation’s supply chain leadership programs, including USAID's Lead Lab Initiative and the Transformational Leadership Program (a change management programme for supply chain executives).
Dr. Seth Berkley, Gavi CEO, explained the important skills gap that STEP 2.0 aims to address: “Leadership skills are critical for supply chain management — yet often the leaders and managers of public health supply chains in low- and middle-income countries are former front-line health workers and have not been supported to develop these and other soft skills. This collaboration with USAID and the Global Fund is an opportunity to build the skills of immunization supply chain leaders who Gavi sees as a critical element to health systems strengthening. The announcement of this collaboration is especially timely, as public health supply chain leaders will be fundamental for the successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 and 2022.”
Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, expressed his support for such an innovative collaboration: “Efficient health supply chain systems are critical to fight pandemics and are a key component of resilient and sustainable systems for health. The STEP 2.0 programme offers a unique opportunity to help strengthen in-country supply chain systems and ensure lifesaving health products are delivered where they are needed the most. We look forward to working with GAVI and USAID on such an innovative programme.”
The success of the first STEP programme has increased the demand for course offerings and led to the development of the updated programme, which reflects the need for supply chain executives to share their experiences with the private sector and be able to drive transformational change and continuous improvement within supply chain systems.
Since the creation of STEP, UNICEF Supply Division has also played a key role, advising on the structure and content of the training curriculum and it currently convenes the STEP Steering Committee.
Going forward, PtD will work closely with donors, implementing partners and other key stakeholders to oversee and coordinate the rollout of the STEP 2.0 programme, which is set for early 2021.
